3.5/173 Science non-URM Forum

[Marisa5252]

Hey I'm waiting to hear from schools and I'm looking for a little hope

3.5/173, graduated '08 and have been working in a research lab at UPENN, majored in chemistry and physics at UVA (where I just did get accepted)

still waiting for:
Columbia
NYU
UPENN (where I'd like to go - I'm a Philadelphia local)
GTown

Anybody have an idea of my chances?

[reese23]

I think you are in everywhere. The only ones that might ding you are NYU and Columbi, but for sure I think you will get in to the rest. Good luck.

BTW, how did you study for the LSAT? Nice work!

[Marisa5252]

Thanks! I hope you're right - Penn is my first choice so it would be amazing if I got in there.


Re: LSATs - I did the Kaplan course and actually put a good bit of effort into it. They have you take a test right at the beginning of the course so you can see how much you improve (you get your money back if you don't) and I started with a 164. So it was a lot of money (~$1500) but I think definitely worth it if you can do it - if only for all the practice sections/tests you get.

[Helmholtz]

Georgetown is almost certain.
Columbia is out.
NYU is iffy.
Penn is possible, but far from a sure thing.

fwiw, I have almost the exact same numbers

[Marisa5252]

Thanks! and good luck to you! This waiting sucks...

[scribelaw]

Georgetown is almost certain.
Columbia is out.
NYU is iffy.
Penn is possible, but far from a sure thing.

fwiw, I have almost the exact same numbers

Helm, you think Columbia is out for sure? Because of GPA?

[Helmholtz]

Georgetown is almost certain.
Columbia is out.
NYU is iffy.
Penn is possible, but far from a sure thing.

fwiw, I have almost the exact same numbers

Helm, you think Columbia is out for sure? Because of GPA?

Pretty much, yeah. If the OP had a higher LSAT to mitigate it, then there would be a possibility, but I don't think anything short of maybe a 175 would do it.

[Tangerine Gleam]

How many optional Penn essays did you submit? I think that will be a significant factor. Also, when did you submit?

FWIW, I got into Penn with a similar GPA and 172 LSAT. If you give the school compelling reasons to believe that it's a top choice, I think you've got a strong shot. Good luck!

[im_blue]

I think you're in at GULC and NYU, out at Columbia, and a tossup at Penn.

[ihatelaw]

it seems like cls has raised there standards because i got in with similar numbers straight out of undergrad. CLS/NYU are possible, it really matters on the rest of your application. Penn I think is easier to get in if you wrote a Why Penn essay.

[shephrdpie]

Just wanted to respond because I have the same numbers and applied to a lot of the same schools. I am also a Philly local, and was working full-time while applying to schools and Penn is one of my top choices. My feeling is that you will get in at Georgetown, and get into one or two of Columbia, NYU and UPenn. That may be optimistic, because I have the same numbers and want the odds to be good, but take it for what it's worth. Good Luck and I am definitely getting frustrated by the waiting as well!

[Marisa5252]

Thanks for all the replies!! I'm hoping I'll hear something this week... At least one way or the other then I'll know!

[Marisa5252]

Just thought I would update because I feel like people always ask for their chances and people give their opinions but we never know how it turns out... (also I'm at work and I'm bored)

So far I've gotten acceptances to both GULC and NYU
I haven't heard yet from CLS or UPENN.

[shephrdpie]

Congrats! I've only heard from NYU, and I got in there as well. Still waitin on the rest. Good luck!

[vanwinkle]

If you didn't do a "Why Penn?" then you'd better write them a LOCI and tell them you really want to attend them. Otherwise they might WL you.

[Marisa5252]

I did the Why Penn... I applied a little late (Dec 16 - my app didn't go complete until Jan 14) and I know from stalking LSN that they just called a bunch of people who applied the last couple weeks of Nov so I think they just haven't gotten to me. If I don't hear from them in their next "round" of calls/e-mails I'm thinking I'll send a LOCI. Does anyone have any ideas as to whether that's a good idea? or if I should "save" it in case I do get WL'd?