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[Jordan Ash]

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[SFrost]

You forgot to include one thing: why do you want to attend HYS over CLS?

HYS are not appreciably better than CLS unless you're specifically shooting for academia or federal clerking. Since you didn't state your goals, we're left to wonder. You did say you have top-tier investment banking with tuition reimbursement, so presumably that's what you want to continue.

The fact you made a point of telling us your ugrad was Ivy tells me you're a prestige whore. If prestige is that important to you, then go for Yale/Harvard/Stanford. There is not going to be any predictably consistent benefit over Columbia, though. No employer is ever going to look at you and say "yea he went to Columbia... why couldn't he go to YALE?!"

(Not trying to be harsh, but this looked like blatant prestige-based nonsense. Correct me if I'm wrong)

[UMich11]

re-apply. SLS is 100x over better name and has more useful connections than Columbia if you are thinking of going back to VC/IB. That is unless you're looking to make a move to the EC - then go with HLS.

[jkhalfa]

You say you have a great job already and you don't want to practice law... so what's the point of going to an elite law school at all? Just so you can have another fancy degree hanging on the wall in your office? Do you think firms are going to look down upon your Columbia JD when you don't apply for a position??

I agree with the other guy: OP seems blinded by "prestige."

[Jordan Ash]

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[anyriotgirl]

Thanks for the responses.

Just to clarify:

1. Sorry; didn't mean to be snide with the "Ivy" mention. I did so mainly to illustrate that my UG school was prestigious even though my GPA is not so attractive. Prestige does not matter to be given that I am much older than the typical law school grad and I am not competing for employment.

2. Yes, I am not interested in a General Counsel, Legal or any attorney-esque role. More than likely I will not even sit for a State Bar Exam. I want to continue in the Corporate Development capacity at the large Fortune 500 tech company I am at.

3. I am able to defer CLS for a period of one year although the reasons have to be excruciating. Assuming I am able to get this, I am wondering if a re-shot @ SLS would be worth it given that I was dinged; YLS and HLS would be worth trying given that I did not apply.

4. Worst case scenario: I have my CLS offer. Plus, CLS has the best securities law program.

Sidenote: Not married; no family; no kids. Moving to the East Coast for CLS, YLS or HLS would not be much of an issue.

How does SLS treat re-applicants? Any idea? Also, given that much hasn't changed, should I expect a ding unless I take the LSAT again and try for a higher score (although unlikely)?

Thanks.

you can't defer and also reapply

[Elston Gunn]

I just don't get why you're going to law school. If you explain what you're trying to get out of it, we might be able to give you better advice. What about HYS makes them so much more attractive than CLS for you? For most people, it's because they have better employment outcomes, but you said that's not what you're looking for. That said, with your GPA, you probably won't get at least Yale anyway.

[Jordan Ash]

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[anyriotgirl]

you can't defer and also reapply

Oh, is that so?

Does LSAC or the schools have any mechanism that once an offer is deferred one can't apply to other schools in the interim?

If so, I was completely unaware of this.

So, this means I either accept CLS this cycle or reject CLS in order to try for HLS and YLS next cycle?

Thanks.

basically every school has this policy. otherwise everyone would do it. if you defer, you have to sign an agreement with CLS not to reapply. If they found out that you did, I imagine they'd revoke your acceptance. Also, dude, character and fitness?

[mtn663]

GPA will probably be a bigger problem for you at SLS than LSAT. IIRC, they admit very few non-URMs under 3.8.

As far as HLS goes, depending on what your numbers are, LSAT might help. But don't count on getting a huge boost from being non-trad. They're really big and can make occasional exceptions, but their size can also hinder their flexibility as they try to meet their medians and they're much more formulaic than YLS/SLS. I wouldn't stray too far from the green dots on LSN in assessing your competitiveness.

It's not entirely clear to me why HLS > CLS for your purposes but if LSN shows HLS isn't a stretch and you're not in a hurry then no harm in trying, I guess. (Note I'd think potentially HLS > YLS for you, also, especially if you want interaction with the B school, but as a prior poster said you're probably out at YLS anyway).

[Jordan Ash]

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[withoutapaddle]

Did you go to Columbia for undergrad?

I didn't think a 2 point anything had a chance in hell of getting in - even if the LSAT was a 180 (Let alone in the 160's)

[jkhalfa]

high 160-ish LSAT (first attempt) and a 2.85-ish undergrad GPA

You're probably aware of this already, but those numbers are absolutely abysmal for T6, or even the T14 in general. Sure, your work experience matters, but still, I'd take CLS and run before they change their minds.

LSN has no record of any non-URM with such low stats admitted to any school better than Georgetown.

http://myLSN.info/eiy415_1-14.jpg

Of course, some non-URMs do sneak into the T6 with bad stats, but not HYS. Yale apparently has a 3.13 in the most recent class, but I'd bet my life he was black.

[iliketurtles123]

high 160-ish LSAT (first attempt) and a 2.85-ish undergrad GPA

You're probably aware of this already, but those numbers are absolutely abysmal for T6, or even the T14 in general. Sure, your work experience matters, but still, I'd take CLS and run before they change their minds.

