Where to apply early decision? (Northwestern or UVA) Forum
- Flustercluck
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Where to apply early decision? (Northwestern or UVA)
So, I'm having an 11th-hour second-guessing episode as to where to apply under binding early decision. My first impulse was Northwestern, but there's a lingering doubt in the back of my head that is saying UVA.
Stats - URM (Black/Mexican), GPA under 3.0, 168 best LSAT (retake is not an option), 3 years WE (Political consulting, multiple promotions, management level),
I know on paper NU makes the most sense of any of the T14. Any T14 is probably a longshot, so i'm trying to improve my odds with the ED applications. I enjoyed NU it when I visited and interviewed on campus, but for some indefineable reason I feel like based on the application elements and supplementary essays, my UVA application would look stronger.
I am equally interested in both schools, it's simply a matter of which one would be more likely to grant me admission. Any and all advice is appreciated.
Stats - URM (Black/Mexican), GPA under 3.0, 168 best LSAT (retake is not an option), 3 years WE (Political consulting, multiple promotions, management level),
I know on paper NU makes the most sense of any of the T14. Any T14 is probably a longshot, so i'm trying to improve my odds with the ED applications. I enjoyed NU it when I visited and interviewed on campus, but for some indefineable reason I feel like based on the application elements and supplementary essays, my UVA application would look stronger.
I am equally interested in both schools, it's simply a matter of which one would be more likely to grant me admission. Any and all advice is appreciated.
Last edited by Flustercluck on Mon Nov 22, 2010 5:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Where to apply early decision?
NU probably. I've heard UVA has a soft floor at 3.0. I don't know if they break it for URM's though.
- edgarfigaro
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Re: Where to apply early decision? (Northwestern or UVA)
Too late for northwestern ED, no?
- rayiner
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Re: Where to apply early decision? (Northwestern or UVA)
In at either. Pick which you like better.
- plenipotentiary
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Re: Where to apply early decision?
I don't think so. They dinged a <3.0/177 URM (Mex) ED this cycle.whymeohgodno wrote:NU probably. I've heard UVA has a soft floor at 3.0. I don't know if they break it for URM's though.
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- im_blue
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Re: Where to apply early decision? (Northwestern or UVA)
I vote for NU since they're much more forgiving of sub-3.0 GPAs. Your 3 years of management-level WE would help there too.
- rayiner
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Re: Where to apply early decision?
Flame.plenipotentiary wrote:I don't think so. They dinged a <3.0/177 URM (Mex) ED this cycle.whymeohgodno wrote:NU probably. I've heard UVA has a soft floor at 3.0. I don't know if they break it for URM's though.
- plenipotentiary
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Re: Where to apply early decision?
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 5#p3180275rayiner wrote:Flame.plenipotentiary wrote:I don't think so. They dinged a <3.0/177 URM (Mex) ED this cycle.whymeohgodno wrote:NU probably. I've heard UVA has a soft floor at 3.0. I don't know if they break it for URM's though.
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 4#p3576264
- BruceWayne
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Re: Where to apply early decision? (Northwestern or UVA)
I didn't look at that but OP said he's Black/Mexican. Black and Mexican is way different than just Mexican. ED at either should get him in. However, from reading his post and looking at his background he should go to NU. I am curious where he's interested in working though. To be safe I would probably just put Black on his app if I were him. If he does that he has a legit shot at any school outside of HYS Berkely and Duke.plenipotentiary wrote:I don't think so. They dinged a <3.0/177 URM (Mex) ED this cycle.whymeohgodno wrote:NU probably. I've heard UVA has a soft floor at 3.0. I don't know if they break it for URM's though.
- plenipotentiary
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Re: Where to apply early decision? (Northwestern or UVA)
AA gets a bigger boost than MX. However, we don't know how far below 3.0 he is. And the boost helps more with LSAT than GPA. And 168 is much less impressive than 177.BruceWayne wrote:I didn't look at that but OP said he's Black/Mexican. Black and Mexican is way different than just Mexican. ED at either should get him in. However, from reading his post and looking at his background he should go to NU. I am curious where he's interested in working though. To be safe I would probably just put Black on his app if I were him. If he does that he has a legit shot at any school outside of HYS Berkely and Duke.plenipotentiary wrote:I don't think so. They dinged a <3.0/177 URM (Mex) ED this cycle.whymeohgodno wrote:NU probably. I've heard UVA has a soft floor at 3.0. I don't know if they break it for URM's though.
I'm not saying that it's impossible. Maybe there was something wrong with the other guy's app. But it's not a sure thing.
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Re: Where to apply early decision? (Northwestern or UVA)
Yeah the trend generally seems to be that URM's get excused more for lower LSATs and high GPAs than high LSAT and sub 3.0 GPAs.
- im_blue
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Re: Where to apply early decision? (Northwestern or UVA)
which makes sense given the 5-10 point LSAT achievement gap for URMs compared to the much smaller GPA achievement gap. In other words, LSAT may underpredict URM performance in law school, but not GPA.whymeohgodno wrote:Yeah the trend generally seems to be that URM's get excused more for lower LSATs and high GPAs than high LSAT and sub 3.0 GPAs.
