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Target schools
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 8:07 am
by bsafra1
Hi all, just wondering what types of schools I should target with a high GPA and relatively low LSAT score. I have 5 years of work experience as a paralegal, including one year at a major multinational investment bank and I also published two articles I wrote as part of my Master's program in law journals.
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 8:35 am
by mist4bison
.
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 8:39 am
by BankruptMe
retake for the love of all that is decent and holy
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 8:39 am
by valen
Retake is gonna be the only answer you get here
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 8:40 am
by hillz
I agree with Mist. You could potentially save thousands by spending a few months hardcore studying for a retake. If you're not sure how you can improve on the studying you did the first time, check out all of the guides & advice in the LSAT forum and post if you have questions.
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 9:48 am
by hephaestus
BankruptMe wrote:retake for the love of all that is decent and holy
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 10:37 am
by Ron Don Volante
ImNoScar wrote:BankruptMe wrote:retake for the love of all that is decent and holy
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 10:57 am
by rouleur
Ron Don Volante wrote:ImNoScar wrote:BankruptMe wrote:retake for the love of all that is decent and holy
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 12:42 pm
by BigZuck
I'm going to go against the consensus here and suggest you retake the LSAT.
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 3:02 pm
by unodostres
apply to retake
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 3:12 pm
by AReasonableMan
Improving by ten points could get you a full ride to schools where your chances at a good outcome are five times those at schools you'll be paying full price for now. In your case, a better score is probably worth millions of dollars over the course of your career when you consider the scholarship, and expected outcome from the TT's you'll get in now and the great schools you'll get in with a better score.
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 3:38 pm
by Ex Cearulo
I raised my score more than 10 pts from 1st to 2nd try. I had some extenuating circumstances that attributed to the first score, but I still put in the concerted effort to do way better the second time. It can be done. Just depends on how bad you want a good school (insanely good school in your case) and minimal debt. If you set a goal, develop a study plan, hold yourself accountable and stick to it and crush your second take, you'll likely get a top 10 school with substantial scholarships that will greatly reduce debt (or potentially give you full rides to state/regional schools, if that's more in line with what you want).
eta: Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 3:42 pm
by BillsFan9907
http://mylsn.info/ezeav5/
Play around with the numbers here. It's probably not the best resource because I've included all the years back to 2003. The schools that you would be looking at now have lower admissions standards.
This might be a better metric:
https://docs.google.com/a/aic-edu.com/s ... _web#gid=9
You are looking exclusively at regional schools. I wouldn't bother applying to any school ranked better than Emory as things stand now. You aren't getting much money at a decent regional school. If you are cool with living in Des Moines, U Iowa is one of the best regional schools in the country.
In short, your prospects are not that great. Your work experience and master's degree will definitely put you over the edge with respect to those with similar numbers. It won't put you over the edge against someone with a 3.8 and 161.
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 3:51 pm
by nlee10
ETA: Didn't fully read the Thread Title.
That gpa is beautiful.
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 3:52 pm
by AReasonableMan
nlee10 wrote:What's considered a "relatively low LSAT score"?
a score lower than the score it's being compared against.
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 3:53 pm
by Rigo
You REALLY need to retake. You have so much potential and applying with a 157 is completely wasting it.
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 3:55 pm
by Ex Cearulo
nlee10 wrote:What's considered a "relatively low LSAT score"?
Depends on where you want to go. His score isn't relatively low if he's shooting for Florida Coastal. (Though his decision making skills would be, in that case).
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 3:56 pm
by AReasonableMan
Dirigo wrote:
You REALLY need to retake. You have so much potential and applying with a 157 is completely wasting it.
Where do you find these pictures?
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 3:58 pm
by bluchai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGBhQbmPwH8
Study your ass off, take the LSAT, and dance your ass off to this song after getting your much better score.
Best of luck.
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 4:44 pm
by mvp99
3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + word experience + publications
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 4:45 pm
by bluchai
mvp99 wrote:3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + word experience + publications
"Softs don't matter."
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 11:04 pm
by jbagelboy
bluchai wrote:mvp99 wrote:3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + word experience + publications
"Softs don't matter."
I would disagree, I think these are above average and potentially non-negligent softs depending on their quality. Regardless, nowhere near relevant or strong enough to make it worthwhile to apply without a retake. In fact, the overall strength of the candidacy gives OP even more to lose by not giving their LSAT a fighting chance.
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 9:19 am
by AReasonableMan
jbagelboy wrote:bluchai wrote:mvp99 wrote:3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + word experience + publications
"Softs don't matter."
I would disagree, I think these are above average and potentially non-negligent softs depending on their quality. Regardless, nowhere near relevant or strong enough to make it worthwhile to apply without a retake. In fact, the overall strength of the candidacy gives OP even more to lose by not giving their LSAT a fighting chance.
They make retaking make more sense. You have stuff to talk about at an interview. Without a retake, you are unlikely to get many of those.
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 11:23 am
by sparty99
bsafra1 wrote:Hi all, just wondering what types of schools I should target with a high GPA and relatively low LSAT score. I have 5 years of work experience as a paralegal, including one year at a major multinational investment bank and I also published two articles I wrote as part of my Master's program in law journals.
Retake
Re: 3.98/157 + 3.98 Masters + work experience + publications
Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 2:36 pm
by BillsFan9907
no doubt that if any 157 non-URM got into a school, it would be him. Maybe he would edge out a 159. Would you say 160?