Top Law Schools

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Honestly, you'll get into at least one of these schools.

But I know of a few people (who aren't on TLS) who've been admitted into top 40 & 50 schools with similar/lower numbers.

My advice: cast a wide net in your application process. Why? Reasons are:

A.) URM cycles are notorious for being unpredictable. Use to that for your advantage...
B.) you never know where you'll be admitted, despite how people/TLS may rate your chances.

Simply put: Apply to several reaches/dream schools, T1s and T2s along with your list.

Also, dedicate plenty of time to your Personal Statement and Diversity Statement. And any good/excellent Letters of Recommendation that you can get would be beneficial.

shoot for the moon...even if you miss, you're still among stars.

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If you have even the slightest chance of retaking and getting a 160+, it would do wonders for your cycle. Good luck!

cartercl wrote:Is it best that I wait until the next Fall cycle (2011) before applying to reach schools. Or should I apply now, get into the best school possible (do as well as I possibly can), and try to transfer? I've heard that a solid 1st year can really help with the transfer process. I mean, wouldn't doing well at a T2 provide me with a greater chance for acceptance into a strong T1 (versus applying now)? The ideal situation for me would be graduating from law school with at least a chance of coming back to my home state (LA) to practice, and I want to go somewhere that would give me that opportunity (even if it's the slightest). However, I want the best legal education possible.

Wait and apply in 2011. Do not ever go to a law school you do not intend on graduating from. You cannot reasonably predict your class rank as a 0L.

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While I do not know too much about the other schools, I think you have a very strong chance at McGeorge.
You should be able to use the past arrests to make for a possibly very moving and awesome personal statement. And it seems like you were very involved. I wish you the best of luck!

cartercl wrote:Is it best that I wait until the next Fall cycle (2011) before applying to reach schools. Or should I apply now, get into the best school possible (do as well as I possibly can), and try to transfer? I've heard that a solid 1st year can really help with the transfer process. I mean, wouldn't doing well at a T2 provide me with a greater chance for acceptance into a strong T1 (versus applying now)? The ideal situation for me would be graduating from law school with at least a chance of coming back to my home state (LA) to practice, and I want to go somewhere that would give me that opportunity (even if it's the slightest). However, I want the best legal education possible.

Read this before you consider transferring. http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =2&t=77628