Fine Art college, NO GPA. Possibly scoring mid 160s on LSAT Forum

[maoam91]

I have been browsing the TLS forum for a while but have not seen anyone like myself, so I decided to make a new post in hope of getting some advises.

So, I studied Painting at a top fine art college without a GPA system (It was simply Credit/No Credit).
Having just taken the September LSAT, I have a feeling that I probably scored in the mid 160s. I am definitely planning on retaking in December, aiming at 170+.
Not URM.
No outstanding softs (interned at a law firm, an auction house, and did some full time marketing work for a company. I was also a research assistant for a professor).
I did take plenty of non studio classes in philosophy, social science research, arts administration, art history and art law, especially in my Junior and Senior year after I decided on applying to law school.
I'm not sure if this counts but I wrote an art law thesis in my senior year. (but not published anywhere)
Getting two strong LORs from professors whose classes focused on writing.

So, does anyone have any idea on my chances at a T20 law school if I get somewhere at 167 for my LSAT?

I am really nervous about not having a GPA, afraid that it will automatically mean my application's going into the "no" pile since it's too risky for the school to take in someone who cant demonstrate his or her undergraduate performance.

[Nagster5]

I have been browsing the TLS forum for a while but have not seen anyone like myself, so I decided to make a new post in hope of getting some advises.

So, I studied Painting at a top fine art college without a GPA system (It was simply Credit/No Credit).
Having just taken the September LSAT, I have a feeling that I probably scored in the mid 160s. I am definitely planning on retaking in December, aiming at 170+.
Not URM.
No outstanding softs (interned at a law firm, an auction house, and did some full time marketing work for a company. I was also a research assistant for a professor).
I did take plenty of non studio classes in philosophy, social science research, arts administration, art history and art law, especially in my Junior and Senior year after I decided on applying to law school.
I'm not sure if this counts but I wrote an art law thesis in my senior year. (but not published anywhere)
Getting two strong LORs from professors whose classes focused on writing.

So, does anyone have any idea on my chances at a T20 law school if I get somewhere at 167 for my LSAT?

I am really nervous about not having a GPA, afraid that it will automatically mean my application's going into the "no" pile since it's too risky for the school to take in someone who cant demonstrate his or her undergraduate performance.

Schools care about GPA primarily because their medians factors heavily into rankings, not so much as an indcator of ability to succeed in law school. I think with the background you described here and a 167 you'd get into a coupe T14s. I would definitely apply widely as your cycle might be unpredictable.

[maoam91]

I have been browsing the TLS forum for a while but have not seen anyone like myself, so I decided to make a new post in hope of getting some advises.

So, I studied Painting at a top fine art college without a GPA system (It was simply Credit/No Credit).
Having just taken the September LSAT, I have a feeling that I probably scored in the mid 160s. I am definitely planning on retaking in December, aiming at 170+.
Not URM.
No outstanding softs (interned at a law firm, an auction house, and did some full time marketing work for a company. I was also a research assistant for a professor).
I did take plenty of non studio classes in philosophy, social science research, arts administration, art history and art law, especially in my Junior and Senior year after I decided on applying to law school.
I'm not sure if this counts but I wrote an art law thesis in my senior year. (but not published anywhere)
Getting two strong LORs from professors whose classes focused on writing.

So, does anyone have any idea on my chances at a T20 law school if I get somewhere at 167 for my LSAT?

I am really nervous about not having a GPA, afraid that it will automatically mean my application's going into the "no" pile since it's too risky for the school to take in someone who cant demonstrate his or her undergraduate performance.

Schools care about GPA primarily because their medians factors heavily into rankings, not so much as an indcator of ability to succeed in law school. I think with the background you described here and a 167 you'd get into a coupe T14s. I would definitely apply widely as your cycle might be unpredictable.

Thank you so much for your reply, it definitely gives me a little confidence boost!
My ultimate dream school is Columbia, as it's probably the best place to study Art Law in the entire country. Eyeing UIUC/Chicago Kent as safe schools, and will blanket the lower T20s.

[cavalier1138]

Thank you so much for your reply, it definitely gives me a little confidence boost!
My ultimate dream school is Columbia, as it's probably the best place to study Art Law in the entire country. Eyeing UIUC/Chicago Kent as safe schools, and will blanket the lower T20s.

Columbia's a great school to shoot for, but you shouldn't be thinking of this process the same way as you did applying to undergrad (stop thinking of safety schools). If you're absolutely dead set on art law, make sure that it's a viable practice area for a recent graduate and see which schools feed those firms. I'd wager that Kent isn't one of them.