Rough Undergrad/Amazing Work Experience/What are my chances? Forum

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rmk2123

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Rough Undergrad/Amazing Work Experience/What are my chances?

Post by rmk2123 » Tue Mar 05, 2013 1:52 pm

Hello everyone,

I have an unusual profile, and was wondering what are my chances for schools like Harvard. I was born and raised in West Africa, lived through a war, migrated to the US at 17 where learned English, went to community college where I graduated with a 3.9, then transferred to Columbia to finish my BA in 2009. At Columbia, I faced a lot of financial issues which forced me to take on 50 credits in my senior year. I graduated with a 3.3. Unfortunately, I had to work 30 hours/week and handle 27 credits in my last semester at Columbia.

I now work at the UN, lived thru emergencies like Haiti, acquired a lot of experience and hold a manager position. I am now aiming for Law school and currently preparing for the LSAT. I am aiming for a 170.

With this story, do you think I stand a chance for Harvard? Would they average my undergrad GPA, or would just consider my Columbia GPA? I do not meet their GPA requirement.
Last edited by rmk2123 on Tue Mar 05, 2013 2:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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mephistopheles

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Re: Rough Undergrad/Amazing Work Experience/What are my chances?

Post by mephistopheles » Tue Mar 05, 2013 1:54 pm

haha, that last phrase/question.

come back with a score, though. if you hit 170 or above, i'd be willing to bet on acceptance.
Last edited by mephistopheles on Tue Mar 05, 2013 3:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Tiago Splitter

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Re: Rough Undergrad/Amazing Work Experience/What are my chances?

Post by Tiago Splitter » Tue Mar 05, 2013 1:56 pm

Hit 170 and you'll be in at Harvard if you check the "African-American" box on the application. Depending on where your GPA ends up (the only thing schools care about is your cumulative GPA based on all higher education credits earned before your first Bachelors was awarded) you might not even need a 170. But aim to get every question right.

rmk2123

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Re: Rough Undergrad/Amazing Work Experience/What are my chances?

Post by rmk2123 » Tue Mar 05, 2013 2:09 pm

It's been a long road. Happy to hear some encouraging words. I need to kill the LSAT.

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star fox

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Re: Rough Undergrad/Amazing Work Experience/What are my chances?

Post by star fox » Tue Mar 05, 2013 2:34 pm

You're a URM so you probably got a chance. I think your LSAC GPA should count your CC grades so that's good.

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ManOfTheMinute

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Re: Rough Undergrad/Amazing Work Experience/What are my chances?

Post by ManOfTheMinute » Tue Mar 05, 2013 2:43 pm

john7234797 wrote:You're a URM so you probably got a chance. I think your LSAC GPA should count your CC grades so that's good.
It definitely does. What is your GPA taking both into account (weighting by unit)?

Keasbey

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Re: Rough Undergrad/Amazing Work Experience/What are my chances?

Post by Keasbey » Tue Mar 05, 2013 2:58 pm

I just want to say congratulations on life. That story is pretty amazing. I would talk to some admissions counselors, and possibly some lawyers you know (I'm sure you work with some), to see what the best route forward is.

rmk2123

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Re: Rough Undergrad/Amazing Work Experience/What are my chances?

Post by rmk2123 » Tue Mar 05, 2013 3:11 pm

Taking both into account, I came up with a 3.6
ManOfTheMinute wrote:
john7234797 wrote:You're a URM so you probably got a chance. I think your LSAC GPA should count your CC grades so that's good.
It definitely does. What is your GPA taking both into account (weighting by unit)?

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Cobretti

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Re: Rough Undergrad/Amazing Work Experience/What are my chances?

Post by Cobretti » Tue Mar 05, 2013 3:17 pm

rmk2123 wrote:Hello everyone,

I have an unusual profile, and was wondering what are my chances for schools like Harvard. I was born and raised in West Africa, lived through a war, migrated to the US at 17 where learned English, went to community college where I graduated with a 3.9, then transferred to Columbia to finish my BA in 2009. At Columbia, I faced a lot of financial issues which forced me to take on 50 credits in my senior year. I graduated with a 3.3. Unfortunately, I had to work 30 hours/week and handle 27 credits in my last semester at Columbia.

I now work at the UN, lived thru emergencies like Haiti, acquired a lot of experience and hold a manager position. I am now aiming for Law school and currently preparing for the LSAT. I am aiming for a 170.

With this story, do you think I stand a chance for Harvard? Would they average my undergrad GPA, or would just consider my Columbia GPA? I do not meet their GPA requirement.
I came here expecting WE that was not actually amazing. Touche sir.

With your 3.6, ivy UG, amazing softs, and URM; I bet you only need a 165 for H

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jeffyl00b

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Re: Rough Undergrad/Amazing Work Experience/What are my chances?

Post by jeffyl00b » Wed Mar 06, 2013 4:22 pm

You're typically not allowed to exceed a certain amount of credits per term; and then when we do the math for hours in a week we're left with questions. I faced financial issues as well, which didn't lead me to 50 credits in a year.

Void

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Re: Rough Undergrad/Amazing Work Experience/What are my chances?

Post by Void » Fri Mar 08, 2013 3:37 pm

Wait, why is everyone assuming URM? He said he was born in West Africa, but nothing about whether he is an underrepresented minority, right?

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rmk2123

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Re: Rough Undergrad/Amazing Work Experience/What are my chances?

Post by rmk2123 » Fri Mar 08, 2013 4:40 pm

Great point, Void. I should have stated that I was indeed of African descent.

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