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Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:24 pm
by Hannahfox123
My undergraduate GPA = 3.45
Last 2 undergraduate semesters GPA = 4.00 (30 credit hours)
Last 3 undergraduate semesters GPA = 3.98 (43 credit hours)
Last 4 undergraduate semesters GPA = 3.79 (56 credit hours)
GPA is bad I know, but there are some other things to list.
My undergraduate GPA is over 178 credit hours.
I have a Bachelors of Science in Biology (minor in Chemistry) and another Bachelors of Science in Psychology (minor in Physics).
I have a PhD in Biomedical Sciences (from University of Michigan) focus of research is in Cancer Biology. GPA in all graduate school = 4.00
I can get excellent LOR's w/out question.
My Psychology major GPA = 4.0; That is, I earned an A in every Psychology course I took.
I want to go into Patent Law but I know new lawyers are having a lot of issues finding jobs so I don't want to even really consider it unless I have a chance at a top 20 school.
Is it possible with a 3.45 GPA (what kind of LSAT would I need?)
Also note, I took the LSAT my Junior year of college and got a 146 (would that score be ignored after 6 years have passed?)
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:26 pm
by jetlagz28
You need a new LSAT score before anyone can reasonably speculate. A score from that long ago won't count or be seen so no worries.
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:29 pm
by Hannahfox123
jetlagz28 wrote:You need a new LSAT score before anyone can reasonably speculate. A score from that long ago won't count or be seen so no worries.
What kind of score would I need? Think of it as a math problem
My portfolio + LSAT score = Top 20 Law School acceptance
LSAT = Top 20 Law School acceptance - My portfolio
That's good they wont consider my old LSAT score;
I didn't study for it =P
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:29 pm
by scribelaw
Probably a 167-168 to get into the lower end of the T20...A 170+ for a chance at the T14.
Good luck.
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:31 pm
by soullesswonder
If you applied to all schools 10-20 without regard to location or cost, I think you could get an acceptance with a 166 (most likely at WUSTL). Otherwise, I concur with scribelaw.
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:38 pm
by MoS
Only your first Bachelor's degree will count for your gpa. Maybe you got them at the same time, if not you will have to re-estimate you gpa. Yes, after 6 years your old lsat won't count. And Hight 160's. Like 168-169. WashU likes splitters (High Lsat, lower GPA)
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:40 pm
by 98234872348
sorry bro, no chance.
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:43 pm
by kalvano
Doesn't WUSTL buy high LSAT's? Like anything over 167?
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:46 pm
by schnoodle
with your background, you might have a great shot at emory. their ti:ger program in conjunction with tech is outstanding. the gpa is trouble... but i think 167+ would get you in with your resume and story.
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:48 pm
by sluguy14
kalvano wrote:Doesn't WUSTL buy high LSAT's? Like anything over 167?
yeah, more or less. With the OP's GPA, anything 167 or above would just about guarantee admission, and probably at least some scholarship money. A 166 would give him a very good shot of getting in, but shoot for that 167+ and you're golden. If you can manage a 170, they'll throw all kinds of money your way.
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:53 pm
by UFMatt
I also have a PhD in Biomedical Sciences. Your undergrad GPA is slightly higher than mine. I got a 168 and was offered scholarships to Emory and Minnesota (also got into BU). I couldn't crack Vanderbilt or higher though. With a 3.45 you'd probably want at least a 167 to get into T20. Good luck.
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:56 pm
by eldizknee
.
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:08 pm
by singingvontrapp
jetlagz28 wrote:You need a new LSAT score before anyone can reasonably speculate.
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:10 pm
by beef wellington
Your GPA isn't horrible but obviously it won't be over any T20 medians which is all that matters. Therefore you'll only really have a shot anywhere that you're over the LSAT median.
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:14 pm
by ec2xs
A 167 got you into Wash U this year. With the PhD background and grade trend, I think a 166 would put you in the top 20 for sure.
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:36 pm
by Hannahfox123
Cool, That's what I wanted to hear.
Now I just have to get a high LSAT =D
Anybody know off the top of their head what percentile a 170 would be (180 is perfect right?)
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:39 pm
by Cupidity
you have a solid shot at boston university if you can pull a 167+, they have a top health law program and their biomed engineering is also top ranked. I imagine if you want to do health/science patent law, it would be an excellent place.
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 12:00 am
by zozin
http://www.lawschoolpredictor.com/wp-co ... ograms.htm
Put in your GPA, enter possible LSAT scores. When the school of your dreams has "Admit' next to it, then you know what you roughly need to get on the LSAT. Add 1-2 points to the score, just to be safe.
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 12:09 am
by r6_philly
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 12:19 am
by Jacktone
Hannahfox123 wrote:Cool, That's what I wanted to hear.
Now I just have to get a high LSAT =D
Anybody know off the top of their head what percentile a 170 would be (180 is perfect right?)
Here are how some of the numbers you care about stack up currently in terms of percentiles:
180=99.9
170=97.5
167=94.9
146=29.6
I'm surprised no one here has cautioned you after seeing your previous LSAT score. It's true that it won't be a factor in your admission, and I know you said that you didn't study. However, unless there were significant factors affecting your ability to perform on the test day or your ability to perform on standardized tests has dramatically improved over the past six years, I imagine you will continue to score around 146 on your first few practice tests as you begin studying this time around. From 146 to 167 is a hell of a long way to have to climb. I'm not saying that it can't be done; I just don't envy your position.
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 12:25 am
by No1ustad
166+ will give u a chance at T20, 170+ for a good chance at T14, 173+ shoe-in T14
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 12:28 am
by r6_philly
Jacktone wrote:
I'm surprised no one here has cautioned you after seeing your previous LSAT score. It's true that it won't be a factor in your admission, and I know you said that you didn't study. However, unless there were significant factors affecting your ability to perform on the test day or your ability to perform on standardized tests has dramatically improved over the past six years, I imagine you will continue to score around 146 on your first few practice tests as you begin studying this time around. From 146 to 167 is a hell of a long way to have to climb. I'm not saying that it can't be done; I just don't envy your position.
I think with that kind of GPA lately, and with grad work, you just assume that something happened with the first test. Maybe he took the test cold without proper prep at all... Maybe he reads better now after all the extra course work. It is hard to discount someone who has earned this much academic achievement after the test.
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 12:30 am
by r6_philly
No1ustad wrote:166+ will give u a chance at T20, 170+ for a good chance at T14, 173+ shoe-in T14
There are no shoe-ins at T14. A 80% chance yes but not a shoe-in, you just never know.
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 12:43 am
by MURPH
Take a LSAT prep course. Kaplan has a poor reputation. The people who run Testmasters seem to be nuts but their course is outstanding. (I took this course) Blueprint has positive reviews. GetPrepped! is crap. (I taught for them.)
You should commit to studying 4 - 5 hours per night, 5 - 6 nights per week from now until the June LSAT.
Re: Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?
Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 2:38 pm
by japika
MURPH wrote:Take a LSAT prep course. Kaplan has a poor reputation. The people who run Testmasters seem to be nuts but their course is outstanding. (I took this course) Blueprint has positive reviews. GetPrepped! is crap. (I taught for them.)
You should commit to studying 4 - 5 hours per night, 5 - 6 nights per week from now until the June LSAT.
Sounds good. I am pretty good at the games, but the critical reading thing is what I bombed first time around (mind you I didn't practice =/); Hopefully reading all those scientific articles will help with that =D