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My stats are 2.7 (huge upward trend) and LSAT is 170 (retake). I am considering taking an extra year off because of how late I retook the LSAT, and I'm wondering what is the best possible school I can get into. LSP says that I have a shot at Cornell, but not much of one. Also, my URM status is dubious (I'm Cuban), and although that is definitely Hispanic, I don't know how much it helps. If I were to apply on Day 1 next fall, write a fantastic diversity statement, ED to Cornell, and do everything else to maximize my chances, do I have a chance? What about other schools in that range?

I'd send out apps to most of the T14. That's a solid score and you might get some URM boost on the GPA. Certainly can't hurt.

You're not a URM. But with you're numbers I definitely think you have a decent shot at Cornell not so much at the rest of the t14, your GPA is way too low.

newyorker88 wrote:You're not a URM. But with you're numbers I definitely think you have a decent shot at Cornell not so much at the rest of the t14, your GPA is way too low.

He has a shot at Northwestern if he applied early.

Gamecubesupreme wrote:

newyorker88 wrote:You're not a URM. But with you're numbers I definitely think you have a decent shot at Cornell not so much at the rest of the t14, your GPA is way too low.

He has a shot at Northwestern if he applied early.

Not without VERY GOOD work experience.

Hattori Hanzo wrote:

Gamecubesupreme wrote:

newyorker88 wrote:You're not a URM. But with you're numbers I definitely think you have a decent shot at Cornell not so much at the rest of the t14, your GPA is way too low.

He has a shot at Northwestern if he applied early.

Not without VERY GOOD work experience.

Actually NU's thing seems to be wanting 1 year of WE, it doesn't seem to matter too much where it came from. The theory is that just having WE in general makes you more responsible and aware of the real world.

With 1 year of WE, OP should definitely ED to NU.

My work experience sucks...I haven't found a real job in almost a year, and have been self-employed for most of that time.

Reach - WUSTL, GW
Target - Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Alabama, W&L, Davis

I'm not sure how Northwestern views self-employment (or exactly what you are referring to), but if you have been making money living independently I think it is still worth a shot to ED there. If it's entrepreneurial I think it might look good actually. Personally I think your shot at Cornell is highly unlikely, but I think it is worth it to apply EA there. Still, I think both of these are super reaches.

Other than that I agree with holydonkey's list.

Why are there so many Cubans on TLS?

CMDantes wrote:Why are there so many Cubans on TLS?

Because a lot of white people read TLS and then go "I'm 1/16 Cuban, so I'm going to start identifying as Cuban now and put Hispanic on my application!"

vanwinkle wrote:

CMDantes wrote:Why are there so many Cubans on TLS?

Because a lot of white people read TLS and then go "I'm 1/16 Cuban, so I'm going to start identifying as Cuban now and put Hispanic on my application!"

Well screw them, I was born there and it sucked.

CMDantes wrote:Well fuck them, I was born there and it sucked.

That sounds like the great start of a diversity statement.

vanwinkle wrote:

CMDantes wrote:Well fuck them, I was born there and it sucked.

That sounds like the great start of a diversity statement.

I've actually written what I think is a compelling diversity statement.

Care to read?

Edit to apologize to OP for thread derail.

Like others have mentioned, you won't get the same kind of admissions boost as 'real' URMs get but you should definitely write a diversity statement and hope for the best. With a 170 you should have a shot at UT.

However, my LSAT teacher-guy got a 177 LSAT, had 2.9 GPA, non-URM, in-state, and got waitlisted at UT. So I don't think they're too friendly to sub 3.0s. He did apply rather late, though.

vanwinkle wrote:

CMDantes wrote:Why are there so many Cubans on TLS?

Because a lot of white people read TLS and then go "I'm 1/16 Cuban, so I'm going to start identifying as Cuban now and put Hispanic on my application!"

Hah. Thank you. That's the funniest thing I've heard all week.