non-traditional STEM undergrad low GPA Forum

[accessislife]

I've been lurking on these forums for quite some time but have not yet found the answer to my question.
I've been out of school for a few years - graduated from ugrad with a degree in advanced biology- lots of physics, biochemistry, organic etc - GPA is low for the T14 (3.25-3.35).
I have a Masters already in a field upon which I plan to build with a JD - much better GPA [3.7-3.8].
What do I need to get into T14? Is it even possible to gain entry to HYS?

[BaberhamLincoln]

I think this is probably obvious but: kill your LSAT
T14 is attainable with that GPA as long as your LSAT is really good

I can't say the same for HYS though.

[Christina AA]

I think it also depends on whether you have a specific STEM interest in practicing law. Do you plan to practice patent law? There are specific programs geared towards someone of your background.

[accessislife]

My passion is finding ways to increase access to medicine - I've found some overlap between this subject and both international trade law and IP. I have an exceptional understanding of organic chemistry (undergrad TA) and expect it will assist me in determining if a company is attempting to utilize patent-extending "evergreening" strategies. I currently work on global health policy with focus on HIV - within this field access is a key issue given the nature of the epidemic (concentrated in the developing world). I understand that the numbers are important and that with the low ugrad GPA I should focus on the LSAT -I'm curious about what is the next most important factor? LORs or PS? Something else entirely? Does it matter where I completed my ugrad and masters (top 5)?

[CFC1524]

My passion is finding ways to increase access to medicine - I've found some overlap between this subject and both international trade law and IP. I have an exceptional understanding of organic chemistry (undergrad TA) and expect it will assist me in determining if a company is attempting to utilize patent-extending "evergreening" strategies. I currently work on global health policy with focus on HIV - within this field access is a key issue given the nature of the epidemic (concentrated in the developing world). I understand that the numbers are important and that with the low ugrad GPA I should focus on the LSAT -I'm curious about what is the next most important factor? LORs or PS? Something else entirely? Does it matter where I completed my ugrad and masters (top 5)?

Disclaimer: 0L

PS, LOR's, your masters, etc matter, but only in the sense that you're better off having them than not having them. Application cycles almost always correspond with the applicants' numbers - the exceptions seem to be URM's (over-perform), military (over-perform), and C&F issues (under-perform). Law school is a numbers game, so, in that regard, your softs really only help you against people that have the same numbers.

You have a better chance of out-performing your numbers than most people simply because your softs are above average. That said, I'm not sure you can really rely on them to give you a boost - the boost could happen, and that would be nice, but there's also a decent chance you lose out to the student with the same LSAT and a 3.7.

It'll be a lot easier to gauge your T-14 chances (and corresponding scholarship info) once you have an actual LSAT score.

[Christina AA]

The numbers matter, as said above. But your story matters too, especially if you can tell it in a coherent way (my undergrad study led to x, I excelled in y, I plan to do z with my law degree, all of which relate to each other, and these things make me unique).

[Mullens]

You need to go to mylsn.info and input your numbers there. Your cycle will probably track pretty closely to the results there but you may be able to slightly outperform the results with a solid application package and decreasing applications.

You have almost no shot at HYS as they traditionally have GPA floors around 3.6. The rest of the T14 (over than maybe B and UChi) is attainable if you can score over-median. You should be focusing the majority of you energy on studying for the LSAT and then look to the other parts of your application after you take the LSAT.