Top Law Schools

Currently a rising senior at an Ivy studying political science. I am debating whether to law school directly out of undergrad or wait/work a year. My main issue is a mediocre GPA - a 3.4 freshman year hurt me but I've averaged 3.9 every semester since. My stats right now are:

UGPA: 3.68
LSAT: Will take in September, based on PT's I'm aiming for ~175
Softs: internships every summer, extracurricular leadership (founded a fairly successful organization)

Scenario 1: Apply this fall with a 3.68

Scenario 2: Finish up undergrad (writing a Senior thesis through the honors program, so I'll graduate with latin honors), improve GPA to 3.72-3.75, gain 1 year of work experience. I would apply for scholarships (Fulbright, etc), or do some sort of DC-based political work. Apply next fall.

My dream would be Harvard or Columbia, so while I feel that while I'm a bit of a reach at the moment, I think taking the extra year to improve my stats and get work experience would be a huge help. Am I missing any advantage that applying directly out of undergrad would provide?

If I do decide to take a gap year I will need to begin applying for opportunities right away in the fall, so I've got to make this decision soon.

Absolutely take a year or two off. There is absolutely no downside. If anything the work experience will help. KJDs are at a disadvantage at Harvard.

Replitz wrote:Currently a rising senior at an Ivy studying political science. I am debating whether to law school directly out of undergrad or wait/work a year. My main issue is a mediocre GPA - a 3.4 freshman year hurt me but I've averaged 3.9 every semester since. My stats right now are:

UGPA: 3.68
LSAT: Will take in September, based on PT's I'm aiming for ~175
Softs: internships every summer, extracurricular leadership (founded a fairly successful organization)

Scenario 1: Apply this fall with a 3.68

Scenario 2: Finish up undergrad (writing a Senior thesis through the honors program, so I'll graduate with latin honors), improve GPA to 3.72-3.75, gain 1 year of work experience. I would apply for scholarships (Fulbright, etc), or do some sort of DC-based political work. Apply next fall.

My dream would be Harvard or Columbia, so while I feel that while I'm a bit of a reach at the moment, I think taking the extra year to improve my stats and get work experience would be a huge help. Am I missing any advantage that applying directly out of undergrad would provide?

If I do decide to take a gap year I will need to begin applying for opportunities right away in the fall, so I've got to make this decision soon.

Just do what you want. You are probably really intelligent, but getting a little perspective from a year out of school is never a bad thing (it definitely was a positive thing for me). Once you get into law school it, it moves quickly and there is little free time.

Gap years never hurt unless they're spent in prison.

Question: Is it financially feasible for you to stay in undergrad an extra year (rich parents and/or generous scholarship?). If so, staying and getting that 3.72-3.75 even higher might not be a bad option. With a 3.72-3.75 you've still got a below median GPA for almost every schoolin the T-14. An extra 24 hours of As or so could potentially give you an entirely different cycle.

But only do this if you have the $. I wouldn't take out loans to do so.

I took a gap year it was 180. Honors thesis political work it's all 180 and will help you maek it! Take the gap year enjoy life and strive to achieve your dreams!

emkay625 wrote:Question: Is it financially feasible for you to stay in undergrad an extra year (rich parents and/or generous scholarship?). If so, staying and getting that 3.72-3.75 even higher might not be a bad option. With a 3.72-3.75 you've still got a below median GPA for almost every schoolin the T-14. An extra 24 hours of As or so could potentially give you an entirely different cycle.

But only do this if you have the $. I wouldn't take out loans to do so.

Unfortunately not... I'll be graduating next spring.

Capitol_Idea wrote:Gap years never hurt unless they're spent in prison.

came to post this.

take a break you striver.