Top 14 Law School With Academic Misconduct Possible Forum

[sidfiusoiadlikas]

Hello, I know this probably has been asked a lot on this forum, so sorry if this is repetitive. I'm in my sophomore year of undergrad at a t20 school, and during my literal first semester of university, I used ChatGPT to help me with 2 computer science assignments. Unbeknowst to me, they had a keylogger on the software, so when I wrote code they could see exactly what I was doing, and I got put on probation. The only grad sanction I received were for those two assignments, and my GPA right now is around a 3.9. I've taken the practice LSAT as well and have scored in the low 170s, and am hoping to bring that up in the future. That action I did ruined my college life for a couple of months and I felt really bad about what I'd done, as I tried to cheat and cut corners when things got hard, which was something I never thought that I would resort to. I'm never using that tool for anything ever again, and I plan to live the rest of my academic life in the right way. However, I've wanted to become a lawyer since I was a kid, and am hoping to go to a T14 in the future. Is there any chance that I can still do this assuming I have top notch academics and extracurriculars? What could I do to better my chances? Thanks for reading.

[nealric]

Sure, it's possible. Read the disclosure prompt carefully to see if you actually need to disclose it. If you do need to disclose it, write a concise and contrite explanation. I don't think it would be an absolute bar, but you will only know if you apply.

[siri949]

Hello, I know this probably has been asked a lot on this forum, so sorry if this is repetitive. I'm in my sophomore year of undergrad at a t20 school, and during my literal first semester of university, I used ChatGPT to help me with 2 computer science assignments. Unbeknowst to me, they had a keylogger on the software, so when I wrote code they could see exactly what I was doing, and I got put on probation. The only grad sanction I received were for those two assignments, and my GPA right now is around a 3.9. I've taken the practice LSAT as well and have scored in the low 170s, and am hoping to bring that up in the future. That action I did ruined my college life for a couple of months and I felt really bad about what I'd done, as I tried to cheat and cut corners when things got hard, which was something I never thought that I would resort to. I'm never using that tool for anything ever again, and I plan to live the rest of my academic life in the right way. However, I've wanted to become a lawyer since I was a kid, and am hoping to go to a T14 in the future. Is there any chance that I can still do this assuming I have top notch academics and extracurriculars? What could I do to better my chances? Thanks for reading.

I think disclosure + addendum, explaining what you learned from it and why it won't happen again, and strong LoRs from profs in the program (not necessarily talking about this incident, just those who would can speak to your skills and credibility in this area) would minimize any damage. It's tough to imagine it won't come up if you were on academic probation, and you certainly shouldn't hide it. "Full candor" is required for law school apps and the bar app, and they need to match. Definitely err on the side of over inclusive disclosure. Frankly, almost the only fatal "character and fitness" type issue to an application is dishonesty. (And like, violent felonies, etc.) If you do those things, you should be okay. If you decide to apply after a year or few of working, even better. I don't see it as being likely to prevent you from attending a T14 assuming you score extremely well on the LSAT and keep your GPA at a 3.9ish. It certainly won't prevent you from attending a good law school.