Top Law Schools

asasdfasd

Having a 2.99 kind of sucks since it's not a 3.0. Your work experience will be unlikely to boost you where your numbers don't already put you in play.

Depending on what you mean by "top schools" you will need a better LSAT to gain admission to T14 schools that are friendly to people with low GPAs (assuming 170+: NU will be your best bet followed by GULC, possibly Mich/Va/Penn will take you but they tend not to like sub 3.0's so maybe they won't).

asefasdf

MJohnson1986 wrote: My question is whether or not my work experience, trending GPA and 165 score on the LSAT could bump me up into real consideration from the top law schools in the nation???

The honest answer is no, your WE and grade trending will not bump you very much (if at all). Your target schools will be schools where your LSAT is above the 75th percentile and their GPA range is on the lower side (3.0-3.5ish). Best advice is try to get a 172+, then try your luck at Northwestern ED. They tend to be a bit more forgiving with GPAs when you have WE, but you'll need to have a higher LSAT score.

MJohnson1986 wrote:I suppose it won't hurt to apply to as many schools as I can afford to, but will those T14 schools ultimately bar someone out (regardless of work experience/personal statement/potential) if they do not meet their typical GPA guidelines?

In general yes. Even URMs (who get a bigger boost in law school admissions than any work experience/personal statement/potential ever could), almost never break through those GPA floors.

j,hjkhjk

MJohnson1986 wrote:I appreciate the replies guys. I will definitely arrange to re-take the LSAT this fall, as I still have time before Fall 2012 deadlines hit.

If anyone else has additional advice, please keep it coming.

Applying early is also important (but not more important than applying with a better LSAT). Have all your other materials ready to go so that you can apply immediately after you get your October LSAT results (which I think is around 11/1). As long as you apply prior to Thanksgiving, your application is basically early.

With your current numbers, I'd say you have a good shot at IU-B and a fighting chance even at Illinois. Iowa and Wisconsin would also be possible. The big question is where you want to work. If you want to stay in the midwest, you're in a better position than you think. You have to go down to Arizona State to find anything outside the midwest that's better than a weak consider on LSP. You might think about UC-Irvine, too. It's new, so they're a bit of a black box. Others on here would know more about it than I though.

Retaking the LSAT is the standard TLS advice and of course, improving by a few points can really open up your possibilities. To be realistic though, you are unlikely to get in anywhere that has high national portability. So, I suggest figuring out which region you want to work in and focus on the strong regionals there. With a great LSAT though, you never know, so good luck on the retake!

I agree with the above poster. The top 22 ranked law schools are unlikely with your numbers & lack of URM status. Start with those law schools ranked 23 & lower that interest you.

P.S. Indiana, Iowa, ASU, Arizona, Wisconsin & Wake Forest are your best bets.

P.P.S. lawschoolpredictor.com, however, is much less optimistic listing Case Western Reserve as your first strong option. Hard to factor in your work experience.

1 more point and isn't he a lock at IU-B? given that you are in Indiana, IU-B should be your top choice with that low GPA.

bartleby wrote:1 more point and isn't he a lock at IU-B? given that you are in Indiana, IU-B should be your top choice with that low GPA.

OP is back in Michigan, so residency does not apply to IU-B. 165 is the 75% mark at IU-B, so I don't think one more point would make a substantive difference there.

I have somewhat similar work experience and took the LSAT with what sounds like the same amount of preparation and scored a 166. I re-took and bumped that score up by 12 points. You just need to answer 1-2 more questions correctly on each section to be into Northwestern territory. Treat this re-take like your whole future depends on it, and you will do well. Good luck!

asdfasdf