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Black male 3.54 what lsat score will i need?

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 7:36 pm
by paradoxpredator
Hi, I am an African-American male applying to law school. I am considering applying to the T20. These are my top choices in order of choice:

Georgetown
Cornell
Michigan
Texas-Austin
Norte Dame
USC

I think I have strong Softs. Please forgive me if I come off as bragging, but I feel this information helps. I interned for the Speaker of the House, I have worked during undergrad, I have volunteered for food and homeless shelters, I Interned in Washington D.C. for a federal agency. I participated in extracurricular activities and clubs at my university. I interned for the Mayor of my city, as well as a governor's campaign. I served on my University's student government. I want to get into politics and potentially become a congressman or senator (which I will tie in with my political internships in my personal statement) so you can see why Georgetown is my number one choice. I would aim for HYS but, I believe my GPA is too low for their standards and I know I am not going to get a 170 on the LSAT.

I have a 3.54 GPA. I made my University's Dean's List 4 consecutive years in a row (twice in one year). I am wondering what LSAT score will I need to gain admittance to law school?


Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

Re: Black male 3.54 what lsat score will i need?

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 7:38 pm
by sparty99
160-165+

Re: Black male 3.54 what lsat score will i need?

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 9:11 pm
by twenty
With a decent (160+) LSAT score, you have a good shot at all those schools. In the 168+ range, you'll probably be looking at substantial money from T14.

That said, however, I would seriously reconsider law school. It sounds like you're really into politics, which is awesome, but law school nowadays is not the place for that. Consider that less than half of congress has a JD, and that a proportional number has MBAs, MPPs, advanced degrees in econ/polisci, etc.

A JD is only if you want to be an attorney. For the majority of folks that go to a T14 school, that means 3-4 years of biglaw in NYC to pay off law school debts (and that's if you're lucky). It doesn't sound like you want this. You're way better off working your way up the ladder in DC as a staffer than taking on anywhere from 40k (assuming full ride tuition) to 220k (assuming sticker) in debt. Or, if you really want to go to school for an advanced degree, spend your energy on the GRE and pick up a Georgetown MPP in two years for far less money, or better yet, Harvard/Princeton MPP (Princeton being basically free).

Re: Black male 3.54 what lsat score will i need?

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 9:26 pm
by paradoxpredator
twentypercentmore wrote:With a decent (160+) LSAT score, you have a good shot at all those schools. In the 168+ range, you'll probably be looking at substantial money from T14.

That said, however, I would seriously reconsider law school. It sounds like you're really into politics, which is awesome, but law school nowadays is not the place for that. Consider that less than half of congress has a JD, and that a proportional number has MBAs, MPPs, advanced degrees in econ/polisci, etc.

A JD is only if you want to be an attorney. For the majority of folks that go to a T14 school, that means 3-4 years of biglaw in NYC to pay off law school debts (and that's if you're lucky). It doesn't sound like you want this. You're way better off working your way up the ladder in DC as a staffer than taking on anywhere from 40k (assuming full ride tuition) to 220k (assuming sticker) in debt. Or, if you really want to go to school for an advanced degree, spend your energy on the GRE and pick up a Georgetown MPP in two years for far less money, or better yet, Harvard/Princeton MPP (Princeton being basically free).
I see your point, however, I really want to work on the staff of a congressman or senator as one of their staff attorneys, which is why I want to get the law degree, then work my way up the ranks. I have a interest in immigration law and I want to be apart of legislative team. I thought about working for the Office of the Legislative Counsel for the House. I want to pursue a joint degree (JD/MPP). I know some MPP programs will take the LSAT in lieu of the GRE if one is applying for a joint degree. Law school debt does fear me, however.

Re: Black male 3.54 what lsat score will i need?

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 9:27 pm
by BruceWayne
A 3.54 is high enough to get you into Harvard if you can score a 168 or so. Even in this economy going to Harvard law with the long term goal of being a politician is not a bad route at all. Outside of Harvard though, I agree with the above poster and would be VERY wary of attending law school without a more focused goal than that.

Re: Black male 3.54 what lsat score will i need?

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 9:38 pm
by bizzybone1313
I have almost the same GPA. My only reason for pursuing a law degree is to get into politics as well. I have a friend (black female) that was admitted into HLS with a 3.5ish GPA and 163ish LSAT. The problem with a MPP, MPA and other master's degree is that they do not garner as much respect as a law degree does. That is why I have pretty much declined pursuing one of those as an option. Even if politics does not work out, you will have a useful JD assuming you end up at a good school.

Re: Black male 3.54 what lsat score will i need?

