admissions advice.. a couple questions!

[theleastdiverse]

Hey guys,

Longtime lurker, not many posts, but reading all of the information on this site is the most helpful thing ever. I just received my December LSAT back and 172! Pretty excited, but now I need to get my apps in ASAP.

I just finished my PS and am waiting on one last letter of recommendation to be submitted to LSAC. My GPA on LSAC is a measly 3.07... guess that makes me a big splitter.


Questions:

1. Since the rest of my application is complete, can I submit it prior to my last letter of recommendation being uploaded to LSAC? Then when it is, presumably this week, will it update my file at the schools?

2. My LSAT jumped from 164 to 172 from September to December. I know the normal answer on here is no addendum needed, but I know some schools say they want one. Like Temple Law, which is a high choice of mine considering I want to work in the Philly market. Their admission dean specifically said at a panel that she likes addendums for 6 plus point jumps. Should I submit one to here? And if so, to other schools as well? Is there a particular format for the addendum or is it just a small paragraph on a word doc?

3. As mentioned above, my stats are 172, 3.07. K-JD, softs include average internship, college jobs, community service, etc. As I'm trying to submit applications, I'm having trouble determining what schools to target. My current list is below:

- Temple (want to work in Philly, extremely cheap instate)
- Richmond
- American
- Georgetown (I wishhhh)
- WashUSTL
-Fordham
-BC / BU (these guys don't really like the low gpa splitters though)

I want to end up working in a northeast market, boston, nyc, philly, dc, etc.... As attractive as biglaw is, its not make or break (my only realistic shot is GTown)... I'm content somewhere like Temple (where the top 5-10 percent work at big firms in Philly), they also place well in other places in the area. I feel like theres other schools I should be applying to, any suggestions?


Thanks so much !!!

[ballcaps]

http://mylsn.info/pbyalr/

your gpa is obviously quite low, but your lsat is great, and a very high percentage of people with similar stats have gotten into georgetown and northwestern since 2010.

how serious are you about biglaw? is money an object here?

[lawschool1741]

1. You CAN. Depends on the school whether you want to do this or not. Why would you not put your absolute best foot forward at Harvard, etc?

2. No addendum, unless you have a crazy good reason (not just studying more and working harder - because why did you not do that the first at time?)

3. mylsn.info and others could give you a better idea for your specific area

[theleastdiverse]

1. You CAN. Depends on the school whether you want to do this or not. Why would you not put your absolute best foot forward at Harvard, etc?

2. No addendum, unless you have a crazy good reason (not just studying more and working harder - because why did you not do that the first at time?)

3. mylsn.info and others could give you a better idea for your specific area

Thanks for the response! Gonna bag the addendum and mylsn.info is a great resource... Can you clarify the answer for question 1?

More specifically, I have 1 letter of recommendation completed. ALOT of schools only require 1 but suggest two. Therefore, I could submit my apps right now to these schools. Then later this week (hopefully) when the 2nd letter is submitted, I could have LSAC update the file with the school? Don't know if I should do this or just wait to submit.

[lawschool1741]

Thanks for the response! Gonna bag the addendum and mylsn.info is a great resource... Can you clarify the answer for question 1?

More specifically, I have 1 letter of recommendation completed. ALOT of schools only require 1 but suggest two. Therefore, I could submit my apps right now to these schools. Then later this week (hopefully) when the 2nd letter is submitted, I could have LSAC update the file with the school? Don't know if I should do this or just wait to submit.

IMO that is up to you. Personally, I sent once complete per requirements and then updated with new LORs as they came in. Not sure if this is true, but I felt it might have helped keep me at top-of-mind as I was accepted very quickly after the update (could be coincidence). On the other hand, I wouldn't necessarily submit to HYS w/o the absolute best (and complete) app possible. Overall, I don't think this is a make-or-break situation (esp if you meet min requirements at submit).

[Clearly]

I'd throw a convincingly assembled hail mary to Penn too, crazier things have happened.