WUSTL Waitlist Forum

[matei566]

I am on the waitlist at washU and I was wondering if I should still be holding out hope/if there is anything I can do to improve my chances. My LSAT was 161 and 3.3 gap, which I realize is low for WUSTL. Any input would be much appreciated.

[woeisme]

I am on the waitlist at washU and I was wondering if I should still be holding out hope/if there is anything I can do to improve my chances. My LSAT was 161 and 3.3 gap, which I realize is low for WUSTL. Any input would be much appreciated.

Retake LSAT? You can get in with big money if you increase your score by 5-10 points. Feasible?

Absent that, your chances are probably slim. You're still in the game, but make alternative plans.

[wustl2014]

Your admission will depend wholly on how many deposits the school receives from high-LSAT / GPA candidates. Because you will be offered no scholarship if admitted, the school will balance its need for money & seat fillers against its desire to maintain its means. You very well may be accepted. I know a few people who did not get in off of the wait list until a week or two before the first day of classes. If you are willing to wait it out, put a deposit down at another school and stay in touch. Good luck!

[matei566]

Your admission will depend wholly on how many deposits the school receives from high-LSAT / GPA candidates. Because you will be offered no scholarship if admitted, the school will balance its need for money & seat fillers against its desire to maintain its means. You very well may be accepted. I know a few people who did not get in off of the wait list until a week or two before the first day of classes. If you are willing to wait it out, put a deposit down at another school and stay in touch. Good luck!

in the off chance that I am accepted would paying full price be worth it? as you said they won't give me money if I am coming in off the wait list. The other schools I have narrowed it down to are SLU and LUC, slu with substantial scholarship and LUC with a smaller scholarship.

[matei566]

I am on the waitlist at washU and I was wondering if I should still be holding out hope/if there is anything I can do to improve my chances. My LSAT was 161 and 3.3 gap, which I realize is low for WUSTL. Any input would be much appreciated.

Retake LSAT? You can get in with big money if you increase your score by 5-10 points. Feasible?

Absent that, your chances are probably slim. You're still in the game, but make alternative plans.

would this mean waiting until the next cycle? I really don't want to have to do that.

[woeisme]

would this mean waiting until the next cycle? I really don't want to have to do that.

Yeah, I think it would mean that. It's your call. Where are you headed if not WUSTL? What are your career goals? Was the 161 pretty representative of your LSAT potential? What would you do if you took a year off? ... Lots of questions to ponder, but I'd consider this. Remember, law school admissions is largely a numbers game and the legal job market is prestige-driven (at least for many career paths).

[Birdnals]

If I was you, I would plan on taking the June LSAT and ride out the waitlist. If you do significantly better then try to get off waitlist with money. If not go to SLU (if you are from St. Louis and “significant” means less than 20K a year COA including cost of living)

That or hold out a cycle and get some work experience.

[matei566]

If I was you, I would plan on taking the June LSAT and ride out the waitlist. If you do significantly better then try to get off waitlist with money. If not go to SLU (if you are from St. Louis and “significant” means less than 20K a year COA including cost of living)

That or hold out a cycle and get some work experience.

so taking the June LSAT (it would be my third time), and getting a hopefully higher score would up my chances? I only ask because I feel like that could be too late to make a difference. Significant does mean less than 20k total. Would LUC not factor in your consideration? I am considering it over SLU

[Birdnals]

so taking the June LSAT (it would be my third time), and getting a hopefully higher score would up my chances? I only ask because I feel like that could be too late to make a difference. Significant does mean less than 20k total. Would LUC not factor in your consideration? I am considering it over SLU

It couldn’t hurt. With a 168+ you are almost guaranteed money from Wustl and your slu money will turn into a full ride.

