Top Law Schools

Hey all,

I'm new to TLS and I need some serious advice. I applied very late in the cycle to a bunch of schools T30 and up. My numbers are 158/162/3.75. The best school I got into is Boston College with no $$ (yet). I am still waiting to hear from schools like Mich,Cornell,Penn,GT,UCLA and Fordham. I am starting to think that I wont get in at any of these schools. Should I settle for BC with no $ or should I apply very early next cycle? Will applying early next cycle significantly improve my chances at better schools or will I just be wasting a year of my life?

Also, do law schools frown upon students who reject their acceptance and reapply next cycle?

anyone?

I say reapply early (possibly retake considering you really don't have anything to lose by trying a third time if you give yourself enough prep).

Schools may decide to waitlist you if you decline their acceptance the year before. However if you add an addendum or tell them in your withdraw letter that you have some legitimate reason (e.g. "I'm not in a financial position to attend law school this year.") then they may think differently.

bk187 wrote:I say reapply early (possibly retake considering you really don't have anything to lose by trying a third time if you give yourself enough prep).

Schools may decide to waitlist you if you decline their acceptance the year before. However if you add an addendum or tell them in your withdraw letter that you have some legitimate reason (e.g. "I'm not in a financial position to attend law school this year.") then they may think differently.

Yeah I'll probably retake but I doubt that I'll get a much higher score..Thanks for the advice!

You have solid stats... The answer is pretty simple- Just wait and see if you like your results this cycle. If you do, then go to law school now. If not, retake and reapply next cycle (you may as well retake since the time advantage by itself isn't that much of a benefit, and you have little to lose by retaking one more time unless you're HYS or bust - which you don't seem to have much of a shot at with your current score anyway - so retake to see what happens).

I would wait and reapply early. Look at my LSN, I applied early with a similar LSAT and a lower GPA and got into all of the schools you mentioned on your list. Judging by my cycle, applying early really helps. For example, Upenn and UCLA admitted me before they had even notified some of their early decision candidates.

aliarrow wrote:You have solid stats... The answer is pretty simple- Just wait and see if you like your results this cycle. If you do, then go to law school now. If not, retake and reapply next cycle (you may as well retake since the time advantage by itself isn't that much of a benefit, and you have little to lose by retaking one more time unless you're HYS or bust - which you don't seem to have much of a shot at with your current score anyway - so retake to see what happens).

True..thanks for your advice

miracle2011 wrote:I would wait and reapply early. Look at my LSN, I applied early with a similar LSAT and a lower GPA and got into all of the schools you mentioned on your list. Judging by my cycle, applying early really helps. For example, Upenn and UCLA admitted me before they had even notified some of their early decision candidates.

Wow your cycle is inspirational..I hope I do as well (this cycle or the next)

Take the time to write a solid ps, apply early next cycle, and be pleasantly surprised by the schools that accept you.

12AngryMen wrote:Take the time to write a solid ps, apply early next cycle, and be pleasantly surprised by the schools that accept you.

Thanks for your advice!

Use the search filter on LSN to see how applicants with your numbers did. For URMs with 3.5-3.75 GPA and 161-162 LSAT the acceptances were at UT (ED), Mich/Berk, Mich, UChi/Cornell/UT, and UT (ED).

In other words, reapply. Applying early with a 162 should net you T13, and if you retake and get 164+ you'll likely even get some $$ from these schools.

Applying early is huge. Last year I applied late and was stuck on waitlists at 9 schools ranked between 20-40, whereas this year applied early and got T13. It's worth it.

Without scholarship money, your acceptance is little more than a very polite rejection.

12AngryMen wrote:Take the time to write a solid ps, apply early next cycle, and be pleasantly surprised by the schools that accept you.

TITCR. I applied this cycle with a 3.5/158 and ended up choosing between UVA and UPenn with various opportunities throughout the top 30. I trust you may have even better prospects especially if your resume is very good.

.

This is BC, not Harvard. The OP's stats are strong.

CanadianWolf wrote:This is BC, not Harvard. The OP's stats are strong.

You're correct. I did not get the full context of your post.