How Bad Does a DUI Hurt Your Application? Forum

[ChiCubs14]

I know it does hurt your chances, but I'm wondering if anyone has some experience with this situation?

I got a DUI in high school (so a few years ago now, I'm graduating from college this Spring.)

For instance my LSAT score is a 158 and my GPA is 3.6 if I wanted to apply to the University of Miami my chances of being accepted without a DUI would roughly be 80% according to the numbers I have seen.

BUT with the DUI they would be reduced to what 50% 40%? Depends on the letter I write regarding the situation? (that's called an addendum, right?)

thanks for any information you might have

[Bless]

Ha. I have a 159/3.6/DUI. Same exact boat as you. And I'm also applying to the University of Miami.


From what I've read, it won't hurt too bad. I know a few people with DUIs that go to good law schools and had similar numbers. I don't think the admissions committee looks at you as a scumbag for a DUI, but I guess that also depends on where you're applying. Best of luck.

[ChiCubs14]

Ha. I have a 159/3.6/DUI. Same exact boat as you. And I'm also applying to the University of Miami.


From what I've read, it won't hurt too bad. I know a few people with DUIs that go to good law schools and had similar numbers. I don't think the admissions committee looks at you as a scumbag for a DUI, but I guess that also depends on where you're applying. Best of luck.

Ha, nice to know someone else will be dealing with the same situation...thanks for the reply...good luck to you also I'll PM you if I find any good information in the future...

[ChiCubs14]

bump

any other thoughts or expierences?

[cinephile]

I don't have any experience, but I can't see it hurting you too badly -- especially since some time has passed and you haven't had another alcohol or driving related incident since.

[lawskool]

I was recently accepted to law school with a DWI. I was below their GPA 25th percentile and above their LSAT 75th percentile. I think it's all about how you address it, and not so much about the incident itself. Just be honest and concise with your addendum. Good luck!

[Sandro]

you get a major boost if you are a pro athlete or celebrity

[danquayle]

I don't have any experience, but I can't see it hurting you too badly -- especially since some time has passed and you haven't had another alcohol or driving related incident since.

With all character issues, it will only matter if it will matter to the bar, and even then law schools are more lenient. Just be honest and forthright about it.

In general, singular events in of themselves are irrelevant to demonstrating your personality. What really matters is the pattern that the event constitutes a single part of. So a DUI can be a negative if it demonstrates a negative pattern. If before and after that DUI, you did several other stupid and negligent things, then it might give the indication that you are an inherently reckless person. This is a terrible trait for a lawyer.

However, it could also be spun into a positive. If you accepted the consequences, took actions to correct your problems and rededicated yourself to achieving your goals, it could very well demonstrate a resiliency and the ability to cope with stressful events. Resiliency and lucidness under stress are very good traits for a lawyer.

It's all about how you reacted after the DUI and how you later present the events surrounding the DUI. Personally, I got a DUI during law school and proceeded to be admitted into several state bars, got a job I love and was accepted to a top 10 business school. But I did a lot lot lot to remediate my mistake. Whatever you do, don't lie about it. Lying makes it 10 times worse.

[starbucksjunkie]

I agree. Disclose it. Most people that get denied admission to the bar are people that have something on their record prior to law school and then do something stupid again. Be sure not to get in anymore trouble while a law student and you should be fine.

[dlpelletier]

It can't be too bad depending on how you dealt with it and disclose it. I've got 3 and disclosed them all. I am fortunate though that I was also able to turn it into more by discussing my alcoholism, my time in rehab as well as the clear change in my life since as its been over 4 years I've been sober now. Plus it also had standing as to my GPA, 2.5 LSAC but a 4.0 in my major and a 3.9 last 90+ credits, all of which came after rehab. I did well on the LSAT 173 so I am sure that helped as well.

So far been accepted at Washington and Lee and American still waiting to hear from a bunch more schools though.

The DUI won't disqualify you, but you are I think going to have to show there was growth and something came of it.

-D

[ChiCubs14]

Thank you for the positive remarks

This has boosted my confidence a bit.... It was definitely an isolated incident and I have learned a lot from then so hopefully if I express that in my addendum I won't have any problems with my admissions process...

Good Luck to you all.

[deliriousxix]

.

[originalmutt]

As long as you only have one, I don't think it really hurts you at all. Most people have driven drunk at some point.

If its part of a larger pattern, then there is cause for concern. But the fact it happened in high school actually helps ... you benefit from the passage of time and people are more forgiving of mistakes you made when you were young.

Just don't get another ....

[Cleung714]

Thanks for this post... how about a dwai? Driving while ability impaired? Any experiences with that? Or is that equivalent to a dui?

[sonnee]

I can't see it hurting you too badly .
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