Top Law Schools

Hi, all:

I am pursuing a BS in Legal Studies at American Public University, which is a regionally accredited, 100% online university. I have a high GPA and figure I can score highly on the LSAT when the time comes.

My concern is if I have a chance at admission to any of the the tier 1 schools because of the UG program I am taking. Is this much of a factor at all, or is it mainly based on the typical LSAT/GPA/xtra-curricular/resume.

My interest list reads as such:

Boalt
Santa Clara
McGeorge
Loyola
Others would obviously be considered if within Northern CA

To glimpse on my interesting choice for UG, it has to do with having time and scheduling constraints because I'm a single parent. My son will be out of high school by the time I graduate with my BS. We live in the central California area, so I am looking mostly at law schools in the Bay Area (S.F., Santa Clara), Sacramento, and possibly southern CA.

It kind of flips me out to think of having to apply to a non-ABA school. Bar pass rates are extremely low; 31% for the school nearest us (Lawrence Drivon/Humphreys College).

Any feedback will be welcomed.

JeanJoone wrote:Hi, all:

I am pursuing a BS in Legal Studies at American Public University, which is a regionally accredited, 100% online university. I have a high GPA and figure I can score highly on the LSAT when the time comes.

My concern is if I have a chance at admission to any of the the tier 1 schools because of the UG program I am taking. Is this much of a factor at all, or is it mainly based on the typical LSAT/GPA/xtra-curricular/resume.

My interest list reads as such:

Boalt
Santa Clara
McGeorge
Loyola
Others would obviously be considered if within Northern CA

To glimpse on my interesting choice for UG, it has to do with having time and scheduling constraints because I'm a single parent. My son will be out of high school by the time I graduate with my BS. We live in the central California area, so I am looking mostly at law schools in the Bay Area (S.F., Santa Clara), Sacramento, and possibly southern CA.

It kind of flips me out to think of having to apply to a non-ABA school. Bar pass rates are extremely low; 31% for the school nearest us (Lawrence Drivon/Humphreys College).

Any feedback will be welcomed.

Call the schools and ask.

i don't think it will matter for the lower tier schools, but for school such as boalt it may or may not. i remember browsing through law school numbers for the past 3 cycles and sometimes there were applicants with very good stats but strangely were rejected or waitlisted. when i looked, some of these students got their degrees online.

I finished my degree online from a state university. I'm having a good cycle. It's not a death knell, but against another applicant with the exact numbers it might be the tiebreaker that puts you out. I'd email the schools you're interested in.

Was looking at Loyola (New Orleans) and LSU. Maybe I should consider moving out of state and not worry too much about the CA schools. Going to either could save me 50-100K. - Crazy.

LS don't care about how good your school is

Here was my LSAT report of my joke school lol



I'm having the cycle I should be having based on my numbers

Just make sure they accept your school (since you're stating it might not be fully accredited). If they do it won't have any impact (outside of HYS)

Last summer I watched an admissions forum that featured the admissions deans of UVA, UCLA, Michigan, and GW. A user asked them if going to an online school affected an applicant's chances. All four responded that they haven't had enough applicants from online schools to notice a trend, but their tone of voice suggested it could be a possible disadvantage. Honestly, at all the schools you mentioned besides Boalt, I think you'd be fine if your GPA and LSAT were above the medians.

Whatever you do, do not even think about applying to a non-ABA school. Bay area market is especially tough, and, if you want to work there, you should not settle for any of the local schools below Hastings.

ThreeRivers wrote:LS don't care about how good your school is

Here was my LSAT report of my joke school lol



I'm having the cycle I should be having based on my numbers

Just make sure they accept your school (since you're stating it might not be fully accredited). If they do it won't have any impact (outside of HYS)

No, my college is fully accredited (regionally and nationally). Also, would it be inconceivable to attended a CBE accredited school instead of ABA? Here in the central valley of CA (Modesto/Stockton), the nearest ABA is Sacramento or the Bay Area, both a few hrs commute from here. Laurence Drivon Law (CBE) is in Stockton.

JeanJoone wrote:

ThreeRivers wrote:LS don't care about how good your school is

Here was my LSAT report of my joke school lol



I'm having the cycle I should be having based on my numbers

Just make sure they accept your school (since you're stating it might not be fully accredited). If they do it won't have any impact (outside of HYS)

No, my college is fully accredited (regionally and nationally). Also, would it be inconceivable to attended a CBE accredited school instead of ABA? Here in the central valley of CA (Modesto/Stockton), the nearest ABA is Sacramento or the Bay Area, both a few hrs commute from here. Laurence Drivon Law (CBE) is in Stockton.

How much of your education will be funded by debt?

ThreeRivers wrote:LS don't care about how good your school is

Here was my LSAT report of my joke school lol



I'm having the cycle I should be having based on my numbers

Just make sure they accept your school (since you're stating it might not be fully accredited). If they do it won't have any impact (outside of HYS)

Yes! on my transcripts the 0-19 box is 44, so I have you beat, and again, I am also having the cycle I expected, and a few nice surprises!

breadbucket wrote:

ThreeRivers wrote:LS don't care about how good your school is

Here was my LSAT report of my joke school lol



I'm having the cycle I should be having based on my numbers

Just make sure they accept your school (since you're stating it might not be fully accredited). If they do it won't have any impact (outside of HYS)

Yes! on my transcripts the 0-19 box is 44, so I have you beat, and again, I am also having the cycle I expected, and a few nice surprises!

Out of how many LSAT takers though? lol