Top Law Schools

So my LSAT turned out 12 points lower than PT average. Never been so nervous in my life!!! I'll retake in Oct. But for now what do my chances look like. I really want to go as high in the top 20 as possible even if I have to ride the URM ticket to get there. Also what do I need to get on the October retake to have a stronger chance at each school? This was the part everyone missed. It's the only part I care to know. I already knew I had a slim chance at most of these schools as my numbers are now. So again WHAT DO I NEED TO MAKE IN OCT TO GET IN?
These are my 2 dream schools but I doubt if I get in but just for fun give your opinions:

Chicago
NYU

Seriously:

Georgetown
George Washington
Virginia
Vanderbuilt
Michigan
Duke
Emory-My realistic goal
Minnesota
Alabama
Howard
Miami
Florida
Florida International

Out at all the T14s.

Even with the URM boost why do you think those schools are serious possibilities? If your GPA was higher I would say you had a better chance but you are well below 25% for GPA and LSAT at most of those schools. You need to refine your list a little more.

D Brooks wrote:Out at all the T14s.

Yeah. I think Cornell would be your only shot (however slight) at T-14. I'm AA too and I'm applying to Minnesota, UIUC, and IUB. I think you should shoot for these schools because I think you'd have a good shot.

Also: You should add Tulane to that list. They love minorities, especially AA.

merichard87 wrote:Even with the URM boost why do you think those schools are serious possibilities? If your GPA was higher I would say you had a better chance but you are well below 25% for GPA and LSAT at most of those schools. You need to refine your list a little more.

Probably because I'm applying to like 30 schools thanks to the LSAC fee waiver for most of them. Like I said Emory is my realistic goal. Everything else is just because it's worth the time to hear them say no... and the second part of the question states that I plan on retaking. This was just to gauge opinions. I definetly won't have a 157 come application time. Well if I can conquer the nerves.

I'm thinking in everywhere Alabama and below.

I would suggest applying to the lower T14 on down (but your chances are slim above the Alabama).

Your gpa is kind of low...Business/science/engineering major?

Aberzombie1892 wrote:I'm thinking in everywhere Alabama and below.

I would suggest applying to the lower T14 on down (but your chances are slim above the Alabama).

Your gpa is kind of low...Business/science/engineering major?

Engineering Major. With a 3.68 Major GPA. A lot of intern experience and other softs. I think everyone is confused. I'm more worried about what I need to make on the LSAT in the fall.

OHHHHHH... what LSAT for your retake?

165+ and you'll swing a T14 I'd think.

IAMGenius wrote:

Aberzombie1892 wrote:I'm thinking in everywhere Alabama and below.

I would suggest applying to the lower T14 on down (but your chances are slim above the Alabama).

Your gpa is kind of low...Business/science/engineering major?

Engineering Major. With a 3.68 Major GPA. A lot of intern experience and other softs. I think everyone is confused. I'm more worried about what I need to make on the LSAT in the fall.

GPA low even for engineering 165+ probably just to even have a shot at emory

tkgrrett wrote:

IAMGenius wrote:

Aberzombie1892 wrote:I'm thinking in everywhere Alabama and below.

I would suggest applying to the lower T14 on down (but your chances are slim above the Alabama).

Your gpa is kind of low...Business/science/engineering major?

Engineering Major. With a 3.68 Major GPA. A lot of intern experience and other softs. I think everyone is confused. I'm more worried about what I need to make on the LSAT in the fall.

GPA low even for engineering 165+ probably just to even have a shot at emory

Emory is a GPA whore though IIRC.

D Brooks wrote:

tkgrrett wrote:

IAMGenius wrote:

Aberzombie1892 wrote:I'm thinking in everywhere Alabama and below.

I would suggest applying to the lower T14 on down (but your chances are slim above the Alabama).

Your gpa is kind of low...Business/science/engineering major?

Engineering Major. With a 3.68 Major GPA. A lot of intern experience and other softs. I think everyone is confused. I'm more worried about what I need to make on the LSAT in the fall.

GPA low even for engineering 165+ probably just to even have a shot at emory

Emory is a GPA whore though IIRC.

In my experience, they're an LSAT whore.

Perhaps Emory just = whore?

jennylynn wrote:

D Brooks wrote:
Emory is a GPA whore though IIRC.

In my experience, they're an LSAT whore.

Perhaps Emory just = whore?

