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My stats are at 3.42/168/Hispanic. I just got a job at a law firm, but no spectacular softs.

I sent out all my apps in late Jan-Feb. I didn't apply to Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, NYU, Chicago, or Boalt because they don't accept the Feb. LSAT score. I applied everywhere else in the t14 plus some t20s and so on. I'm on the WL at Virginia, and I haven't heard from anywhere else. I want to stay in the Bay Area after I graduate.

I really want to get into Boalt, although any of these are amazing. I understand my chances aren't great. I can't retake the LSAT.

Should I take another year off and apply really early to Boalt (who states applying early is incredibly beneficial, according to TLS) or any others? Is there any way to boost my GPA to look more attractive? Will getting a Masters help?

OR

Is this a huge waste of time? Should I try to go to Hastings or Santa Clara (maybe w/full scholly) instead?


Thanks for the input guys

URM admissions can be a crapshoot.

If you don't get into a T14, I would reapply next year (early this time). The late apps will probably be a boat anchor on your admission chances. You cannot increase your GPA if you have already graduated and getting a Masters will be a waste of time and money.

I understand my chances aren't great. I can't retake the LSAT.

Yes you can. You just don't feel like it.

Yes you can. You just don't feel like it.

I thought you can only take it 3 times, and I did. (153/161/168)

I heard you can request to take it again, but I'm not sure how. What do you have to do to take it again?

You can't take it more than 3 years in any given 2 year period. You can get a waiver form a school.

Grad09 wrote:

Yes you can. You just don't feel like it.

I thought you can only take it 3 times, and I did. (153/161/168)

I heard you can request to take it again, but I'm not sure how. What do you have to do to take it again?

Just ask the first school that rejects you. Tell them you want to retake the LSAT and reapply as a strong applicant this coming fall. However, after taking it three times it's hard to see you improving upon your 168.

I wouldn't settle for Santa Clara even with a full scholarship, you seem to have great options out there that have been shut out just because you're really late in the cycle. Just reapply next year and see if you have a shot at Boalt, UCLA, USC, or T14s. Santa Clara will still be there next year if you really want to consider the full ride.

Listen closely, Bo-Alt is not happening. Plan accordingly.

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BO-Alt is not a T-6. Besides, with that GPA and 3 LSAT scores I can't even immagine what softs could compensate.

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I'm actually a really broke Cuban (and I can prove it). I know there is an endless debate to whether or not I get a boost.

but if I got on the WL at Virginia with my stats, when I sent my app on the date of their deadline, I HAD to have some sort of a boost.

So is going to USC at sticker (which I think is my best chance for a cali t-20 school) better than a free-ride at SCU for practicing in the Bay Area?

Grad09 wrote:I'm actually a really broke Cuban (and I can prove it). I know there is an endless debate to whether or not I get a boost.

but if I got on the WL at Virginia with my stats, when I sent my app on the date of their deadline, I HAD to have some sort of a boost.

So is going to USC at sticker (which I think is my best chance for a cali t-20 school) better than a free-ride at SCU for practicing in the Bay Area?

No. UVA is notorious about WL-ing everyone and their mother.

As for your question, yes, USC would give you a better shot. Whether the somewhat greater probability of getting Bay Area out of USC relative to SCU is worth the monetary differential is a wholly different issue. I'm inclined to say no, but I am unfamiliar with 1) potential strings attached w/r/t your scholarship and 2) exact Bay Area placement from either school.

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He's Cuban, not Mexican/Puerto Rican. Adjust accordingly. I don't see you in the Top-6, personally.