What are my odds? Forum

[SusanZ]

Hi you guys,

great forum; just came across it recently (Wish I had earlier), but if someone could provide some input or words of comfort I'd appreciate it...

I was freaking out about WHERE to apply to law school- as in, where in the country, in my state of TX or out of state)...

And I just submitted my applications before some of the deadlines- I sent everything in by Feb. 14.

I applied to South Texas, Houston, and SMU (part time- thats where I did my undergad and the pre-law adviser told me I'd have a good chance) McGeorge, American University (part time- its a reach, but I thought why not) Baltimore, Hofstra, and Temple (part time- they waived my fee).

LSAT in december- 157
GPA- 3.07

I was born here in the United States, but my parents are from Pakistan. So I put that I'm Asian American- even though I was afraid that was going to put me at a disadvantage.

I wrote a personal statement on my heritage and experiences I had in Pakistan- comparing the rule of law there to the rule of law here.

I know this post is all over the place- but do you think I have a reasonable chance at some of these schools?

Thanks in advance

[broach911]

I think you have good shot at Hofstra, American PT, and Temple. It looks like you applied well in your range. Houston seems like a stretch but your ethnicity is interesting and might not be common in that area, so you might luck out.

Now if someone can tell me my chances at GULC (FT and PT), GW (FT and PT), and Columbia FT as well if possible.

LSAT: 161
GPA: 3.5
Hispanic (Cuban/Venezuelan)
Fluent in Spanish and Mandarin
FT job 1+ years
FT caretaker for a family member
Double major (I know it doesn't really matter but I still put it in the resume)
Periodic Volunteer
Parents never went to college (heard that helps and hurts)
from Florida

[capitalacq]

.

[ama25]

Electrical Engineering 3.5 + MS deg in Electrical, 171

Odds at NYU?

[vasiok]

Electrical Engineering 3.5 + MS deg in Electrical, 171

Odds at NYU?

Probably out. LSAT too low, but if you have good softs or URM, then chances go up.

[dresden doll]

Electrical Engineering 3.5 + MS deg in Electrical, 171

Odds at NYU?

Probably out. LSAT too low, but if you have good softs or URM, then chances go up.

Incorrect. 171 is NYU's median, so it can be hardly considered 'too low.' GPA is decent, particularly considering it comes from EE, a hard and rigorous major.

Bear in mind also that NYU is a large school with lots of seats to fill, which definitely helps.

I'd say probably in, particularly if you submitted your app earlier in the season.

[JJim1919]

Electrical Engineering 3.5 + MS deg in Electrical, 171

Odds at NYU?

Probably out. LSAT too low, but if you have good softs or URM, then chances go up.

Incorrect. 171 is NYU's median, so it can be hardly considered 'too low.' GPA is decent, particularly considering it comes from EE, a hard and rigorous major.

Bear in mind also that NYU is a large school with lots of seats to fill, which definitely helps.

I'd say probably in, particularly if you submitted your app earlier in the season.

The LSAT is fine. The GPA is what might hurt you. You're very borderline. Probably like 70/30 out, but you never know. Good luck!

[cakewalker]

Electrical Engineering 3.5 + MS deg in Electrical, 171

Odds at NYU?

If NYU's your top pick, this situation seems like one where ED would be useful.

[dresden doll]

Electrical Engineering 3.5 + MS deg in Electrical, 171

Odds at NYU?

Probably out. LSAT too low, but if you have good softs or URM, then chances go up.

Incorrect. 171 is NYU's median, so it can be hardly considered 'too low.' GPA is decent, particularly considering it comes from EE, a hard and rigorous major.

Bear in mind also that NYU is a large school with lots of seats to fill, which definitely helps.

I'd say probably in, particularly if you submitted your app earlier in the season.

The LSAT is fine. The GPA is what might hurt you. You're very borderline. Probably like 70/30 out, but you never know. Good luck!

I'm a little surprised at some of the negative assessments. 3.5 isn't a lackluster GPA given that EE major. My SO majored in EE and it was tough as hell. Curve is brutal and the field is notorious for being one of the most difficult in the profession. Pulling a 3.5 in History might not look all that impressive, but a 3.5 in EE is damn good. I am pretty sure adcomms take this into account, despite the pervasive belief that a GPA is a GPA no matter how it was earned.

Anyhow, someone was recently accepted with a 171 and 3.6 (not sure what their major/UG was). Sift through LSN; it really is the case that plenty of applicants with those exact same numbers get accepted every year.

ED might be useful. That said, I still think odds are in this person's favor regardless.

[frotteur]

　　 What language is thine, O sea?
　　The language of eternal question.
　　What language is thy answer, O sky?
　　The language of eternal silence.

Banned in 3...2...

[glucose101]

Middlebury, English major, 3.3, prob 170, Mexican-American

where can I get in ?

[sentinal5656]

Middlebury, English major, 3.3, prob 170, Mexican-American

where can I get in ?

a lot of places. apply to all T14

[UTL_plz]

What are my chances for the University of Texas Law School? I will be applying ED for the '10 fall semester

GPA: 2.98
LSAT: 170

Texas resident, UT Graduate, 2 years WE.
Also, I plan on writing an addendum to explain my poor gpa. poor decisions in fresh/soph year. grades steadily rose after that, much stronger gpa in my major.

Caucasian

Also, I have about 6 months to work on the softs. Will doing so improve my chances any significant amount?

Thanks for the help!

