3.69 / 166 / Midwest-South advice? Forum

[chrisnashville]

- My LSAT (166) score jumped about 6 points from my PT average. I imagine I could re-take in October and see if I couldn't get a few more questions closer to a 170 - I didn't study much after my 40 hours / freelance work / week.

- I went to a public UG that averages a 151 LSAT, grabbed a 3.69 in journalism (well-regarded j-school, but journalism nonetheless). Been out of school working past 3 years (will be 4 by Fall '11) in news. That said, where ought I be looking?

I want to work in Nashville or Cincinnati if I can help it. Midwest/South otherwise. Not too interested in moving Northeast or out West. Particularly not looking to rack up the debt..

- I'm a Tennessee resident. UT-K has very low in-state, and my score ought to get me some more cash. That's a big plus.
- lawschoolpredictor.com seems to think I have a shot at schools in the lower half of the T14/20, but a glance at LSN seems to think otherwise (or, at least, a lot of WLs). I'll likely apply to Vanderbilt, Notre Dame and WUSL, and imagine you guys will say I won't make the cut.
- Ohio State / Cincinnati / IU-Bloomington also are on my radar.

Any others I should consider? Ones I should cut? Just like a little advice before I start the application process. Thanks guys.

[chrisnashville]

bump?

[lawduder]

Emory? Your LSAT is at-median according to the c/o 2012 data and your GPA is above.

[thebookcollector]

I think applying to Vandy, WUSTL, and Notre Dame is a good idea.

Vandy will probably result in a WL, but you can fight to get in off it. WUSTL probably will too... if you look at law school numbers, they generally only accept 167 and above unless URM... it is a pretty well-defined line. I think Notre Dame is your best shot... they truly do take a "whole person" view, and even though you're a point below their LSAT median, your GPA (and any good work or volunteer experience) can make up for it.

I'd also look at Emory. Maybe use Tulane as a backup.

[joeshmo39]

I think you have to look at OSU. It's a good school that is Ohio's flagship state school. I think any school you apply to outside the top 30 or so is going to garner you big scholarship money. If you know where you want to be then it's probably worth going to a big state school. I don't think I'd take some money at WUSTL over big money at OSU to work in Cincinatti. Apply to those schools of course but I think you should try to to school near a city you want to work in because while your numbers are good, they are still good regional school numbers so I wouldn't focuse too much on the rankings, especially between OSU and ND/WUSTL.

[thebookcollector]

I think applying to Vandy, WUSTL, and Notre Dame is a good idea.

Vandy will probably result in a WL, but you can fight to get in off it. WUSTL probably will too... if you look at law school numbers, they generally only accept 167 and above unless URM... it is a pretty well-defined line. I think Notre Dame is your best shot... they truly do take a "whole person" view, and even though you're a point below their LSAT median, your GPA (and any good work or volunteer experience) can make up for it.

I'd also look at Emory. Maybe use Tulane as a backup.

I thought some more about this... I'd also at UIUC to the list. They, similar to Notre Dame, take a look at LSAT, GPA, and other factors, other than solely or primarily LSAT. Also, UIUC is generous with scholarship money.

The MOST IMPORTANT piece of advice I can give is to APPLY EARLY. I can't stress this enough. For a borderline candidate, early is always better. I applied late in the cycle, and that didn't work out well for me with certain schools (fortunately not any I actually wanted to attend). Also, if a school (especially Notre Dame) gives you the chance to write a "Why (Insert School Name)?" essay, you need to take it to show them you're interested.

[philosoraptor]

No chance at T14. Maybe a WL or two. Write a killer PS and you've got a good chance at Notre Dame and $$ at Emory. UT is worth an app if you have any interest in Texas.

Other than that, I second everything theantiscalia has said.

[Grizz]

TN? How averse are you to retaking and getting a couple more points (169 with your GPA, if this cycle is like the last) to get into Vanderbilt and open other options? Unfortunately, 165 and 166 are in sort of a "dead zone" between schools that like 167+ and schools that will take 164s and below.

Right now:

WL at WUSTL and Vanderbilt.

Texas might bite, as well as ND. UIUC is a definite possibility, but a 167 would seal it.

This cycle, Emory snapped up every candidate with a 166 and chances for $$ were high. If you're interested in the South, that's a pretty good option.

[SaintClarence27]

TN? How averse are you to retaking and getting a couple more points (169 with your GPA, if this cycle is like the last) to get into Vanderbilt and open other options? Unfortunately, 165 and 166 are in sort of a "dead zone" between schools that like 167+ and schools that will take 164s and below.

