Any Love From Admissions for STEM Degrees? Forum

[rose.1070]

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[shump92]

You are asking several questions here at once and most of us do not have experience in admissions. I think a briefer version of this in Spivey's thread would help too since those posters actually made these decisions before.

While numbers definitely matter a lot for admissions, the other parts of the application have some impact. I think the double major helps give you a huge plus for the rigor of your coursework. That's basically one good soft. Your GPA is still fine overall but not strong enough to compensate for a lower LSAT among the T-14 in all likelihood. I think you talking about this could potentially help in an interview but that would depend on how naturally you are able to say that. Wouldn't do any addendum on it.

A lot of things will determine whether the lower GPA really harms your admissions chances in the T14.
1) Are you URM? If not than because you are implying that you will be KJD, you won't have a major soft that addresses lower numbers.
2) Did you have good involvement with activities during UG: think officer for clubs, honors, internships, etc? Those things will be important to help offset your lack of full-time WE (unless you have this in some other context).
3) How strong would your LORs /essays be? Interesting narratives that complement what you are hoping to show with your transcript/LSAT/resume can be helpful.
4) What do you actually score on the LSAT? Your diagnostic can help show you what type of score range you would likely be in for a test this cycle. A 170+ would definitely be the easiest way to offset your GPA depending on what your goals are for T14 school and $$. But it is possible that based on those other 3 factors, you could be okay with a 167-169 (if not URM). (That is my educated guess by the way on a sub-170 range that wouldn't necessarily limit you to options at sticker).

TCR is that schools want most applicants to at least help with one of their medians, but some people are exceptions to that norm. I would do everything you could at this point to have a really strong LSAT since your transcript is mostly set as this point. Also spend a lot of time on essays. Think about whether you really want to go straight through since WE could help you a lot, and it is honestly helpful for most people before law school. Just for emphasis: post in Spivey's thread unless you already have.

[rose.1070]

You are asking several questions here at once and most of us do not have experience in admissions. I think a briefer version of this in Spivey's thread would help too since those posters actually made these decisions before.

While numbers definitely matter a lot for admissions, the other parts of the application have some impact. I think the double major helps give you a huge plus for the rigor of your coursework. That's basically one good soft. Your GPA is still fine overall but not strong enough to compensate for a lower LSAT among the T-14 in all likelihood. I think you talking about this could potentially help in an interview but that would depend on how naturally you are able to say that. Wouldn't do any addendum on it.

A lot of things will determine whether the lower GPA really harms your admissions chances in the T14.
1) Are you URM? If not than because you are implying that you will be KJD, you won't have a major soft that addresses lower numbers.
2) Did you have good involvement with activities during UG: think officer for clubs, honors, internships, etc? Those things will be important to help offset your lack of full-time WE (unless you have this in some other context).
3) How strong would your LORs /essays be? Interesting narratives that complement what you are hoping to show with your transcript/LSAT/resume can be helpful.
4) What do you actually score on the LSAT? Your diagnostic can help show you what type of score range you would likely be in for a test this cycle. A 170+ would definitely be the easiest way to offset your GPA depending on what your goals are for T14 school and $$. But it is possible that based on those other 3 factors, you could be okay with a 167-169 (if not URM). (That is my educated guess by the way on a sub-170 range that wouldn't necessarily limit you to options at sticker).

TCR is that schools want most applicants to at least help with one of their medians, but some people are exceptions to that norm. I would do everything you could at this point to have a really strong LSAT since your transcript is mostly set as this point. Also spend a lot of time on essays. Think about whether you really want to go straight through since WE could help you a lot, and it is honestly helpful for most people before law school. Just for emphasis: post in Spivey's thread unless you already have.

Great advice once again, you're definitely my new law school advisor! While my LORs will be rather average, I've been very involved so I know I can craft a unique essay based on all the involvement and unique fields of study I did. I'm a first generation college student, but I don't believe that qualifies as URM for law school purposes. I'm in the mid-160's on my LSAT PTs, which is why I'm trying to find a way to make my GPA appear better, but hopefully by the end of my prep (still have a decent amount left to complete) I can break 170 and worry a little bit less.

[Mack.Hambleton]

They'll just care about the cumulative GPA. Your GPA is not bad, you don't need to bring any attention to it, don't write an addendum or bring it up in interviews.

Focus on the LSAT instead of worrying about the GPA.

[landshoes]

First gen might be worth a diversity essay

[dnptan]

I have a 3.8 LSAC GPA with a double major in Biology/Biomed Eng and I underperformed my numbers my first 2 cycles despite having US WE (Patent consulting). But I'm also an international from a country that doesn't have a lot of representation in the T14, so take YMMV.

In general I don't think being STEM will help or hurt you at all. Your final GPA is all that matters.

[shump92]

First gen is worth a diversity essay

And to clarify for interviews, I was suggesting that talking about the rigor could work. I agree with Mack to not worry about the GPA specifically.

I was imagining something like this:

Ad. Officer: "How was UG" (or something similar)

You: (Your main thoughts such as) x activities were fun, I like the challenge of my double major, liked y things about campus.

Better wording obviously but I think my point is clear.