What are my chances with my GPA? Forum

[dprendergast1]

Hi,

I plan on taking the LSAT in June. I graduated from Georgia State with a 3.6 GPA, and currently Im testing at a 145 LSAT and still studying everyday (pitiful I know). I hate standardized tests, and always perform below my potential on them. I would really like to attend UGA, I think it is the best school for the money as a Georgia resident (14k a year), I wouldnt mind going to Ga State Law school for 10k a year either. No I do not plan to make a 145 on the Lsat in June, but im not going to fool myself like I will be jumping to a 160 plus either. I am hoping for at least a 155 on test day. I keep hearing about people being in situations where their LSAT scores are significantly higher than their GPA, but in my case, my GPA is my strength and my LSAT is my weakness. Is my GPA high enough for me to get away with scoring in the 150-155 range on test day? What would you say is the lowest LSAT score I would need to have a decent shot at a school like UGA or top 30 school?

Here are my school choices.

UGA, GA State, Fordham, Hofstra, St Johns, Brooklyn Law, Penn State, Temple, Rutgers NJ, Emory, NYU, and Suny Buffalo.

I either want to go to school in Georgia or in the New York area.



Thanks in advance!

[evilgenius]

Are you a URM?

[Ben2010]

Considering that your GPA is already below UGA's median (3.7 for the Class of 2012), I'd say you'd have to score in the low-to-mid 160's to have a shot there (LSAT median is 164).

I'd say that score range would probably apply to most of the Top 30 as well, although I don't know their medians off hand like I do UGA's.

[dprendergast1]

Yes I am a URM.

[evilgenius]

The formula is a little different for URM's. With your GPA and if you have a good personal statement I think you should aim for at least a 155 for UGA and a 158 for T30.

Here's my take on how you'd do with the schools you mentioned if you get a 155.

UGA - WL, out
GA State- In
Fordham- WL, out
Hofstra- In
St Johns- In
Brooklyn Law- WL, in
Penn State - in
Temple- in
Rutgers- in
Emory- WL, out
NYU- out
Suny Buffalo - In

According to LSP, if you get a 158 you may even have a chance at a T14 like Northwestern. Just food for thought.

[mailmanstalker]

Have you considered a tutor or taking an extense Kaplan or Princeton review class? It may really bump up your score and with your gpa as a urm you could maybe even consider some T20..

[dprendergast1]

Well, this is my second time studying for the test. The first time around, I took a Testmasters course and after seeing my scores, decided not to take the test. I took a year off and here I am studying again. So that is out of the question. In my opinion, I might be better off studying alone. I thought about a Private tutor and will reconsider one as it gets closer to June. I want to see how much I can improve on my own.

So far, Logic Games is my best section, Logical Reasoning next, and then Reading Comp my WORST. I am completley pitiful which makes me feel horrible since this is usually the easiest for most people.

I really hope I can get at least a 155 on test day or better. I know I am capable of doing well in a top 30 school if admitted, I am just crossing my fingers that my GPA and application can carry me!

[Sauer Grapes]

Get the powerscore bibles and use all three of them. Some say the RC bible isn't worth it, I disagree. It won't get you a perfect score on the RC if that just isn't your bag, but it'll get you quite a few more points than you already are. The tips and tricks it teaches you will help you.

[mailmanstalker]

Well, this is my second time studying for the test. The first time around, I took a Testmasters course and after seeing my scores, decided not to take the test. I took a year off and here I am studying again. So that is out of the question. In my opinion, I might be better off studying alone. I thought about a Private tutor and will reconsider one as it gets closer to June. I want to see how much I can improve on my own.

So far, Logic Games is my best section, Logical Reasoning next, and then Reading Comp my WORST. I am completley pitiful which makes me feel horrible since this is usually the easiest for most people.

I really hope I can get at least a 155 on test day or better. I know I am capable of doing well in a top 30 school if admitted, I am just crossing my fingers that my GPA and application can carry me!

I heard that people have had really bad luck with Testmasters(like I heard its kinda a scam...no personal knowledge just what Ive read on TLS).... I raised my score 17 points from Kaplan. RC was the place I most had problems so dont feel bad! Kaplan had a bunch of neat tricks for increasing your time on RC. You still have a lot of time left! Dont give up! The LSAT is a learned test. If you could squeeze out a 160 it could make a huge difference (Also in Scholly $$$$!!). Only a few more Q right can make a difference! Also if you dont do as well as you would have liked think about writting an addendum....

[dprendergast1]

I have all 3 of the Powerscore bibles, all of the PT tests, Kaplan Mastery, and The SuperPrep lol. I also have all materials from Kaplan given to me by a friend as well as my Testmaster course books Trust me, im trying.

My study plan was to do LG this month (March), LR (April) and RC (May).

So far Ive gone through Basic and Advanced Linear games, and im midway through Grouping games. Ive made 3 copies of almost every game from all the PTs in the specific category and have been testing myself and trying to improve each time. I plan to do the same with LR and the Kaplan Mastery next month.

Im also trying to take at least 2 full length tests a week. I work full time and it is so hard to stay on track.

My problem lies in concentrating and not letting the time aspect of the test make me completley forget tactics and strategy.

I do notice that out of my attempted questions on LR I am getting most of them right. The problem is I am not attempting at least half of them! I have to reread and reread questions because of my horrible concentration and nervousness.

As far as the Testmasters course, I wouldnt really say it was bad, it just wasnt for me, and maybe not worth the 1400 it cost me. I am more of a teach myself and find my own strategy type of person. Being in a class was annoying because when the majority of the class understood something I wasnt really motivated to stop and ask questions and then the class would just go on...Also I would say all the books are overrated. The PC Bibles appear way better and way more affordable.

[dprendergast1]

Never thought about an addendum....I will consider this now.

[mailmanstalker]

I believe people have posted examples of their addendums. Poke around other forums

[mailmanstalker]

Also I had a similar problem where I was spending a lot of time re reading Qs. My tutor said that if that happened skip to the next q and come back. Whether its hard/easy you get urself out of that panic re read mode. You will just make urself more nervous. Take a deep breath and move to the next q. they are all worth the same!