Right now:

WL at WUSTL and Vanderbilt.

Texas might bite, as well as ND. UIUC is a definite possibility, but a 167 would seal it.

This cycle, Emory snapped up every candidate with a 166 and chances for $$ were high. If you're interested in the South, that's a pretty good option.

I think OP would get big money at OSU, putting him/her in prime position for working in Cincinnati with very little debt.

[Grizz]

TN? How averse are you to retaking and getting a couple more points (169 with your GPA, if this cycle is like the last) to get into Vanderbilt and open other options? Unfortunately, 165 and 166 are in sort of a "dead zone" between schools that like 167+ and schools that will take 164s and below.

Right now:

WL at WUSTL and Vanderbilt.

Texas might bite, as well as ND. UIUC is a definite possibility, but a 167 would seal it.

This cycle, Emory snapped up every candidate with a 166 and chances for $$ were high. If you're interested in the South, that's a pretty good option.

I think OP would get big money at OSU, putting him/her in prime position for working in Cincinnati with very little debt.

Also true.

[philosoraptor]

TN? How averse are you to retaking and getting a couple more points (169 with your GPA, if this cycle is like the last) to get into Vanderbilt and open other options? Unfortunately, 165 and 166 are in sort of a "dead zone" between schools that like 167+ and schools that will take 164s and below.

Right now:

WL at WUSTL and Vanderbilt.

Texas might bite, as well as ND. UIUC is a definite possibility, but a 167 would seal it.

This cycle, Emory snapped up every candidate with a 166 and chances for $$ were high. If you're interested in the South, that's a pretty good option.

I think OP would get big money at OSU, putting him/her in prime position for working in Cincinnati with very little debt.

Also true.

I had similar numbers and was offered $12K a year from Ohio State, which seemed to be pretty standard, I think. Didn't bother applying for the full ride, however, so that might be an option for OP.

[jackalope11]

I think OP would get big money at OSU, putting him/her in prime position for working in Cincinnati with very little debt.

Saint Clarence! No UIUC trolling?

Allow me to throw their our hat in the ring for Midwest, at least.

(edited for pro-Illinois trolling)

[SaintClarence27]

I think OP would get big money at OSU, putting him/her in prime position for working in Cincinnati with very little debt.

Saint Clarence! No UIUC trolling?

Allow me to throw their our hat in the ring for Midwest, at least.

(edited for pro-Illinois trolling)

I'm not trolling for UIUC only because the OP specifically said they wanted to stay in Cincy/Nashville. IMO, OSU would be a great choice (and with the inevitable scholly, a much cheaper option).

[chrisnashville]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think that, given that my actual score (166) was such a jump (My low PT was 157, high was 164, basically averaged to 160), I'm a little nervous about re-taking and scoring lower, though I do realize that my score is in a WL dead-zone. Hoping that my work experience and a solid PS/LOR will give me a bump.

I'll be sure to get my application stuff in in September, for sure. Should I think about ED anywhere? If I'm looking for money, ED doesn't seem like a great idea... I imagine I'd be losing my leverage for scholarships. Do schools take advantage of that?

[SaintClarence27]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think that, given that my actual score (166) was such a jump (My low PT was 157, high was 164, basically averaged to 160), I'm a little nervous about re-taking and scoring lower, though I do realize that my score is in a WL dead-zone. Hoping that my work experience and a solid PS/LOR will give me a bump.

I'll be sure to get my application stuff in in September, for sure. Should I think about ED anywhere? If I'm looking for money, ED doesn't seem like a great idea... I imagine I'd be losing my leverage for scholarships. Do schools take advantage of that?

I would say that unless you're talking about EDing to Vandy, then I wouldn't ED. Just get your apps in nice and early.

[philosoraptor]

Yeah, I wouldn't recommend EDing anywhere, but keep an eye out for nonbinding EA opportunities.

[Grizz]

Yeah, I wouldn't recommend EDing anywhere, but keep an eye out for nonbinding EA opportunities.

Yeah. Locking yourself in at sticker at a place that isn't worht it if you get accepted is not a good idea.

[scribelaw]

Fellow news industry refugee here...

If you can retake, a 170 would give you nice odds at Northwestern, Georgetown, Michigan, which would suit your needs very nicely.

If you don't want to retake, Notre Dame or Ohio State. OSU would give you lower debt -- you'd probably get $$ and in-state tuition after your first year -- but ND would give you much better options outside Ohio. (Also at ND, there'd be a lot less competition to get interviews with the Ohio firms, because most of your classmates will be interested in other markets).

[champ33]

Could probably get a nice scholarship at Iowa.