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- BruceWayne
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Re: Where to apply early decision? (Northwestern or UVA)
Trust me, I know from personal experience, unless he has something sub 2.8 he'll get NU doing ED. Hell at NU he might still get in sub 2.8. UVA is the one that's a bit iffy, but NU sounds like a better fit for him. A 168 is an extremely high LSAT score for a Black male applicant and NU doesn't care about GPA much if you have substantive WE combined with a good LSAT. They'll gobble him up.plenipotentiary wrote: AA gets a bigger boost than MX. However, we don't know how far below 3.0 he is. And the boost helps more with LSAT than GPA. And 168 is much less impressive than 177.
I'm not saying that it's impossible. Maybe there was something wrong with the other guy's app. But it's not a sure thing
- Flustercluck
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Re: Where to apply early decision? (Northwestern or UVA)
Ironically, my LDAS GPA is actually 2.68 (School GPA is a 2.9).BruceWayne wrote:Trust me, I know from personal experience, unless he has something sub 2.8 he'll get NU doing ED. Hell at NU he might still get in sub 2.8. UVA is the one that's a bit iffy, but NU sounds like a better fit for him. A 168 is an extremely high LSAT score for a Black male applicant and NU doesn't care about GPA much if you have substantive WE combined with a good LSAT. They'll gobble him up.plenipotentiary wrote: AA gets a bigger boost than MX. However, we don't know how far below 3.0 he is. And the boost helps more with LSAT than GPA. And 168 is much less impressive than 177.
I'm not saying that it's impossible. Maybe there was something wrong with the other guy's app. But it's not a sure thing
Is it that dramatic of a difference?
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Re: Where to apply early decision? (Northwestern or UVA)
I'd say chances are still good, but not great.Flustercluck wrote:Ironically, my LDAS GPA is actually 2.68 (School GPA is a 2.9).BruceWayne wrote:Trust me, I know from personal experience, unless he has something sub 2.8 he'll get NU doing ED. Hell at NU he might still get in sub 2.8. UVA is the one that's a bit iffy, but NU sounds like a better fit for him. A 168 is an extremely high LSAT score for a Black male applicant and NU doesn't care about GPA much if you have substantive WE combined with a good LSAT. They'll gobble him up.plenipotentiary wrote: AA gets a bigger boost than MX. However, we don't know how far below 3.0 he is. And the boost helps more with LSAT than GPA. And 168 is much less impressive than 177.
I'm not saying that it's impossible. Maybe there was something wrong with the other guy's app. But it's not a sure thing
Is it that dramatic of a difference?
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Re: Where to apply early decision? (Northwestern or UVA)
I think UVA is a reach even with super URM status with that GPA.Flustercluck wrote:Ironically, my LDAS GPA is actually 2.68 (School GPA is a 2.9).BruceWayne wrote:Trust me, I know from personal experience, unless he has something sub 2.8 he'll get NU doing ED. Hell at NU he might still get in sub 2.8. UVA is the one that's a bit iffy, but NU sounds like a better fit for him. A 168 is an extremely high LSAT score for a Black male applicant and NU doesn't care about GPA much if you have substantive WE combined with a good LSAT. They'll gobble him up.plenipotentiary wrote: AA gets a bigger boost than MX. However, we don't know how far below 3.0 he is. And the boost helps more with LSAT than GPA. And 168 is much less impressive than 177.
I'm not saying that it's impossible. Maybe there was something wrong with the other guy's app. But it's not a sure thing
Is it that dramatic of a difference?
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- im_blue
- Posts: 3272
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Re: Where to apply early decision? (Northwestern or UVA)
With that low of a GPA, NU is definitely the better bet.Flustercluck wrote:Ironically, my LDAS GPA is actually 2.68 (School GPA is a 2.9).BruceWayne wrote:Trust me, I know from personal experience, unless he has something sub 2.8 he'll get NU doing ED. Hell at NU he might still get in sub 2.8. UVA is the one that's a bit iffy, but NU sounds like a better fit for him. A 168 is an extremely high LSAT score for a Black male applicant and NU doesn't care about GPA much if you have substantive WE combined with a good LSAT. They'll gobble him up.plenipotentiary wrote: AA gets a bigger boost than MX. However, we don't know how far below 3.0 he is. And the boost helps more with LSAT than GPA. And 168 is much less impressive than 177.
I'm not saying that it's impossible. Maybe there was something wrong with the other guy's app. But it's not a sure thing
Is it that dramatic of a difference?
- BruceWayne
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Re: Where to apply early decision? (Northwestern or UVA)
Forget about UVA OP. Honestly, if you want top 14 ED to NU last month. Good luck.
- Flustercluck
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Re: Where to apply early decision? (Northwestern or UVA)
Ended up applying to NU (Deadline Dec. 1). We'll see how things go, thanks to everyone for the advice!
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Re: Where to apply early decision? (Northwestern or UVA)
Good luck!Flustercluck wrote:Ended up applying to NU (Deadline Dec. 1). We'll see how things go, thanks to everyone for the advice!
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