LSN has no record of any non-URM with such low stats admitted to any school better than Georgetown.

http://myLSN.info/eiy415_1-14.jpg

Of course, some non-URMs do sneak into the T6 with bad stats, but not HYS. Yale apparently has a 3.13 in the most recent class, but I'd bet my life he was black.

I would listen to this guy. CLS is the best you'll do.
The alternative is reapply next year, risk not getting accepted again by CLS for a 0-1% shot at HYS

The benefit of HYS to CLS does not justify that risk

Edit: wait. based on your story, you SHOULD NOT BE GOING TO LAW SCHOOL

[Elston Gunn]

Take CLS and don't look back.

[L’Étranger]

high 160-ish LSAT (first attempt) and a 2.85-ish undergrad GPA

Shocked you were accepted to CLS with your numbers. (If you are not a flame) take CLS and run.

[Jordan Ash]

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[Tiago Splitter]

Yeah with your numbers you're in the rare position of potentially doing worse next year. As a result, I'd go to CLS if you've decided that law school is something you must do.

Also, to be perfectly honest I had no idea CLS had a securities law program, much less the best one.

[SFrost]

Based on the new information... You're very lucky to get a CLS acceptance.

Your numbers are abysmal for T6. CLS obviously agreed that you've been successful and will likely continue to be even more successful, and you clearly made a good impression of such. I'm usually the one arguing that law school isn't all about numbers, but in this case, the CLS acceptance is really surprising.

I disagree with the posters telling you not to go. You went to a fantastic B school so I think we should presume you know what to expect from law school. You've got the finances covered with tuition reimbursement, likely a great salary, and a career waiting for you on the other side. You're livin' the dream! Go CLS and add your third Ivy to your resume

[Captain Rodeo]

CLS is such a clear choice here it's not even funny.

Congrats on getting in to an amazing school with a (no offense) horrible, non-competitive UG GPA.

Columbia has given you a great gift.

Seriously, shake off any pride issues that you have with going to HYS and go to Columbia. People and employers aren't going to think you are less talented or less smart because you have a JD from Columbia and not from HYS.

People on here by and large know what they are talking about concerning your numbers. I'm surprised you got in too. Take it and be very, very, thankful. I wouldn't even play around with trying for HYS.

[chizzy]

+1 to all the other posters comments. Please take the offer and run. if you really really want to end up at HYS, you could always transfer provided your grades are high in CLS.

[iliketurtles123]

Based on the new information... You're very lucky to get a CLS acceptance.

Your numbers are abysmal for T6. CLS obviously agreed that you've been successful and will likely continue to be even more successful, and you clearly made a good impression of such. I'm usually the one arguing that law school isn't all about numbers, but in this case, the CLS acceptance is really surprising.

I disagree with the posters telling you not to go. You went to a fantastic B school so I think we should presume you know what to expect from law school. You've got the finances covered with tuition reimbursement, likely a great salary, and a career waiting for you on the other side. You're livin' the dream! Go CLS and add your third Ivy to your resume

Unsure from OP's post whether he will get paid while in law school. If not, his opportunity cost is likely huge (I don't know how much his salary is but can extrapolate based on his WE).

Considering the fact that he has extensive experience, an MBA from a top B-School, and wants to stay in the same field he is in, I see little or no utility from a law degree. OP does not even want to take the bar. I don't see how a JD can be useful without work as an attorney. I might be wrong though. Maybe his employer values it.
Which brings to me to my question to OP: why do you want to go to law school?

[Elston Gunn]

Based on the new information... You're very lucky to get a CLS acceptance.

Your numbers are abysmal for T6. CLS obviously agreed that you've been successful and will likely continue to be even more successful, and you clearly made a good impression of such. I'm usually the one arguing that law school isn't all about numbers, but in this case, the CLS acceptance is really surprising.

I disagree with the posters telling you not to go. You went to a fantastic B school so I think we should presume you know what to expect from law school. You've got the finances covered with tuition reimbursement, likely a great salary, and a career waiting for you on the other side. You're livin' the dream! Go CLS and add your third Ivy to your resume

I wondered this too. I kind of figured OP has enough money and wanted 3 years off.
Unsure from OP's post whether he will get paid while in law school. If not, his opportunity cost is likely huge (I don't know how much his salary is but can extrapolate based on his WE).

Considering the fact that he has extensive experience, an MBA from a top B-School, and wants to stay in the same field he is in, I see little or no utility from a law degree. OP does not even want to take the bar. I don't see how a JD can be useful without work as an attorney. I might be wrong though. Maybe his employer values it.
Which brings to me to my question to OP: why do you want to go to law school?

Edit: Don't know what happened. Meant to say, I was guessing OP wanted a 3 year break, because I couldn't think of anything else.

[jkhalfa]

Which brings to me to my question to OP: why do you want to go to law school?

I didn't get that either. It's like he's playing "gotta catch them all" with Ivy League degrees. Next he'll need to go to Harvard Med School to complete the set.

[MistakenGenius]

Post removed.