Think I'm significantly underperforming my numbers; re-apply? Forum

[SupCutie]

It's too early to panic, but here's how my cycle is playing out:

3.8, 169

Accepted: Cornell
WL: Mich, Penn, Duke, Northwestern
Reject: Berkeley, Chicago
TBD: Columbia, UVA, NYU

I'm assuming waitlist for the 3 remaining schools as I applied in November and had less than a coin flips chance anyway. Additionally, I have taken the LSAT multiple times, applied once already (before the 169) with essentially the same results, and submitted an uninspiring essay (no typos, didn't say anything racist, just a really blah essay). I also have work experience. Am I right to assume that all of these factors taken together result in my underperformance?

Am I mad to consider reapplying? I know conventional TLS wisdom is that multiple applications/tests don't hurt that much but applying three times seems excessive.

[kingpin101]

If you get good money at Cornell (which you should), you're good to go really.

[ticklemesilly]

It's too early to panic, but here's how my cycle is playing out:

3.8, 169

Accepted: Cornell
WL: Mich, Penn, Duke, Northwestern
Reject: Berkeley, Chicago
TBD: Columbia, UVA, NYU

I'm assuming waitlist for the 3 remaining schools as I applied in November and had less than a coin flips chance anyway. Additionally, I have taken the LSAT multiple times, applied once already (before the 169) with essentially the same results, and submitted an uninspiring essay (no typos, didn't say anything racist, just a really blah essay). I also have work experience. Am I right to assume that all of these factors taken together result in my underperformance?

Am I mad to consider reapplying? I know conventional TLS wisdom is that multiple applications/tests don't hurt that much but applying three times seems excessive.

Congrats on Cornell. Berkeley is a weird black box, so I wouldn't worry about that. Chicago is notorious for having a really high GPA cut off- that said, I had a much lower GPA and 170, and got WL. People with lower numbers than mine did as well.

Also, you should be in at Michigan and Duke....did you do PT for Duke?

Do you have any sort of academic disciplinary record, or criminal record?

Is there any reason to believe that your recommendations had anything negative about you in them?

[GreatBraffsby]

How do you feel about your rec letters? They're the kind of thing that can't help much, but can really hurt if they give faint praise or indicate unfamiliarity.

[James.K.Polk]

My only opinion (besides those shared above) would be - did you express interest in these schools?

I'm a much worse applicant and have had a very fortunate cycle, and I think part of it is how I went out of my way to connect with admissions offices, or attach a note with my application, or 'put my best foot forward' when it came to personal statements and LOCIs. You can PM me if you want to see an example or something.

The only school I've been rejected from is Cornell, so I'm no help there... I'd also say that the 3 schools you have left are all schools you should be very competitive at (I guess maybe Columbia is a reach, but UVA and NYU certainly) so you may have more good options soon!

[Auxilio]

I'll say as someone who underperformed my numbers I really wish I had taken a year off and reapplied. I like Penn, and I had a good first semester. But still find it difficult thinking about how I should have gotten more money--or at least gone to a CNN for similar amounts.

[fliptrip]

OP, it's amazing but you're just in a very weird spot numbers wise. Your GPA is perfectly good paired with a 170 and your LSAT is perfectly good paired with a 3.9. From what I can see, the biggest surprises you've had so far are Northwestern and Duke. Did you interview with NW and do you have substantive work experience? The Duke one I just can't explain other than to assume the lack of pizzaz in your application kept you from getting over the line.

Of your remaining three, I wouldn't be surprised if you snag one of UVA and NYU. If you get one of those two, I'd say you performed roughly where your numbers would predict.

And JKP, I see what you're saying for sure and it is always a great idea to show strong interest in multiple ways, but if I remember correctly, you've got a 170+ LSAT and 170+ LSATs are just more scarce in the marketplace than 3.8+ GPAs, so in some important ways, you are a stronger applicant than OP.

[SupCutie]

Also, you should be in at Michigan and Duke....did you do PT for Duke?

Do you have any sort of academic disciplinary record, or criminal record?

Is there any reason to believe that your recommendations had anything negative about you in them?

How do you feel about your rec letters? They're the kind of thing that can't help much, but can really hurt if they give faint praise or indicate unfamiliarity.

Non PT for Duke, no C&F or academic issues. One recommendation is stellar, the other yeah, unfamiliarity (Prof wrote strictly about my writing).

OP, it's amazing but you're just in a very weird spot numbers wise. Your GPA is perfectly good paired with a 170 and your LSAT is perfectly good paired with a 3.9. From what I can see, the biggest surprises you've had so far are Northwestern and Duke. Did you interview with NW and do you have substantive work experience? The Duke one I just can't explain other than to assume the lack of pizzaz in your application kept you from getting over the line.

Of your remaining three, I wouldn't be surprised if you snag one of UVA and NYU. If you get one of those two, I'd say you performed roughly where your numbers would predict.

And JKP, I see what you're saying for sure and it is always a great idea to show strong interest in multiple ways, but if I remember correctly, you've got a 170+ LSAT and 170+ LSATs are just more scarce in the marketplace than 3.8+ GPAs, so in some important ways, you are a stronger applicant than OP.

Yes, interview with NW. Went okay. Have 2 years of work experience (nothing major, but law related). Mich, Duke and NW are really puzzling to me. On LSN the percentage was well over 80% for all three with my numbers. I'm satisfied with Cornell but I'd love to have more options.

[fliptrip]

^^ Stay patient. It's not over yet. Lots of movement happens in March.