This is all contingent on you being willing to wait out a cycle if you do get a great LSAT. (which if you get a 168+ you would be dumb NOT to wait out a cycle and see what you can get)


That said, I don’t think SLU for 60K total (maybe less with summer jobs/ clerking jobs) is a terrible life decision. IDK what LUC is, but if you are from St. Louis and/or want to work in St. Louis I wouldn’t go to anywhere but t14, wustl ($), slu ($$$), or mizzou ($$$)

ETA: or UIUC ($$)

[matei566]

That said, I don’t think SLU for 60K total (maybe less with summer jobs/ clerking jobs) is a terrible life decision. IDK what LUC is, but if you are from St. Louis and/or want to work in St. Louis I wouldn’t go to anywhere but t14, wustl ($), slu ($$$), or mizzou ($$$)

ETA: or UIUC ($$)

loyola university chicago

[Birdnals]

That said, I don’t think SLU for 60K total (maybe less with summer jobs/ clerking jobs) is a terrible life decision. IDK what LUC is, but if you are from St. Louis and/or want to work in St. Louis I wouldn’t go to anywhere but t14, wustl ($), slu ($$$), or mizzou ($$$)

ETA: or UIUC ($$)

loyola university chicago

Do not go to Loyola short of a full ride. It is a tough market, cost of living is huge, is extremely oversaturated with law schools/grads (including 2 VERY good schools), and if you aren’t from Chicago and/or haven’t lived here for a while then that is just one more disadvantage. LUC shouldn’t even be an option at this point.

[matei566]

That said, I don’t think SLU for 60K total (maybe less with summer jobs/ clerking jobs) is a terrible life decision. IDK what LUC is, but if you are from St. Louis and/or want to work in St. Louis I wouldn’t go to anywhere but t14, wustl ($), slu ($$$), or mizzou ($$$)

ETA: or UIUC ($$)

loyola university chicago

Do not go to Loyola short of a full ride. It is a tough market, cost of living is huge, is extremely oversaturated with law schools/grads (including 2 VERY good schools), and if you aren’t from Chicago and/or haven’t lived here for a while then that is just one more disadvantage. LUC shouldn’t even be an option at this point.

See that's where I'm having trouble, I am not sure I would want to work/live in st. louis, and would probably feel better in chicago. In any case thanks for the insight, I guess I have some things to think about.

[BarcaCrossesTheAlps]

Just withdraw from the WL and retake, but in October, not July. Give yourself some time to decompress and then attack the lsat again. Get what you really want. Sitting out a cycle may be the right thing here...

[woeisme]

Just withdraw from the WL and retake, but in October, not July. Give yourself some time to decompress and then attack the lsat again. Get what you really want. Sitting out a cycle may be the right thing here...

Conflict of interest?

[BarcaCrossesTheAlps]

Just withdraw from the WL and retake, but in October, not July. Give yourself some time to decompress and then attack the lsat again. Get what you really want. Sitting out a cycle may be the right thing here...

Conflict of interest?

I'm actually thinking about doing the same. I really want WUSTL, but really, how much aid would I get off the WL? If I do retake, it will be October for sure. I'll get a job, save some dough, and study like the end of the world. Who knows? Maybe I'd score high enough to break into the top 14. There are many people on this board who have accomplished that very thing...which is inspiring.

[matei566]

Just withdraw from the WL and retake, but in October, not July. Give yourself some time to decompress and then attack the lsat again. Get what you really want. Sitting out a cycle may be the right thing here...

if you don't mind sharing what are your numbers, I feel like we are kind of in the same boat as I am not an ethnic minority but have "unique life experiences." Any idea on how much that would help?

[BarcaCrossesTheAlps]

Just withdraw from the WL and retake, but in October, not July. Give yourself some time to decompress and then attack the lsat again. Get what you really want. Sitting out a cycle may be the right thing here...

if you don't mind sharing what are your numbers, I feel like we are kind of in the same boat as I am not an ethnic minority but have "unique life experiences." Any idea on how much that would help?

Rule of thumb: If #'s aren't in profile, PM the person.

Having said that, I PM'd you

[wustl2014]

Your admission will depend wholly on how many deposits the school receives from high-LSAT / GPA candidates. Because you will be offered no scholarship if admitted, the school will balance its need for money & seat fillers against its desire to maintain its means. You very well may be accepted. I know a few people who did not get in off of the wait list until a week or two before the first day of classes. If you are willing to wait it out, put a deposit down at another school and stay in touch. Good luck!

in the off chance that I am accepted would paying full price be worth it? as you said they won't give me money if I am coming in off the wait list. The other schools I have narrowed it down to are SLU and LUC, slu with substantial scholarship and LUC with a smaller scholarship.

I think it is worth it. But, from what I hear, the St. Louis market likes SLU grads. And debt is not fun.

Law school is extremely challenging, even for the brightest and hardest working students. Make sure to go somewhere that will make you happy.

[confusedlaw]

just got in with scholars of law scholarship what is tha?