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Hi all, I am currently in a dilemma and would appreciate any advice that TLSers might have.

I am both AA and Hispanic, I am due to graduate in May with a 3.5 LSAC GPA. I have two options as I am double majored (completing one major this May) I can do two more semesters and to try and raise up my GPA (lowest possible 3.6, highest possible 3.7 with A+s) or I can take that year off to study for the LSAT full time.

Personally, I would really like to graduate this May and hunker down and study the LSAT, I've already gathered all the materials suggested on this site.

I would like to go to either HYS preferably H, but I know that GPA is below their median.

Any advice?

This is going to sound like a cop out answer, but I would do both if I were you. I'd stay in school to raise my GPA by completing the second major and I'd also use whatever other time I had to study my butt off for the LSAT. Don't settle for getting a score you aren't happy with. Take a prep class, do tons of practice problems/tests, and retake the exam if necessary.

If you make it to the 3.6+/170+ mark, you'll have a very strong chance at Harvard and Stanford. You could get in with a 3.5- many people have- but the higher your GPA, the better your chances, especially as an URM.

GPA and LSAT score are by far the biggest factors in law school admissions. If you can still raise both, given your high goals, I think you'd be silly not to try.

Yeah. I'd do both. Also, more than 6 months studying for LSAT will burn you out. Furthermore, getting some WE while studying for the LSAT an applying to schools so you aren't a straight k-JD is also credited.

Thanks for responding. I know this is really entering the realm of speculation, but what if I only check the box for AA instead of AA AND Hispanic? I'm wondering if checking both categories somehow diminishes the boost than if I were purely AA.

loldruid wrote:Thanks for responding. I know this is really entering the realm of speculation, but what if I only check the box for AA instead of AA AND Hispanic? I'm wondering if checking both categories somehow diminishes the boost than if I were purely AA.

Maybe somebody actually URM should tell ya, but I can't think of how it could diminish the boost...

loldruid wrote:Thanks for responding. I know this is really entering the realm of speculation, but what if I only check the box for AA instead of AA AND Hispanic? I'm wondering if checking both categories somehow diminishes the boost than if I were purely AA.

You need to check BOTH boxes that apply to you. Don't lie and select only AA, if you also identify as another race. You'll still get the AA boost.

loldruid wrote:Thanks for responding. I know this is really entering the realm of speculation, but what if I only check the box for AA instead of AA AND Hispanic? I'm wondering if checking both categories somehow diminishes the boost than if I were purely AA.

Ugh I hate when ppl try to game the system. Be truthful. You are really going to consider starting off your legal career by being dishonest on your apps for a boost?

loldruid wrote:Thanks for responding. I know this is really entering the realm of speculation, but what if I only check the box for AA instead of AA AND Hispanic? I'm wondering if checking both categories somehow diminishes the boost than if I were purely AA.

I'm both, and I checked both. I couldn't say how it has affected my cycle because I've yet to hear from most schools, but--assuming that you raise your GPA to a 3.7 (as I think you should) and do reasonably well on the LSAT--we'll have similar numbers. From what verrrry little evidence on LSN there is available, you should probably expect to receive the "purely AA" boost. Some have speculated that being a double-URM may be an additional soft, and I think it makes for an interesting DS, imo, so I don't know why you'd lie about it anyway.

ETA: I'm assuming you're AA+MA.

OP aim for a 170+ on the LSAT if you want to solidify your chances of getting into the schools you want. However, I've seen URMs this cycle get accepted with 165+ and based on LSN, most AA's get into Harvard with a 165+. Stanford and Yale are more unpredictable.

I think that not only would checking both Black and Hispanic not diminish your boost, but that it would increase it.

Nail the LSAT.