Wasnt there a pretty stiff LSAT wall around 167 for Emory this last cycle?? I could be completely wrong. Regardless, without 165+ it doesnt look good at any T20

I would be willing to bet that 165 secures t14 unless there is some other flaw we are not aware of. Are you a Va. or Mich. resident by any chance? I think 163 may open the door to the t14 (I'm thinking Cornell and Duke). 170 should make you competitive for just about anywhere. It would certainly at least open the door at CN. Do your best, put a good application together, and then see if you like you options. The GPA is a slight hinderance, but I think some here are being somewhat pessimistic.

IAMGenius wrote:So my LSAT turned out 12 points lower than PT average. Never been so nervous in my life!!! I'll retake in Oct. But for now what do my chances look like. I really want to go as high in the top 20 as possible even if I have to ride the URM ticket to get there. Also what do I need to get on the October retake to have a stronger chance at each school? This was the part everyone missed. It's the only part I care to know. I already knew I had a slim chance at most of these schools as my numbers are now. So again WHAT DO I NEED TO MAKE IN OCT TO GET IN?
These are my 2 dream schools but I doubt if I get in but just for fun give your opinions:

Chicago
NYU

Seriously:

Georgetown
George Washington
Virginia
Vanderbuilt
Michigan
Duke
Emory-My realistic goal
Minnesota
Alabama
Howard
Miami
Florida
Florida International

with that gpa you would need at least a 165 to break into the T14. also vanderbilt, texas, usc, and ucla are out. GW, bu, nd, minn, unc, w&M are also out.
apply to alabama. apply to wustl, illinois. you have a chance at emory but it's small, and it is more likely that you'll get into wustl and illinois than emory. uf is probably a reach but you should still apply and also try uga. you can use howard as your safety it's much better than miami and fiu and you're a lock for getting in there.

so definitely apply to: wustl, illinois, emory, alabama, florida, uga, and howard.


.

Rand M. wrote:I would be willing to bet that 165 secures t14 unless there is some other flaw we are not aware of. Are you a Va. or Mich. resident by any chance? I think 163 may open the door to the t14 (I'm thinking Cornell and Duke). 170 should make you competitive for just about anywhere. It would certainly at least open the door at CN. Do your best, put a good application together, and then see if you like you options. The GPA is a slight hinderance, but I think some here are being somewhat pessimistic.

Ok seriously.. are we sure we arent overestimating the URM boost on TLS(serious question)?? If you have a decent shot at t14 with a 3.1x and 163 then HYS should be willing to build a private study wing into the library for any AA male with 3.5+ and 170+.

Thanks everyone. I am aiming between a 170 and 175 for the retake. I've been studying since the June scores came out. It's pretty good since I'm not in class and my job is on campus desk job. 40 hours a week just answering phones and running errands leaves plenty a time to study at work and off work. Should be good to go come October. Anyone think taking a class would be worth the money?

tkgrrett wrote:

Rand M. wrote:I would be willing to bet that 165 secures t14 unless there is some other flaw we are not aware of. Are you a Va. or Mich. resident by any chance? I think 163 may open the door to the t14 (I'm thinking Cornell and Duke). 170 should make you competitive for just about anywhere. It would certainly at least open the door at CN. Do your best, put a good application together, and then see if you like you options. The GPA is a slight hinderance, but I think some here are being somewhat pessimistic.

Ok seriously.. are we sure we arent overestimating the URM boost on TLS(serious question)?? If you have a decent shot at t14 with a 3.1x and 163 then HYS should be willing to build a private study wing into the library for any AA male with 3.5+ and 170+.

Really? I'm not so sure. There aren't very many African-Americans who apply to law school as it is. There are fewer who score above 155 and there are even fewer males who score above 155. I really think African-American males with good numbers are some of the most sought after by law schools, much more so than AA women who tend to do better across the board.

tkgrrett wrote:

Rand M. wrote:I would be willing to bet that 165 secures t14 unless there is some other flaw we are not aware of. Are you a Va. or Mich. resident by any chance? I think 163 may open the door to the t14 (I'm thinking Cornell and Duke). 170 should make you competitive for just about anywhere. It would certainly at least open the door at CN. Do your best, put a good application together, and then see if you like you options. The GPA is a slight hinderance, but I think some here are being somewhat pessimistic.

