Confused - Reapply as Transfer or New Applicant? 2011 vs. 2016 Forum

[hazel2053]

Immediately following undergraduate school I enrolled into law school on scholarship. Without going into all the details, my class rank following 1L was approximately within the top 25%. Nevertheless, due to various issues outside of law school, I decided to pivot into an analytical role outside class and gain increased professional experience - mind you, the writing was on the wall at the time - high prospective debt load (presuming entry scholarship did not renew 2L), overall poor market, and relatively weak(er) economy.

Now, after gaining a few more years of experience within the biotechnology/pharmacy/medical research sphere, I'm entertaining the idea of a return. Thankfully, I'm now a resident of a different state with better law schools [relative to previous location], increased choice, and better economic activity (Texas) overall.

So, do I apply as a transfer this cycle or as a new applicant, whereby I enter as an entirely "fresh" student? I'd prefer the latter.

Lastly, my uGPA (supplemented with a few classes since graduate in 2011) is now 3.90. My initial LSAT score from 2011 was 160, however I'm now consistently scoring 173.

Suggestions?

P.S. I have a reasonable job right now (meaningful, 75K, benefits, etc), but life circumstances at the time precluded me from this dream, albeit I'm destine to return and finish.

EDIT: My professional experience includes optical physics, physics, and engineering.

[twenty]

Lastly, my uGPA (supplemented with a few classes since graduate in 2011) is now 3.90.

Unfortunately, any classes you took AFTER you graduated will not have any effect on your LSAC-calculated GPA. So you're stuck with your GPA you graduated with in 2011.

You should probably apply as an incoming student. I'm not even sure you can apply as a transfer, actually. Either way, top quarter at a TTT (from what it sounds like?) won't provide you much in the way of transfer options anyway. Get a good LSAT score, start over.

Or alternatively, maybe consider not going. It sounds like you have a really good thing going with your current job. I dunno. Give it some real thought before you jump in, no matter how good your LSAT score is.