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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.

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.

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.

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

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

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)?

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.

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)?

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

GL

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.

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

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