3.5/160 should I give UW a shot? Forum

[Rigo]

Additional volunteer experience is not going to meaningfully affect your admission chances. Law schools give zero fucks about that shit when compared to your GPA/LSAT.

I mean, let's say I applied to UW and I had a 3.5/160 - and someone else had the same score but volunteered weekly with the Washington State Historical Society or something - and there was one spot left, chances are the other guy would get selected, correct? And if that were the case, wouldn't it be extremely important that you did get involved in civic activities so as to win any potential tie-breaker?

If you want to volunteer, do so for altruistic reasons.
Instead of worrying about silly softs, you should study for a retake using all that time you would have spent volunteering.

[BigZuck]

You're going to spend hours of your life doing something in hopes of winning out a tiebreaker in the unlikely scenario you're up against another borderline candidate with identical numbers? By all means volunteer to stuff if you have real reasons for doing so but if you just want to improve your law school application then the LSAT is really the only way to do that.

I'd also think a little deeper about your connection to the leader of the company and their willingness to hire you with a TTT law degree. If you really were buddy buddy with him wouldn't he pay you at least 12 bucks an hour? Sounds like just some random job my dude.

[Alembic_of_Man]

I'd also think a little deeper about your connection to the leader of the company and their willingness to hire you with a TTT law degree. If you really were buddy buddy with him wouldn't he pay you at least 12 bucks an hour? Sounds like just some random job my dude.

Like I said, real small company that always - always - hires within the company before they hire outside of the company.
But I agree, a degree from UW would look far more appealing than one from SU. If I were to go to that school, I would certainly not feel as confident.

Also, I wouldn't ask for a raise so soon after inquiring about the promotion. We all need to pick our battles wisely in the rat race

[redtalun]

I've taken the LSAT twice - 155 the first time and 160 the second time. I understand this is not ideal.
The first time I was working near full time and - because of our lovely quarter system - the LSAT fell during finals.
The second time I had literally - literally - just flew in from Washington DC after an intensive 10 week internship.

I graduated with a 3.5 but packed in each quarter to the limit (and then some at times) while, as I said previously, working almost full time.

I have a long track record of volunteering and work experience, and am currently employed as well.

And last but not least, there's a chance I could qualify as a URM - even though I'm a white guy, but I'm a homosexual who has had leadership experience in the past in LGBT school groups.

Getting into the University of Washington is a dream of mine, but I know it's a stretch due to my numbers. I know if I do apply I'll need to write an addendum for my poor numbers.

I've got two questions:

1) Should I even apply?
2) Should I wait until around January to apply - in the mean time doing more community service and volunteer work to boost my application. Or should I get the application in by November 15th to try for early decision?

If I get a big fat "nay" I wouldn't be downtrodden. Seattle University is a good school as well and has that Alaska link - a bit of opportunity there, I'm sure.

Thank you for responding!

Current UW student here.

1) 3.5/160 puts you roughly in the bottom 25th percentile in both GPA/LSAT. I'm not sure that the pluses you listed (in-state, URM, volunteer/WE) will be enough without a particularly compelling story. It might be, but getting your LSAT up to 164-165 will help immensely.
2) Apply as early as you can but use the normal (non-ED) route. If you get admitted ED you cannot negotiate financial aid as you've made a binding commitment to attend.

Side note: I would not recommend SU law as employment prospects are bleak and COA is extremely high.

[Alembic_of_Man]

Thanks for the heads up!

[Ron Don Volante]

I have a passion for law the same as anyone here - I'm interested in aviation law, environmental law, health law.

It's not a passing fancy.

These are a couple of pretty concerning sentences. I don't think you have much of an idea what you're getting yourself into.

[postard]

In re half-ish rides: I was offered 20k/year on top of in state, which made it cheaper for law school than it was for my undergrad (@thesameschool) with a 168 and a high GPA. Retake, and you could get that too maybe.