Low GPA from an IVY and ~170 Forum

[applying42011]

Looking for help, advice, reassurance, or mostly just hope. I graduated from a a top Ivy League UG business program in 2003 with a very low GPA ~2.1. I've got excellent work experience doing Ibanking and M&A in Entertainment (about 6 years total.) I'm taking a prep class and on my first cold diag. I scored a 165 though I'm confident that I can break 170 (note: I realize this is necessary for any shot at a good school.) I was wondering if anyone had experience overcoming a similar situation, has any advice on how to mitigate GPA (I was thinking confront it openly in beginning of personal statement and then discuss work experience to indicate gains in maturity/work ethic) or might have incite into what type of school(s) I could expect to be admitted to.
Thanks!

[sophia.olive]

I didnt know gpas went that low.

Why do you want to go to law school now?

Where are you trying to get in?
With work experince the door is not closed with a 170+. For extreme reaches I would try ed-ing to uva and nw.
But in all likelyhood you will end up at a splitter friendly 20-30s, if you break 170. I forget who they are but I know they are out there, maybe, ND, WUstl, ...

[im_blue]

If you hit 170, you've got a shot at some splitter-friendly schools, e.g.:

WUSTL: http://lawschoolnumbers.com/knox1845
Illinois: http://lawschoolnumbers.com/splitterwithastory
Minnesota: http://lawschoolnumbers.com/GreatExpectations10

[KMaine]

I didnt know gpas went that low.

Why do you want to go to law school now?

Where are you trying to get in?
With work experince the door is not closed with a 170+. For extreme reaches I would try ed-ing to uva and nw.
But in all likelyhood you will end up at a splitter friendly 20-30s, if you break 170. I forget who they are but I know they are out there, maybe, ND, WUstl, ...

Pretty sure ND likes high GPAs.

[reasonable_man]

Ivys give low gpas? What the hell mannn?

Are you doing this to unfuck your head after sucking it up in U grad; or do you objectively have some reason for actually wanting to be a lawyer? If its just to make yourself feel better or to increase your prestttige; i'd go a different route. If you actually have a reasonable desire to be a lawyer; then go for it.

[JOThompson]

You could get a very slight GPA boost for graduating from a prestigious undergrad institution, but it probably won't be enough of an edge to make much difference. It may be appropriate to write a GPA addendum if you have a compelling reason. Your cycle's going to be hard to predict since you're an extreme splitter. I would ask for waivers and apply broadly. I think you'll have a shot at some of the T30s. Northwestern has been known to take GPAS in the 2.5-3.0 range with a 171-172+ score, but I'm not sure how competitive you'll be be a 2.1/170.

[Oban]

Dude, you sounds like a great MBA candidate, you have 6 years of banking, went to an IVY UG, why not go that route, they wont care much about the GPA if you got the GMAT + WE,

if you really want to be in law school, and want to go to the highest ranked school,

get a 170+ and ED to UVA first, then Northwestern, and apply to WUSTL

[Oban]

I didnt know gpas went that low.

Why do you want to go to law school now?

Actually that's just straight Cs which isnt that crazy, it's the minimum to graduate at most schools.

[applying42011]

Thanks to everyone for all the replies. I figure regret is a wasted emotion and this is something I really want so my goal now will be to just kill the LSAT, apply broadly, and let the chips fall where the may. I'll be sure sure to update with progress.

[robotclubmember]

Thanks to everyone for all the replies. I figure regret is a wasted emotion and this is something I really want so my goal now will be to just kill the LSAT, apply broadly, and let the chips fall where the may. I'll be sure sure to update with progress.

Get an MBA maybe? MBA programs are much more forgiving of poor GPA's in lieu of strong WE. Law schools are much more academic-oriented and less WE-oriented... its largely just a numbers game for law school. Perhaps consider the possibility of backdooring into a JD through a joint JD/MBA program, admitting into the MBA program first, if your heart is set on JD that is. Otherwise, you'll go to a school that is likely beneath your ability, but if you have a strong network, I guess that really isn't that important.

Your best chance of cracking T14 is GTown part-time or UVA ED, if you want straight-up JD. I think that would be a looong shot. You need a hell of a GPA addendum and a hell of an LSAT score. I doubt 170 is enough. 172+ to have a hope. Evaluate MBA options and possibility of backdooring into JD.

[09042014]

Thanks to everyone for all the replies. I figure regret is a wasted emotion and this is something I really want so my goal now will be to just kill the LSAT, apply broadly, and let the chips fall where the may. I'll be sure sure to update with progress.

Get an MBA maybe? MBA programs are much more forgiving of poor GPA's in lieu of strong WE. Law schools are much more academic-oriented and less WE-oriented... its largely just a numbers game for law school. Perhaps consider the possibility of backdooring into a JD through a joint JD/MBA program, admitting into the MBA program first, if your heart is set on JD that is. Otherwise, you'll go to a school that is likely beneath your ability, but if you have a strong network, I guess that really isn't that important.

Your best chance of cracking T14 is GTown part-time or UVA ED, if you want straight-up JD. I think that would be a looong shot. You need a hell of a GPA addendum and a hell of an LSAT score. I doubt 170 is enough. 172+ to have a hope. Evaluate MBA options and possibility of backdooring into JD.

I think the only shot this guy has at T14 is Northwestern, with a 170 (but really a 172 is better) and an early decision application.

[DukeCornell]

Looking for help, advice, reassurance, or mostly just hope. I graduated from a a top Ivy League UG business program in 2003 with a very low GPA ~2.1. I've got excellent work experience doing Ibanking and M&A in Entertainment (about 6 years total.) I'm taking a prep class and on my first cold diag. I scored a 165 though I'm confident that I can break 170 (note: I realize this is necessary for any shot at a good school.) I was wondering if anyone had experience overcoming a similar situation, has any advice on how to mitigate GPA (I was thinking confront it openly in beginning of personal statement and then discuss work experience to indicate gains in maturity/work ethic) or might have incite into what type of school(s) I could expect to be admitted to.
Thanks!

Off topic: Dude, how in the hell do you have a 2.1 gpa? Wow! That's low...good luck!

[DukeCornell]

I didnt know gpas went that low.

Right!

[CanadianWolf]

Indiana & Iowa are two options with a 170 LSAT score & 2.1 GPA.

[bk1]

I think the only shot this guy has at T14 is Northwestern, with a 170 (but really a 172 is better) and an early decision application.

This.

[savagecheater]

Excellent WE, ibanking and M&A?

Why no MBA FRIEND?