Top Law Schools

My numbers are 3.41/166, 162. Graduated 2009 from a top UC. Interesting soft factors. National Karate Champ, published in a science journal and literary mag, fluent/proficient in 3 languages, study abroad at a top intl school. 2 years WE.
So the schools I'm realistically looking at are GWU, BC, BU, Emory, Hastings, and Fordham but I really want to apply ED to one of the following reaches Gtown (PT), UCLA, Northwestern, Columbia/NYU and I don't know which one to pick. Columbia and NYU are just to keep shit interesting and cause my parents are pretty adamant I apply. Relatively UCLA is the most realistic esp. cause I'm a Cali resident, but I'd be pretty hesitant to go there since I essentially spent my whole life in West LA and 3 years of Westwood, with 16 year old persian kids running around, may drive me to glock someone in the face.
Solely based on numbers I know I don't deserve any of these schools, but I'll be applying immediately when apps come out and I did apply to most of these schools last cycle so I'm hoping for a lot a bit of luck, Where would you guys apply ED if you were me?

Sorry dude, but each of those schools is a waste of your time. UCLA is the most likely out of the bunch, but your chances at getting in ED are quite low.

You probably don't have the stats to get into any of those reaches, but I'm always in favor of sending out apps (if you can spare the application fee/have a waiver) if only because then you don't have to wonder "what if." I voted Northwestern just because of your work experience, but I wouldn't get your hopes up on any school listed.

As for GWU, BC, BU, and Fordham, I applied to those schools this past cycle with almost identical stats, got four wait lists out of the bargain, so apply early, try to put in a "why x" if you can (I didn't) and good luck with your cycle.

sumus romani wrote:Sorry dude, but each of those schools is a waste of your time. UCLA is the most likely out of the bunch, but your chances at getting in ED are quite low.

nah its cool, i figured as much. i just see these ED apps as really pricey lotto tickets with a more fulfilling prize if I win.

JusticeHarlan wrote:You probably don't have the stats to get into any of those reaches, but I'm always in favor of sending out apps (if you can spare the application fee/have a waiver) if only because then you don't have to wonder "what if." I voted Northwestern just because of your work experience, but I wouldn't get your hopes up on any school listed.

As for GWU, BC, BU, and Fordham, I applied to those schools this past cycle with almost identical stats, got four wait lists out of the bargain, so apply early, try to put in a "why x" if you can (I didn't) and good luck with your cycle.

thank you sir
EDIT: Harlan are you holding out hope for Cornell or are u sticking with BC no matter what? I imagine my cycle looking similar to yours... would love to go to BC and pretty ready to ride the WLs to get there.

nematoad wrote:

sumus romani wrote:Sorry dude, but each of those schools is a waste of your time. UCLA is the most likely out of the bunch, but your chances at getting in ED are quite low.

nah its cool, i figured as much. i just see these ED apps as really pricey lotto tickets with a more fulfilling prize if I win.

Yeah, what consititutes a "waste of time" will vary from person to person. But lotto tickets almost always have a negative expected outcome for the buyer, and so playing is almost always irrational (except once in a blue moon when the payout actually results in an expected positive net gain). I don't recommend playing the lotto. Even more important is the "I would always regret not having given it a shot". Whenever anyone says that, I always say to go for it.

If you must ED, at least only ED to a school at which your LSAT is at or above the 25th percentile.

If Northwestern's stats don't increase (they will, but I'm offering a hypo), you are above the 25th gpa and at the 25th LSAT with 2 years of work experience.

If there was somewhere to ED, Northwestern would be it. Your chances are slim; however, you already know this.

Unfortunately I think softs don't usually count for much in law applications, but maybe in your case they will help. I think Emory, Fordham, and Hastings are the only ones listed that you have a fairly good shot at based on your numbers, but if you can afford it I don't see it hurting anything to apply wherever you want to (at least you know you tried, but really, this is almost a complete numbers game from what I have seen).

Your higher LSAT is what I got and my GPA was slightly higher than yours. I also have considerable softs in terms of an internship at a top-notch govt. center (and associated recommendation), in addition to several years of experience as an expert witness in court (and associated recommendation by Judge). I applied rather late (Dec/Jan) and my applications could have been stronger (I made a few errors, but nothing I think that was really severe)- I am attending a lower T1 (top 50) school with a more than half-scholarship. I got waitlisted at a T20 and rejected by a number of T10s I applied to (which I really shouldn't have bothered with in hindsight, but I may have always wondered if I didn't try for it). I imagine if I had applied more broadly I probably would have gotten some T25 acceptances, but obviously ranking wasn't the only thing I was considering when I was applying. Good luck.

EDIT: not really sure about Emory.. you might have as good or better a shot at GW.. I imagine both schools will be at least slight reaches given your GPA.

Aberzombie1892 wrote:
If there was somewhere to ED, Northwestern would be it. Your chances are slim; however, you already know this.

I'm starting to lean more towards Northwestern now. I also like the fact that there's an interview. Lawschoolpredictor has me at a "weak consider"... I'm happy with any consideration at all.

Lawquacious wrote: I imagine if I had applied more broadly I probably would have gotten some T25 acceptances, but obviously ranking wasn't the only thing I was considering when I was applying. Good luck.

same with me. pretty picky about where I'm living and definitely don't see myself applying to schools located in smaller cities/towns even if they are T30.

thank you all for the responses.