New Potential Pre-law student Forum

[Guru13]

Hello.

If you click on my profile you can view my stats but I will tell you them anyways. I came out of undergrad about a year ago with a 2.88 GPA. I was originally a science major but I changed majors during my senior year. I am currently planning on taking the LSAT at the end of September and will apply in December after the grades are posted. I am interested in Health Law and want to pursue a joint degree in MCP/JD (Masters in City and Regional Planning). I have had some experience in a healthcare setting. Are there any suggestions from applicants in my situation as to how I can strengthen my application. I would also like to get a masters in bioethics later as well and end up doing some consulting, community work and health policy work. The only thing I have to go on are US News and World Report's rankings of Health Law programs. The best school in my situation right now to apply to is U of Houston. Again any suggestions (i.e., school, application strengthening, etc.)?

[sundontshine]

Don't go based on the specialty ranking of Health Law programs. Nobody pays attention to those. Look at the normal USNWR rankings.

[DMW723]

I'm no admissions expert, but you really just need to focus on getting as high of an LSAT score as you possibly can. All the other stuff should be white noise right now.

[RZ5646]

Hello.
2.88 GPA .... Are there any suggestions from applicants in my situation as to how I can strengthen my application.

Get over 170 on the LSAT and pray. Work experience may help you a bit, but your GPA is awful so you'll need an amazing LSAT score to make up for it.

Don't base your decision on specialty rankings. Instead, look at employment data and cost of attendance to see if going to law school makes sense for you.

[Nomo]

(1) Ditch the MPC if you want to do health law. That's just wasted money.

(2) Don't do a dual degree in bioethics either. Its still probably wasted money.

(3) Get a career, preferably in an field closely related to the type of practice you want to be in. A few schools will be more likely to overlook your GPA if you distance yourself from it by waiting 4 or 5 years and having a successful career. This will do so much more for you than a master's degree ever could.

(4) Get a 170 on the LSAT. With you're going to need it to give yourself a chance at a school that will give you a chance in the job market.