Top Law Schools

Hi All,

I am just about to begin prepping for the LSAT, and honestly have no idea if I am way off base with the schools I am applying to given the application climate. Me: 3.39 Wharton/Penn undergrad GPA, shooting for a 170 on the lsat (taking a Testmasters course for June date, got a 157 on a diagnostic with no prep), have been working in Bogota this last year and am URM with a strong international work history, good LOC, and a focused reason on why I want to go to law school. I know my gpa is somewhat low, but honestly ugrad did beat me up somewhat. Are any of the following schools realistic with a 170 LSAT score?

Hastings, Irvine, UCLA, USC, Boalt, Davis, Univ of Miami, UVA?

I am assuming ASU, and Univ of San Diego would be good admit fits based on numbers I have seen. I grew up in California, don't know if it makes a difference if I list my permanent address in CA. At this point I would love to know if I am in lala land with my list of schools or if I should reasses my long term goals.

I'd really appreciate any thoughts/insights/comments/suggestions you all might have!

Thanks

On your LSAT, don't rely on a class. Buy the PowerScore Bibles and go through all the old tests. Do a bunch of full-length practice tests under timed conditions. Classes are kind of a waste, in my opinion.

If you get a 170, and you're a URM, you'll have several options in the T14.

With a 170 the only maybe is Boalt.. that will also get you lots of money at some of the other schools.

scribelaw wrote:On your LSAT, don't rely on a class. Buy the PowerScore Bibles and go through all the old tests. Do a bunch of full-length practice tests under timed conditions. Classes are kind of a waste, in my opinion.

If you get a 170, and you're a URM, you'll have several options in the T14.

LSAT courses can be valuable in that they help keep you honest and essentially force you to study. Also, the instructor can give you feedback and you get to learn from the reasoning patterns of other people. I thought my prep course was useful (at least for the first few weeks). After that, the supplemental material and practice tests were all I needed.

Also, I echo scribelaw's comment about the T-14 (170 + 3.4 + URM + prestigious undergrad).

the course was a bday/holiday gift for the entire year from my parents. its paid for. i need the focus and to be kept honest like you said.

elkapitan87 wrote:Hi All,

I am just about to begin prepping for the LSAT, and honestly have no idea if I am way off base with the schools I am applying to given the application climate. Me: 3.39 Wharton/Penn undergrad GPA, shooting for a 170 on the lsat (taking a Testmasters course for June date, got a 157 on a diagnostic with no prep), have been working in Bogota this last year and am URM with a strong international work history, good LOC, and a focused reason on why I want to go to law school. I know my gpa is somewhat low, but honestly ugrad did beat me up somewhat. Are any of the following schools realistic with a 170 LSAT score?

Hastings, Irvine, UCLA, USC, Boalt, Davis, Univ of Miami, UVA?

I am assuming ASU, and Univ of San Diego would be good admit fits based on numbers I have seen. I grew up in California, don't know if it makes a difference if I list my permanent address in CA. At this point I would love to know if I am in lala land with my list of schools or if I should reasses my long term goals.

I'd really appreciate any thoughts/insights/comments/suggestions you all might have!

Thanks

Look at law schools, but don't set your heart on a list of law schools until you HAVE the LSAT score in your hand. Easier said than done I know, but I can guarentee that when you get that score (be it higher or lower than your 170 target) you will have to completely redo your list anyway. By the way, I strongly second using the bibles. I used only the AR bible and climbed 6 points largely because of it.

South American according to TLS commentators does not count as URM. how does this change my prospects?

This calculator will let you plug in various LSAT scores (along with your GPA) and shows your chances at all the different schools.

http://www.lawschoolpredictor.com/

Obviously it's not 100% accurate, but it will give you the best information available about where you may or may not get in with a particular GPA/LSAT combo.

Boalt is probably out and UVA is a reach. Everything else is very doable with that application. Don't foul up the PS and you should be golden.