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 11:51 pm
by paradoxpredator
BruceWayne wrote:A 3.54 is high enough to get you into Harvard if you can score a 168 or so. Even in this economy going to Harvard law with the long term goal of being a politician is not a bad route at all. Outside of Harvard though, I agree with the above poster and would be VERY wary of attending law school without a more focused goal than that.
How can I work as a staff attorney or work on the Legislative Counsel without a law degree? I do want to practice law. I know some law firms have public policy and political law departments. I would love to do something like that to gain experience and then embark on working in Congress. I want to help lawmakers draft polices and bills. I can't do that if I don't know the law. This is why Texas is on my list. They have a reputable constitutional law program.

Re: Black male 3.54 what lsat score will i need?

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 11:53 pm
by paradoxpredator
bizzybone1313 wrote:I have almost the same GPA. My only reason for pursuing a law degree is to get into politics as well. I have a friend (black female) that was admitted into HLS with a 3.5ish GPA and 163ish LSAT. The problem with a MPP, MPA and other master's degree is that they do not garner as much respect as a law degree does. That is why I have pretty much declined pursuing one of those as an option. Even if politics does not work out, you will have a useful JD assuming you end up at a good school.
Wow, that is really encouraging to hear. I figured my GPA was a little weak for them. i guess if I get above a 160 I may have a chance...may.

Re: Black male 3.54 what lsat score will i need?

Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 12:14 am
by bizzybone1313
Your softs are more impressive than hers. She applied in 2007; I am assuming this cycle is going to be even better for pretty much everyone, because applications are down. With that GPA, I would start at Y and work your way down the T-14, assuming you score decently on the LSAT. Remember- a lot of people do not apply to the super elite law schools, because they assume they are not going to get in. To me, it is worth the $300-$500 to find out. Wondering for the next 50 years if you would have been admitted to YHS had you applied would not be a good feeling.

Re: Black male 3.54 what lsat score will i need?

Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 10:00 am
by BlaqBella
paradoxpredator wrote:I would aim for HYS but, I believe my GPA is too low for their standards and I know I am not going to get a 170 on the LSAT.
Oh, you do? You have the ability to foresee into the future on what you will score? Where they do that at?

You're already lost the battle and limit your potential with that comment. The LSAT is conquerable. Know that you are capable of getting a 170 or better on the LSATs. You just need to put in the work.

Re: Black male 3.54 what lsat score will i need?

Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 3:23 pm
by paradoxpredator
BlaqBella wrote:
paradoxpredator wrote:I would aim for HYS but, I believe my GPA is too low for their standards and I know I am not going to get a 170 on the LSAT.
Oh, you do? You have the ability to foresee into the future on what you will score? Where they do that at?

You're already lost the battle and limit your potential with that comment. The LSAT is conquerable. Know that you are capable of getting a 170 or better on the LSATs. You just need to put in the work.
I'm just trying to keep it real and not give myself unrealistic expectations. Ya feel me?

Re: Black male 3.54 what lsat score will i need?

Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 3:29 pm
by BlaqBella
paradoxpredator wrote:
BlaqBella wrote:
paradoxpredator wrote:I would aim for HYS but, I believe my GPA is too low for their standards and I know I am not going to get a 170 on the LSAT.
Oh, you do? You have the ability to foresee into the future on what you will score? Where they do that at?

You're already lost the battle and limit your potential with that comment. The LSAT is conquerable. Know that you are capable of getting a 170 or better on the LSATs. You just need to put in the work.
I'm just trying to keep it real and not give myself unrealistic expectations. Ya feel me?
Unrealistic expectations??? Never that, my brother. Don't say the sky is the limit when no one but yourself placed such limits on your own potential.

Work at it and utilize the resources provided to you on this forum. Feel free to PM me should you require more information on study material, etc.

Re: Black male 3.54 what lsat score will i need?

Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:34 pm
by paradoxpredator
BlaqBella wrote:
paradoxpredator wrote:
BlaqBella wrote:
paradoxpredator wrote:I would aim for HYS but, I believe my GPA is too low for their standards and I know I am not going to get a 170 on the LSAT.
Oh, you do? You have the ability to foresee into the future on what you will score? Where they do that at?

You're already lost the battle and limit your potential with that comment. The LSAT is conquerable. Know that you are capable of getting a 170 or better on the LSATs. You just need to put in the work.
I'm just trying to keep it real and not give myself unrealistic expectations. Ya feel me?
Unrealistic expectations??? Never that, my brother. Don't say the sky is the limit when no one but yourself placed such limits on your own potential.

Work at it and utilize the resources provided to you on this forum. Feel free to PM me should you require more information on study material, etc.
Good Lookin' playa