Top Law Schools

Hey guys I'd love your opinion on my current status.

I went to a T25 undergrad, graduated top of my class after transferring (my SAT were in the lowest 10th percentile and was rejected in high school).

I took the LSAT 4 times in the last 2 years (wrote to LSAC and they gave me a 4th test) and even after 2 years of studying (4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week) I still got the same exact score each time - I took each practice test at least twice. I applied last cycle and got waitlisted at most T14 (minus H/S/Y, Berkeley and NYU) and got in to Georgetown last minute (2 days before the semester so I respectfully declined). I took a year off and I'm working as a paralegal at a T50 law firm and applying again this cycle.

I decided to hedge my bets and apply ED to Penn because money won't be a huge factor, and if I don't hear from Penn, then I plan to apply ED to Columbia at the end of the month.

What do you think my chances are at Penn/Columbia and other T14 this time around, considering I should have pretty solid Resume/PS/Diversity(not URM)/and other addenda?

rbeke wrote:Hey guys I'd love your opinion on my current status.

I went to a T25 undergrad, graduated top of my class after transferring (my SAT were in the lowest 10th percentile and was rejected in high school).

I took the LSAT 4 times in the last 2 years (wrote to LSAC and they gave me a 4th test) and even after 2 years of studying (4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week) I still got the same exact score each time - I took each practice test at least twice. I applied last cycle and got waitlisted at most T14 (minus H/S/Y, Berkeley and NYU) and got in to Georgetown last minute (2 days before the semester so I respectfully declined). I took a year off and I'm working as a paralegal at a T50 law firm and applying again this cycle.

I decided to hedge my bets and apply ED to Penn because money won't be a huge factor, and if I don't hear from Penn, then I plan to apply ED to Columbia at the end of the month.

What do you think my chances are at Penn/Columbia and other T14 this time around, considering I should have pretty solid Resume/PS/Diversity(not URM)/and other addenda?

to be clear, your LSATs are: 160/160/160/160?

yeah, penn and columbia not happening, sorry. like, i would say effectively 0% chance at both, barring incredible softs, which you haven't listed and therefore i assume you don't have. you are extremely below both schools' 25ths.

sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear.

You have no greater chance this year than last.
Your WE & softs won't give you any boost whatsoever.

Maybe you'll be able to sneak into Georgetown again, but it would very likely be for sticker price.

If your heart is set on a T14, retake in June (when I'm assuming you can again).

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback.

I actually just got the phone call and got in to Penn this morning.

rbeke wrote:Hey guys, thanks for the feedback.

I actually just got the phone call and got in to Penn this morning.

Wow. Congrats! You're really lucky. Enjoy!

rbeke wrote:Hey guys, thanks for the feedback.

I actually just got the phone call and got in to Penn this morning.

hahaha that's amazing, congratulations.

i guess we're all idiots here.

Thanks, sorry I didn't post more of my softs, but if anyone is curious at what softs/gpa it might take to get into a T14 with a terrible LSAT.

USC undergraduate - philosophy major
3.9 - Phi Beta Kappa
Discovery Scholar
President - Pre-Law Honor Society
Sr. Editor of an undergrad law journal
Published a leading article on international law in academic journal
Intern in Senate & Intern for the Brookings Institution (Fall/Spring Sophomore year while taking a full load of courses)
Intern for a drug treatment court
Paralegal at T50 law firm
Policy Debater
Volunteer at a juvenile detention center
26 months of full-time work experiences (counting internships)
and, one pretty good LSAT addendum (I guess)...

rbeke wrote:I decided to hedge my bets and apply ED to Penn because money won't be a huge factor

rbeke wrote:USC undergraduate

rbeke wrote:USC

rbeke wrote:U$C

rbeke wrote:Thanks, sorry I didn't post more of my softs, but if anyone is curious at what softs/gpa it might take to get into a T14 with a terrible LSAT.

USC undergraduate - philosophy major
3.9 - Phi Beta Kappa
Discovery Scholar
President - Pre-Law Honor Society
Sr. Editor of an undergrad law journal
Published a leading article on international law in academic journal
Intern in Senate & Intern for the Brookings Institution (Fall/Spring Sophomore year while taking a full load of courses)
Intern for a drug treatment court
Paralegal at T50 law firm
Policy Debater
Volunteer at a juvenile detention center
26 months of full-time work experiences (counting internships)
and, one pretty good LSAT addendum (I guess)...

A 3.9 and a burning desire to burn through 150k+ is what got you in, not the other fluff IMO

Congrats though, enjoy!