Top Law Schools

I am interested in.......

U Miami
Georgetown
UCLA
Southern Cal
NYU
San Diego
Pacific


On a 1-10........How screwed am I?

Yes, if law school is what you really want to do you should apply. Some schools don't have application fees and some have small fees--choose them. Those numbers would get you into Widener I think or maybe even a T3 schools that likes GPAs.

With that LSAT, I think you are out at all those schools except for Pacific and maybe San Diego. Also, with that LSAT you are likely looking at very little (if any) scholarship money. You have a golden GPA for an AA male. It wouldn't be right if I didn't tell you to retake and go to the school you truly want to attend the first time around.

You are obviously very smart. Depending on how bad you really want UCLA, NYU, or Georgetown, I would advice you to apply now but start to prepare immediately, again, for the LSAT. If you get in one of those three schools, then you can stop study. But more likely you will be waitlisted or rejected at those schools, so retake early next year and apply again. If you study hard for the LSAT for three months, I guarantee you will increase your score by at least 10 points--I did it, 15points.

Benchslapme wrote:You are obviously very smart. Depending on how bad you really want UCLA, NYU, or Georgetown, I would advice you to apply now but start to prepare immediately, again, for the LSAT. If you get in one of those three schools, then you can stop study. But more likely you will be waitlisted or rejected at those schools, so retake early next year and apply again. If you study hard for the LSAT for three months, I guarantee you will increase your score by at least 10 points--I did it, 15points.

Were there any specific alterations in your LSAT prep that you believe attributed to the 15 point jump? Any advice is helpful, thanks !

Thanks for the advice everybody, much appreciated. However, I am still open to suggestions.......

I just realized I did not study enough. I buckled up for three months and did nothing else but study. Every day except Sunday, I studied for at least 4 hours. Make sure you get the Bibles and do lot of Actual LSAT practice and review.

My personal guess is: Miami (probably in, but questionable how much $ you'll get), Georgetown (probably out), UCLA (probably out), USC (probably out, but who knows), NYU (almost certainly out), San Diego (probably in), Pacific (probably in). Keep in mind, this is nothing other than a guess.

That said, URM cycles are rather volatile. And if you are really and truly interested, at least try for the school you want. However, I really think even a single point jump might help a lot. Jumping 4 or 5 would help you a whole lot. Being in the 150s for some reason is much better than being in the 140s, just on paper. Many URMs get into the T-14 with high-150s every year.

On a different note, are there any other schools you would consider? There is a huge jump between San Diego/Pacific/Miami and USC on up. There are a number of decent schools in the middle of the mix there that are being ignored. And based off of the ones you listed, you do not appear to have a preference for where you go (apart from perhaps being on a coast?)

dude....take a year off and retake. If you put time and some dedication you can hit 160+.

IF you do get 160+, as an AA with that GPA then MANY doors will open up for you. It's worth the sacrifice

You Gotta Have Faith wrote:My personal guess is: Miami (probably in, but questionable how much $ you'll get), Georgetown (probably out), UCLA (probably out), USC (probably out, but who knows), NYU (almost certainly out), San Diego (probably in), Pacific (probably in). Keep in mind, this is nothing other than a guess.

That said, URM cycles are rather volatile. And if you are really and truly interested, at least try for the school you want. However, I really think even a single point jump might help a lot. Jumping 4 or 5 would help you a whole lot. Being in the 150s for some reason is much better than being in the 140s, just on paper. Many URMs get into the T-14 with high-150s every year.

On a different note, are there any other schools you would consider? There is a huge jump between San Diego/Pacific/Miami and USC on up. There are a number of decent schools in the middle of the mix there that are being ignored. And based off of the ones you listed, you do not appear to have a preference for where you go (apart from perhaps being on a coast?)

Definitely, I have no particular preference. What schools do you have in mind?

Thanks again to all who responded thus far. I really appreciate the recommendations !!!!!!

U Miami
Georgetown
UCLA
Southern Cal
NYU
San Diego
Pacific

Do you have work experience? You will be rejected by Georgetown, UCLA, USC, and NYU. If you have work experience, you might get accepted at University of Miami or waitlisted.

However, I would retake the LSAT. I got a full-tuition scholarship at a Top 30 with a 3.6/146, but I had work experience. I applied to Georgetown and UCLA and was rejected. If you can get a 155 and maybe even worked 1-2 years, you could get a full-ride at a T25.

sparty99 wrote:If you can get a 155 and maybe even worked 1-2 years, you could get a full-ride at a T25.

Um, how about this is just not true?

Philosopher King wrote:

sparty99 wrote:If you can get a 155 and maybe even worked 1-2 years, you could get a full-ride at a T25.

Um, how about this is just not true?

What would you know?

sparty99 wrote:

Philosopher King wrote:

sparty99 wrote:If you can get a 155 and maybe even worked 1-2 years, you could get a full-ride at a T25.

Um, how about this is just not true?

What would you know?

Only what I have been told. If this was true then I would be applying to one of these schools with my 155 LSAT.

Bro, at this (sort of late) stage in the game you won't be able to get into at most of the schools you listed. If (by any chance)you were able to you would be paying sticker which wouldn't be worth it in my opinion. Your best bet is to retake. As an AA male with a similar GPA and higher LSAT who has had tremendous success this cycle, I would say that it is way smarter to retake the LSAT in order 1) gain admission to these schools and 2) get some money out of them. PM me with any questions.

