AA Male 3.7/158. Please review my cycle. NEED HELP Forum

[shawn11h]

Graduated from UC Berkeley with a 3.7. Good personal statement and diversity statement (came from a single mother). Two years of work experience at a law firm (law clerk). LSAT was a disappointment. Way below my PT scores but I didn't have the energy to retake this Oct.

What are my chances at these schools:

Vandy
Cornell
Georgetown
USC
UCLA
Texas
Chicago
Duke
Northwestern
Berkeley
Davis
Notre Dame

Should I even apply to T-20 schools with these numbers? I don't have any fee waivers and I was going to pay for apps to all these schools with savings I have accrued over the past year. PLEASE HELP.

[shawn11h]

Also, I have a LOR from a professor of law from Berkeley Law... who was one of my undergrad professors there.

[astrodoggy]

Nice GPA! You are probably in at most of the schools on that list. But definitely consider a retake, because a score in the 160-163 range would put you in strong contention at Columbia on down the t-14.

[shawn11h]

Thanks for the input. I was going to retake, but the deadline has passed for Oct. and I don't want to miss out on early applications. Do you think this is wise?

[EttaJ]

Thanks for the input. I was going to retake, but the deadline has passed for Oct. and I don't want to miss out on early applications. Do you think this is wise?

Seeing as how you are an AA male, I would think the whole early vs late application would pertain to you less if you have a great LSAT score. I still think you will get into certain schools on your list.

However with your great GPA, and an LSAT score increase of even two points, I see more money and more admittance prospects if you retake December.

[P-salms]

Pretty good shot at the schools on the list safe for UChi,Berk, and Duke where you'd be about 50-50(which is still good when it comes to admins).

Retake into low to mid 160s for $$$ and shot at T4

[shawn11h]

Wow. I really appreciate all the insight. So basically, you all seem to find it more prudent to retake in December rather than apply early with the 158. I just really wanted to ED to Cornell. I'm finding this choice very difficult to wrap up. I know that doing better on the LSAT would get me more aid I'm just very concerned with applying so late (January).

[twenty]

The difference between a 165 and a 158 for us may be the difference between our first jobs being $45K a year or $150K. Over ten years that's a million dollars.

And that's assuming that you're a 1st year associate for ten years... But I think the point has been adequately made by Worm. ;)

Shawn, don't be afraid to apply late. URMs under both medians don't get calls until April anyway. Maybe applying Feb 1st will screw you up, but plenty of URMs go to HYS after applying in January.

[PMan99]

LSAT: Way Below PT scores
GPA: Strong admit at H/S on down

Answer: Retake

[shawn11h]

Thanks Worm. I think you're right on that. I have a huge question:

Would it be possible for me to apply with the 158 to certain schools (Vandy, UT Austin, Pepperdine, Loyola) and then take the December LSAT and apply to the higher ranked schools with that score in January???

[shawn11h]

Good luck this Oct!!!

[BlaqBella]

OP, you owe it to yourself to retake. Don't sell yourself short and settle for less.

[lawprospie]

I'm mad you said you didn't have the energy for the Oct test. You have a nice GPA, like everyone said and I'm sure you're a smart kid. Also, you practiced a lot higher. Quit playing man....sign up for the Dec exam and start studying.

I have a GPA .09 lower than yours and I'm sure that will preclude me from Yale. If I had you're GPA, I'd be going even more h.a.m. for a great score

...though you could get into NU or Cornell with your current stats

[shawn11h]

Thanks everyone. I have decided to retake this December. Really grateful for the encouragement.

[lutcf2021]

Will you take the Oct test as well???

[shawn11h]

No I missed the registration date. I wouldn't have been ready anyway. I sat for the Dec 2011 test. It's been a while.

[lawprospie]

OP, I'm in the same situation as you...we basically have the same stats...i'll be taking in Dec.