Splitter 2.5/177 Forum

[pamphleteer]

Sorry to bring up this old threat, but I ended up never actually applying. Was waiting for more statistics to come in from the last couple of years of admission data.

I want to be lawyer, but at this point I don't know if it's worth it. There's only a small chance I'll get in to a t14, in which case I could go into a career in biglaw if I do well, and have tons of debt. Or I can go to a lower-ranked law school, but will I get enough scholarship money to be worth the lower lifetime earnings I'd get coming out of a TTT law school in this economy?

Anyone know how splitters are doing this year so far?

2.56/172, got into Northwestern (presumably at sticker but I don't think I'll know for sure until the need access app), WUSTL with $$$, UMN with $$$$ and some other decent regionals that haven't gotten back to me about scholarships (ND, Iowa). I actually haven't been dinged anywhere yet but I did get WLed at Vandy.

You're probably not gonna get into a top ten school (though I'd throw a few hail mary apps at NYU, UVA and Penn if I was you, as long as you apply early next cycle) but I'd be shocked if NU rejected you even if you applied right now. The question is whether you'll get into a school worth attending at a price point that makes it worthwhile. Assuming you're applying next cycle, apply to the three aforementioned "reach" schools, DNCG, Vandy, WUSTL, UMN (for $ negotiation purposes) and strong regionals in the area you want to practice. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how many good options you'll have at which point you can make a decision based on cost. When coupled with a strong LSAT (and yours is way better than mine), a low GPA doesn't seem to be as much of a dealbreaker as it was even 3-4 cycles ago.

Also one other thing: if you're not interested in practicing in Chicago/the midwest generally, I can't say I really recommend going to law school with your profile. No school in California worth attending will give you any money (or possibly even accept you) and you're almost certainly shut out of Columbia, NYU, Cornell (they tend to be GPA whores) or Fordham at a reasonable price for the NYC market. I guess if you really wanted NYC you could get there from NU. You also probably won't get into Texas unless you're a resident. Anyway, my point being, your best options will likely be NU or money at a strong regional that feeds primarily into midwestern markets (WUSTL, Illinois, Notre Dame, UMN) so if that's not something you're interested in, it's probably best not to go.

[CanadianWolf]

The stats on LSN do not account for a 7 year hiatus with substantial work experience. Focus on your GPA after returning to finish your undergraduate degree & on your superb LSAT score of 177. The 177 will get your application read; advocate for yourself. You should be admitted to several T-14 law schools, in my opinion.

[retirw]

Sorry to bring up this old threat, but I ended up never actually applying. Was waiting for more statistics to come in from the last couple of years of admission data.

I want to be lawyer, but at this point I don't know if it's worth it. There's only a small chance I'll get in to a t14, in which case I could go into a career in biglaw if I do well, and have tons of debt. Or I can go to a lower-ranked law school, but will I get enough scholarship money to be worth the lower lifetime earnings I'd get coming out of a TTT law school in this economy?

Anyone know how splitters are doing this year so far?

I'm a 2.4/165 splitter with good softs applying this cycle. I was very skeptical of my chances, especially because I didn't have a major time gap between my undergrad and now to explain the gpa (only 1 year). I applied to a local law school, which offered me a full ride, and an in state school which also admitted me (no $$). So far I have heard from two other schools, one good regional school which offered ~75% scholarship and one T-30 that offered ~50% scholarship (the T-30 made the offer only 4 days after I applied). I am still waiting to hear from one T-14 which I ED'd, and three other T-30. One of the schools asked for additional documents, but no dings or WL yet.

[ballcaps]

I mean, you're below the 25th at Barry, Cooley, and Phoenix School of Law...You have a coin flip at most of those schools, nothing more, nothing less. I also don't think you get a "huge" scholarship no matter where you apply. You might get a small one at TTT's and below, but you'd be lucky to even get into a strong regional, let alone a lot of money.

2.56/172, got into Northwestern (presumably at sticker but I don't think I'll know for sure until the need access app), WUSTL with $$$, UMN with $$$$ and some other decent regionals that haven't gotten back to me about scholarships (ND, Iowa).

lol, sounds like this was completely wrong, huh? pamphleteer even had 5 fewer points on the lsat.

[NonTradLawHopeful]

One thing TLS doubts many times is how much valuable work experience can be a factor for non-traditional applicants. I applied with a similar GPA and a 160s LSAT and got over 75% scholarships at three T-50 schools and WL'd at a T-20. I'm confident my 5 years work experience played a factor. I'm actually re-taking and re-applying next year in hopes of having an application like OPs.

[Tiago Splitter]

One thing TLS doubts many times is how much valuable work experience can be a factor for non-traditional applicants. I applied with a similar GPA and a 160s LSAT and got over 75% scholarships at three T-50 schools and WL'd at a T-20. I'm confident my 5 years work experience played a factor. I'm actually re-taking and re-applying next year in hopes of having an application like OPs.

Work experience doesn't do much. Some schools outside the T-14 just really want to shore up their LSAT median and will largely ignore GPA to do so. With rare exceptions, schools like Indiana, ASU, Washington & Lee, WUSTL and Illinois, among many others, just flat out aren't rejecting above-median students any longer, and in many cases are offering huge scholarships for any LSAT at or above the target median.