[40ina]

LSAT: 163, am retaking again in June and am hoping to improve
GPA: 3.98 from a small private college
Major: English
Did my first two years of undergrad in Russia -- that's where I am from. Grew up in Siberia.
Have been out working as a paralegal in New York for the last three years, first with a boutique white-collar litigation firm, and now with a major arts institution. I think I have some really great experiences that I can mention in my PS, especially from my current job and my research back in Russia.

Would like to study art law and international law (possibly with connection to Russia).

So what are my odds to get into T-14?

Thanks!

[capitalacq]

I'd say "none" if you don't get a higher LSAT on your retake.

[glucose101]

doesn't my 3.3 seem low for top schools, even as a URM?

[Rinsho]

Planning to apply to the university of pennsylvania law school since I'm considering corporate/securities law or intellectual property law and this school seems relatively strong in both (though suggestions are always welcome).

GPA: 3.6 (Computer Science)
LSAT: 178

I don't have many extra-curricular activities. Member of the Engineering group at my college, though I quit after a year because they don't really do anything except eat pizza. I've worked throughout college as a private-contract programmer, though I question whether some of the companies I've worked for would like to admit that they hired a private programmer for sensitive programs.

Any replies are greatly appreciated, thanks for your time.

(EDIT: Planning to get a J.D./M.B.A if that makes a difference.)

[gk101]

Planning to apply to the University of Pennsylvania Law school since I'm considering corporate/securities law or intellectual property law and this school seems relatively strong in both (though suggestions are always welcome).

GPA: 3.6 (Computer Science)
LSAT: 178

I don't have many extra-curricular activities. Member of the Engineering group at my college, though I quit after a year because they don't really do anything except eat pizza. I've worked throughout college as a private-contract programmer, though I question whether some of the companies I've worked for would like to admit that they hired a private programmer for sensitive programs.

Any replies are greatly appreciated, thanks for your time.

you should be easily in at Penn and probably at CCN too

[frotteur]

Planning to apply to the University of Pennsylvania Law school since I'm considering corporate/securities law or intellectual property law and this school seems relatively strong in both (though suggestions are always welcome).

GPA: 3.6 (Computer Science)
LSAT: 178

I don't have many extra-curricular activities. Member of the Engineering group at my college, though I quit after a year because they don't really do anything except eat pizza. I've worked throughout college as a private-contract programmer, though I question whether some of the companies I've worked for would like to admit that they hired a private programmer for sensitive programs.

Any replies are greatly appreciated, thanks for your time.

you should be easily in at Penn and probably at CCN too

+1

[Rinsho]

Thanks for the quick response, that's good to know. Any other schools strong in Corporate/Securities and Intellectual Property Law that I might want to look at? Statistics only tell so much.

[capitalacq]

Planning to apply to the University of Pennsylvania Law school since I'm considering corporate/securities law or intellectual property law and this school seems relatively strong in both (though suggestions are always welcome).

GPA: 3.6 (Computer Science)
LSAT: 178

I don't have many extra-curricular activities. Member of the Engineering group at my college, though I quit after a year because they don't really do anything except eat pizza. I've worked throughout college as a private-contract programmer, though I question whether some of the companies I've worked for would like to admit that they hired a private programmer for sensitive programs.

Any replies are greatly appreciated, thanks for your time.

(EDIT: Planning to get a J.D./M.B.A if that makes a difference.)

While I'd agree that you have a great chance at Penn, I don't think you have much of a shot of getting into their Wharton MBA program. However, I'm pretty sure that they offer a "Wharton certificate" program that you'd probably get into.

[Rinsho]

Well, I can see how passing the GMAT could be a hurdle considering the lack of business background, but is there some other overwhelming cause? I realize a 3.6 isn't exactly cream of the crop, but I have a quirk where if I'm not interested I can't force it, which kinda killed me in the required History credits (which were pretty much ALL of my Bs). I think law school will more accurately reflect what I can do when I'm really interested in a subject.

[lulumae]

doesn't my 3.3 seem low for top schools, even as a URM?

If you write a great PS, have a strong application, and have decent recommendations, I think you could probably get in just about anywhere save for the holy trinity. Even they might be in play if you had a strong major. My advice is go for it. I have seen URMs with MUCH lower scores get in to multiple T14's with money.

[InnoSource]

Hi everyone,

I graduated a year ago with a 2.5 GPA from a top 40 school. I know my chances are slim to none to get into a decent school unless I pull off a killer LSAT score. I havent taken the LSATs yet, but ideally, I would like to go to SMU. There, I think I may stand a chance and still enjoy a well-rounded education and graduate with some job prospects.

Can anybody give me a range that i have to hit to expect to be considered a competitive candidate at SMU?

Also, if I do a post-bacc to boost up my gpa, will this help me if I get good grades? Thank you for your help. I really do love and enjoy this forum - everyone is always so supportive but honest.

[TTH]

I graduated a year ago with a 2.5 GPA from a top 40 school. I know my chances are slim to none to get into a decent school unless I pull off a killer LSAT score. I havent taken the LSATs yet, but ideally, I would like to go to SMU. There, I think I may stand a chance and still enjoy a well-rounded education and graduate with some job prospects.

Can anybody give me a range that i have to hit to expect to be considered a competitive candidate at SMU?

I don't know if you've checked LSN yet, but the 25-75 GPA for SMU is 3.23-3.8. For LSAT, it's 154-163. With your GPA, I imagine you'd want to target for at least at 163. Definitely possible if you study. Good luck!