Ok seriously.. are we sure we arent overestimating the URM boost on TLS(serious question)?? If you have a decent shot at t14 with a 3.1x and 163 then HYS should be willing to build a private study wing into the library for any AA male with 3.5+ and 170+.

Lol! That does seem crazy, but I've seriously talked to a Law School Admissions counselor.(won't give details, just trust me) They informed me that the boost does exist and it can be as extreme as 10 points on the LSAT at some schools. It really depends on your other application material. Basically admissions are more likely to give you a big boost if you have good recs and and a good PS. Just what I heard, not what I know.

From your list, I'd say everything Minnesota and down. Don't apply to Florida Int'l - they suck. I agree that you should consider WUSTL, UGA, and Illinois. You may also want to look at other schools in the T30's - T50's like Wisconsin, Southern Methodist, and Tulane.

165+ should get you into a T20, maybe even Cornell. 170+ should get you into anywhere except Yale, Harvard, or Stanford.

IAMGenius wrote:

tkgrrett wrote:

Rand M. wrote:I would be willing to bet that 165 secures t14 unless there is some other flaw we are not aware of. Are you a Va. or Mich. resident by any chance? I think 163 may open the door to the t14 (I'm thinking Cornell and Duke). 170 should make you competitive for just about anywhere. It would certainly at least open the door at CN. Do your best, put a good application together, and then see if you like you options. The GPA is a slight hinderance, but I think some here are being somewhat pessimistic.

Ok seriously.. are we sure we arent overestimating the URM boost on TLS(serious question)?? If you have a decent shot at t14 with a 3.1x and 163 then HYS should be willing to build a private study wing into the library for any AA male with 3.5+ and 170+.

Lol! That does seem crazy, but I've seriously talked to a Law School Admissions counselor.(won't give details, just trust me) They informed me that the boost does exist and it can be as extreme as 10 points on the LSAT at some schools. It really depends on your other application material. Basically admissions are more likely to give you a big boost if you have good recs and and a good PS. Just what I heard, not what I know.

I am well aware the "boost" exists but I think people on TLS severely overstate it.

UGA does have a relatively significant African-American enrollment if that's important to you.

tkgrrett wrote:
I am well aware the "boost" exists but I think people on TLS severely overstate it.

Not for AA males; the boost is major.

IAMGenius wrote: I am aiming between a 170 and 175 for the retake.?

We all are/were. Good luck.

IAMGenius wrote:

tkgrrett wrote:

Rand M. wrote:I would be willing to bet that 165 secures t14 unless there is some other flaw we are not aware of. Are you a Va. or Mich. resident by any chance? I think 163 may open the door to the t14 (I'm thinking Cornell and Duke). 170 should make you competitive for just about anywhere. It would certainly at least open the door at CN. Do your best, put a good application together, and then see if you like you options. The GPA is a slight hinderance, but I think some here are being somewhat pessimistic.

Ok seriously.. are we sure we arent overestimating the URM boost on TLS(serious question)?? If you have a decent shot at t14 with a 3.1x and 163 then HYS should be willing to build a private study wing into the library for any AA male with 3.5+ and 170+.

Lol! That does seem crazy, but I've seriously talked to a Law School Admissions counselor.(won't give details, just trust me) They informed me that the boost does exist and it can be as extreme as 10 points on the LSAT at some schools. It really depends on your other application material. Basically admissions are more likely to give you a big boost if you have good recs and and a good PS. Just what I heard, not what I know.

I agree that there is a major URM boost, but it shouldn't be taken for granted. From what I've heard it only adds to one's LSAT score (I heard the 10 point thing as well). But a poor or mediocre GPA is definitely taken into consideration. Also, URMs should be able to show (via their personal statements) how their URM status has impacted their lives, how they've overcome, etc.

Basically Joe Schmoe african american city council intern with a 3.0 and a 155 shouldn't expect top law schools to knock on his door - he has to knock on theirs (and maybe even crawl in the windows

evilgenius wrote: I agree that there is a major URM boost, but it shouldn't be taken for granted. From what I've heard it only adds to one's LSAT score (I heard the 10 point thing as well). But a poor or mediocre GPA is definitely taken into consideration. Also, URMs should be able to show (via their personal statements) how their URM status has impacted their lives, how they've overcome, etc.

Basically Joe Schmoe african american city council intern with a 3.0 and a 155 shouldn't expect top law schools to knock on his door - he has to knock on theirs (and maybe even crawl in the windows

Where do you get this bs from?