Law school early decision admissions, what schools? Forum

[trumandoct]

Hello, I am writing to ask your opinion of what law schools I should be looking at. I go to a NESCAC school and am a double major. I have work experience by interning with attorneys and a magistrate judge. Because I failed a class freshman year, I only have a 3.2 cum gpa. However, my poly sci and history major's gpa are both a 3.5. My LSAT score is 160. I am interested in going early decision to the best law school possible, and money is not a problem. Right now, I am looking at the University of Texas, Notre Dame, and Northwestern. Are those stretches for early decision? What law schools should I look at? Thanks

[FN-2187]

TLSers are going to tell you to come back when you have a reportable LSAT score, to detail what your goals are to get better advice, and to not ED. But to answer your questions now, yes, they are all stretches with your GPA regardless of ED and you shouldn't look at schools until you have a reportable score.

[cavalier1138]

Everything is a stretch for you without an actual LSAT score in hand. But some general things to think about:

-You should not apply ED to any school that doesn't offer a guaranteed scholarship with ED acceptance. This isn't the same as applying for undergrad. Applying ED rarely increases your chances of acceptance, but it always increases your chances of paying a dumb price for a school you probably would have been admitted to anyway.

-Money is a consideration. You just don't think it is right now. Unless your parents would be happy to literally throw $300,000 in the fireplace and light it up, money is a consideration.

-Your law school choice should be based on your desired career track and where you want to practice. So what are your career goals?

-Your major GPA counts for nothing. You have a 3.2, which will put you below the 25th percentile GPA of most law schools. You need to aim for a much higher LSAT to maximize your chances at admissions to a decent school with a decent amount of aid.

-You should strongly consider taking at least a year off between undergrad and law school.

ETA: That guy above must be some kind of psychic.

[trumandoct]

Everything is a stretch for you without an actual LSAT score in hand. But some general things to think about:

-You should not apply ED to any school that doesn't offer a guaranteed scholarship with ED acceptance. This isn't the same as applying for undergrad. Applying ED rarely increases your chances of acceptance, but it always increases your chances of paying a dumb price for a school you probably would have been admitted to anyway.

-Money is a consideration. You just don't think it is right now. Unless your parents would be happy to literally throw $300,000 in the fireplace and light it up, money is a consideration.

-Your law school choice should be based on your desired career track and where you want to practice. So what are your career goals?

-Your major GPA counts for nothing. You have a 3.2, which will put you below the 25th percentile GPA of most law schools. You need to aim for a much higher LSAT to maximize your chances at admissions to a decent school with a decent amount of aid.

-You should strongly consider taking at least a year off between undergrad and law school.

ETA: That guy above must be some kind of psychic.

I am not sure what law I want to practice and I have no preference to where. Does where I go for UG have anything to do with admissions. With more grades right now what schools should I be looking at? Thanks

[cavalier1138]

I am not sure what law I want to practice and I have no preference to where. Does where I go for UG have anything to do with admissions. With more grades right now what schools should I be looking at? Thanks

Ok, more broadly: what do you want to do for a living?

No, the undergrad you go to does not matter. And no one can tell you what schools are possible for you based solely on GPA. Your LSAT will determine which schools you are competitive for.

[Mullens]

I like how you clearly edited your original post to pretend you have an LSAT score. A 3.2/160 won’t get you into any law school worth attending and that’s before you even factor in how stupid it is to apply anywhere that early decision doesn’t come with a guaranteed scholarship.

[trumandoct]

I am not sure what law I want to practice and I have no preference to where. Does where I go for UG have anything to do with admissions. With more grades right now what schools should I be looking at? Thanks

Ok, more broadly: what do you want to do for a living?

No, the undergrad you go to does not matter. And no one can tell you what schools are possible for you based solely on GPA. Your LSAT will determine which schools you are competitive for.

I am interested in either securities or criminal law. I have taken many practice LSATs and have landed in the 153-165 range. If I were to get a 162, what schools should I be looking at?

[Mullens]

I am not sure what law I want to practice and I have no preference to where. Does where I go for UG have anything to do with admissions. With more grades right now what schools should I be looking at? Thanks

Ok, more broadly: what do you want to do for a living?

No, the undergrad you go to does not matter. And no one can tell you what schools are possible for you based solely on GPA. Your LSAT will determine which schools you are competitive for.

I am interested in either securities or criminal law. I have taken many practice LSATs and have landed in the 153-165 range. If I were to get a 162, what schools should I be looking at?

Go play around on mylsn.info and law school transparency and use the search feature on this site. You’re very clearly in the early stages of considering law school and you need to do a lot of research and leverage the resources available both here and on the Internet. Securities and criminal law are very different and you’d be looking at very different school choices (unless you’re talking about doing white collar insider trading stuff).

[cavalier1138]

I am interested in either securities or criminal law.

Securities and criminal law are very different fields. Do you have at least a vague idea of where you want to practice (in terms of private sector, government, etc.)? What salary would you like to make?

And I'm just going to stop entertaining any questions you ask about which schools you are competitive for. You've gotten your answer already.