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3.7 UG GPA and 166 LSAT score (took 3 times)

I grew up in Orange County and attended UG here, and I'm trying to decide between Loyola or UCI.
COA for UCI would be approx 80k for all three years (including living expenses) while COA for Loyola would be around 60k for all three years (including living expenses). UCI is offering half of my tuition paid, while Loyola has offered nearly all of my tuition to be covered. I want to practice in OC in the future, most likely not in biglaw. Loyola is appealing due to the idea of living in LA for three years, but I know that UCI has a higher employment rate based on the LST Score Reports; ultimately, I want to make the decision that would give me the best employment prospects and best overall experience for my three years of law school.
I'm also wait listed for USC and UCLA, both of which I would choose over my current options. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated here!

You said you likely don't want to practice in biglaw. What kind of law do you think you want to practice?

Wait 2 years do not waste a 3.7. Why risk 80k for not big law at a school which employment outcomes are relatively unknown. Would you rather be a lawyer for 40 years from one of these 2 schools or a lawyer from T14/UCLA for 38 years?

cavalier1138 wrote:You said you likely don't want to practice in biglaw. What kind of law do you think you want to practice?

I'm open to anything else really, but I'd prefer being at a small or mid-sized firm. Environmental law seems interesting but I know that's kind of a niche.

joeyc328 wrote:Wait 2 years do not waste a 3.7. Why risk 80k for not big law at a school which employment outcomes are relatively unknown. Would you rather be a lawyer for 40 years from one of these 2 schools or a lawyer from T14/UCLA for 38 years?

I get what you mean, but I really do not want to wait 2 years. I was PTing higher than a 166 but it just didn't translate into a better score after 3 tries, and I think it's really unlikely that my score would increase. I would prefer going to UCLA/USC over my current options; if I got off the WL and went to one of these two schools, I could potentially get help from family and put together the money I've saved to cover approx. half of the tuition for either UCLA or USC.

Did you apply really late or something? I would think that UCLA/USC (maybe even with some money) should be on the table with your numbers.

I also feel like something is amiss.

If you're not willing to wait two years, I think it would be worth reapplying this upcoming cycle. This is one of those rare occasions where I might suggest using an admissions consultant because it appears something didn't work for you this time around.

I don't really see much of a downside. It is highly unlikely that UCI and Loyola won't give similar awards next year, and it doesn't appear that either of them are where you really want to go. Besides, another year to see where UCI lands will give you valuable information. The school tried so hard to maintain decent numbers, but was forced to cave in. I'm curious to see where it eventually settles once all the pomp and circumstance fully dissipates.

UCI in case you decide you dontk now shit about law and what you wanted as a 0L and want more options as a 2nd year law student (which you will).

Shootin wrote:Did you apply really late or something? I would think that UCLA/USC (maybe even with some money) should be on the table with your numbers.

I went complete in mid-January because I took the December LSAT.

JohannDeMann wrote:UCI in case you decide you dontk now shit about law and what you wanted as a 0L and want more options as a 2nd year law student (which you will).

Thanks. Would you mind explaining why you think UCI would provide more options? I know that their employment score on LST is higher than Loyola's, but I figured that they are more or less the same considering the fact that a significant portion of that comes from jobs funded by UCI. My concern is whether the job prospects at Loyola can get me back to OC after graduation.

papaya15 wrote:

JohannDeMann wrote:UCI in case you decide you dontk now shit about law and what you wanted as a 0L and want more options as a 2nd year law student (which you will).

Thanks. Would you mind explaining why you think UCI would provide more options? I know that their employment score on LST is higher than Loyola's, but I figured that they are more or less the same considering the fact that a significant portion of that comes from jobs funded by UCI. My concern is whether the job prospects at Loyola can get me back to OC after graduation.

more biglaw. more public service employees. more clerkships. if you want a job other than a small law firm, UCI will probably give you about 50% more of a chance to accomplish that.

This is really odd, current student at USC/UCLA and I got in with a 3.3 and 169. I also got into a few higher ranked school but nothing in the T10 so I picked my current one because of $$. I also know for a fact that incoming students at my current school had crappier scores than what you have. Did you apply really late or rushed your personal statement? My recommendation is to wait another year and try again.

I agree with the others saying reapply. I would have expected acceptances, and probably money, from USC and UCLA for you. Consider applying again (especially with an admissions consultant).