4.0 at a top 20, Harvard? Forum

lawskool86 · Post by **lawskool86** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 12:22 pm

Hi,

I just finished my first semester at a T20 with a 4.0! Is Harvard a possibility? Not sure where I rank yet, but I would have to think top 1%-3%. If not harvard then how high can I go?

Thanks!

Shooter · Post by **Shooter** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 12:26 pm

LSAT?

Edit: FLAME.

lawskool86 · Post by **lawskool86** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 12:32 pm

Not a flame. Got an A in every class. Would I be a "lock" at any schools in the top ten? Should I apply to Chicago ED or roll the dice and hope I duplicate it this semester?

171 LSAT

random5483 · Post by **random5483** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 12:47 pm

lawskool86 wrote:Not a flame. Got an A in every class. Would I be a "lock" at any schools in the top ten? Should I apply to Chicago ED or roll the dice and hope I duplicate it this semester?

171 LSAT

You will almost definitely get into CCN. If you apply ED to Chicago, you will most likely be accepted. You have a decent chance at HYS if you maintain your grades next semester. I would recommend you apply to all three since there are no guarantees (though H is your best shot).

Personally, in your position I would not apply to Chicago. Even with your grades slipping a little you should make it into CCN regular decision. However, an ED application to Chicago will kill your chances at HYS, and if you duplicate your performance you will have a decent shot at HYS.

Regionality · Post by **Regionality** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 1:16 pm

What school has a curve where a 4.0 isn't necessarily top 1%? you're actually saying straight A's could get maybe get you top 3%? That's crazy.

lawskool86 · Post by **lawskool86** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 1:19 pm

Mean is 3.25, they give out A+'s which is a 4.33.

Regionality · Post by **Regionality** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 1:21 pm

lawskool86 wrote:Mean is 3.25, they give out A+'s which is a 4.33.

Crazy. mean is 3.00 at Wisconsin. 4.0 is #2 or #3 in the class. A+'s are given out too, they are 4.3.

thesealocust · Post by **thesealocust** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 1:22 pm

Regionality wrote:What school has a curve where a 4.0 isn't necessarily top 1%? you're actually saying straight A's could get maybe get you top 3%? That's crazy.

At Northwestern, a 4.0 is barely above median.

lawloser22 · Post by **lawloser22** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 1:23 pm

Harvard is definitely a possibility. The only reason I could see you getting shut out of HYS is if everyone (assuming there even is anyone) above you apply to transfer too. They don't like to take more than a 1 or 2 from any given school, though I'm sure there are exceptions.

I would hold out for Harvard as well, you're exactly the type of person they look for.

lawskool86 · Post by **lawskool86** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 1:24 pm

I'm still a little stunned by the grades. I don't think it has sunk in yet. I have never even considered that I may be #2 or #3 in the class, but I guess that is also in play.

DoubleChecks · Post by **DoubleChecks** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 1:28 pm

lawloser22 wrote:Harvard is definitely a possibility. The only reason I could see you getting shut out of HYS is if everyone (assuming there even is anyone) above you apply to transfer too. They don't like to take more than a 1 or 2 from any given school, though I'm sure there are exceptions.

I would hold out for Harvard as well, you're exactly the type of person they look for.

haha lawloser, i thought you were OP (lawskool) for a sec and i was like wait what? is he answering his own question???

D.Wilde · Post by **D.Wilde** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:43 pm

Last year, I was almost exactly in your position: T25 with 4.0 1st semester GPA. I should point out that at this point in the year I was... somewhere around #5-6 in the overall class. In second semester, I went up a bit and clinched #1 in my section. I held out for Harvard, and I'm currently having a blast enjoying Cambridge's -22 degree wind chill.

phoenixsoars · Post by **phoenixsoars** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 4:11 am

D.Wilde · Post by **D.Wilde** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 8:10 am

phoenixsoars wrote:
lawskool86 wrote:Hi,

I just finished my first semester at a T20 with a 4.0! Is Harvard a possibility? Not sure where I rank yet, but I would have to think top 1%-3%. If not harvard then how high can I go?

Thanks!
Congratulations on your excellent grades, but don't get too excited. There may be someone who got A+s in every class first semester, in which case you'll need to maintain or improve next semester if you want to get into Harvard. That guy with the 4.33 or the 4.27 is your competition, so make sure you outgun him.

Oh Phoenix...

OP: While yes, it is true that you may technically be in competition with that guy, first off it might be (practically) impossible to "outgun him" because he's in a different section. Second, even if you don't beat him, you've still got a shot at admission. For example: Last year, Phoenix and I attended the same school. I finished as #1 in my section, and although Phoenix did have a higher GPA than I did by year's end (different section), we're still going to school together, except now we're at Harvard.

Do the best you can. HLS is definitely within reach.

bradley · Post by **bradley** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 12:53 pm

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