Philosopher King wrote:

sparty99 wrote:

Philosopher King wrote:

sparty99 wrote:If you can get a 155 and maybe even worked 1-2 years, you could get a full-ride at a T25.

Um, how about this is just not true?

What would you know?

Only what I have been told. If this was true then I would be applying to one of these schools with my 155 LSAT.

You're not black.

Gizmo wrote:You're not black.

Does skin color really help a person that much? Jeez, the trend used to be that more melanin equaled less consideration now it is the opposite. When will society come to its senses and stop discriminating on the basis of race, period? It was wrong in the 19th and early 20th century and it is wrong now. I admire Hillsdale College because they were founded in the mid-1840s and since day one did not discriminate on the basis of race. They have ardently maintained that policy up until the present day despite the constant attempts by the forces of racism to force them to discriminate over the years. They stood their ground and because they're not racists they can't take students receiving federal dollars. I wish some law schools would follow in their example. Too bad Hillsdale doesn't have a law school. Doesn't racial discrimination violate the Civil Rights Act?

Philosopher King wrote:

Gizmo wrote:You're not black.

Does skin color really help a person that much? Jeez, the trend used to be that more melanin equaled less consideration now it is the opposite. When will society come to its senses and stop discriminating on the basis of race, period? It was wrong in the 19th and early 20th century and it is wrong now. I admire Hillsdale College because they were founded in the mid-1840s and since day one did not discriminate on the basis of race. They have ardently maintained that policy up until the present day despite the constant attempts by the forces of racism to force them to discriminate over the years. They stood their ground and because they're not racists they can't take students receiving federal dollars. I wish some law schools would follow in their example. Too bad Hillsdale doesn't have a law school. Doesn't racial discrimination violate the Civil Rights Act?

an odd flame/troll, to be sure

horrorbusiness wrote:

Philosopher King wrote:

Gizmo wrote:You're not black.

Does skin color really help a person that much? Jeez, the trend used to be that more melanin equaled less consideration now it is the opposite. When will society come to its senses and stop discriminating on the basis of race, period? It was wrong in the 19th and early 20th century and it is wrong now. I admire Hillsdale College because they were founded in the mid-1840s and since day one did not discriminate on the basis of race. They have ardently maintained that policy up until the present day despite the constant attempts by the forces of racism to force them to discriminate over the years. They stood their ground and because they're not racists they can't take students receiving federal dollars. I wish some law schools would follow in their example. Too bad Hillsdale doesn't have a law school. Doesn't racial discrimination violate the Civil Rights Act?

an odd flame/troll, to be sure

And that's what advocating for a society where one is judged by character and abilities rather than skin color will get you these days. It was controversial when Frederick Douglass said it, it was controversial when Dr. King said it, and it is controversial when I say it. But I'm going to say it because it's the right philosophy to live by in my humble opinion.

Philosopher King wrote:

horrorbusiness wrote:

Philosopher King wrote:

Gizmo wrote:You're not black.

Does skin color really help a person that much? Jeez, the trend used to be that more melanin equaled less consideration now it is the opposite. When will society come to its senses and stop discriminating on the basis of race, period? It was wrong in the 19th and early 20th century and it is wrong now. I admire Hillsdale College because they were founded in the mid-1840s and since day one did not discriminate on the basis of race. They have ardently maintained that policy up until the present day despite the constant attempts by the forces of racism to force them to discriminate over the years. They stood their ground and because they're not racists they can't take students receiving federal dollars. I wish some law schools would follow in their example. Too bad Hillsdale doesn't have a law school. Doesn't racial discrimination violate the Civil Rights Act?

an odd flame/troll, to be sure

And that's what advocating for a society where one is judged by character and abilities rather than skin color will get you these days. It was controversial when Frederick Douglass said it, it was controversial when Dr. King said it, and it is controversial when I say it. But I'm going to say it because it's the right philosophy to live by in my humble opinion.

you're doing a disservice to these people by mentioning their names in your sad, naive, angry little screeds on this forum

Ugh...yet another one of our posts gets attacked with the affirmative action debate. Sweetie, if you have the LSAC fee waiver and your application components are essentially done, just apply. You miss 100% of the shots you do not take. If you don't get in - no money lost and you can always apply the following cycle

kmh504 wrote:Ugh...yet another one of our posts gets attacked with the affirmative action debate. Sweetie, if you have the LSAC fee waiver and your application components are essentially done, just apply. You miss 100% of the shots you do not take. If you don't get in - no money lost and you can always applying the following cycle

+1

Nothing beats a failure but a try...

rdnicholson10 wrote:

kmh504 wrote:Ugh...yet another one of our posts gets attacked with the affirmative action debate. Sweetie, if you have the LSAC fee waiver and your application components are essentially done, just apply. You miss 100% of the shots you do not take. If you don't get in - no money lost and you can always applying the following cycle

+1

Nothing beats a failure but a try...

Yes I agree. I am applying this cycle even though I have been convinced by the lovely TLS folks to retake the LSAT in June and apply next cycle. It can't hurt.

Go through the bibles several times. (LR & LG Bible) Take notes. Make note-cards. Go through the REA Logic Games book after this.
Take a practice test every day for a month after you have done this, leading up to the lsat. If you still do not have a score in the 160s, don't go to law school unless it is free or nearly free.

MHO