Upward trend, Non-Trad. Forum

[badpixie]

I've got a 170+ LSAT and ~3.0 Cum. GPA. My cum GPA is the result of a disasterous first 3 semesters 25 years ago (seriously - the mid 80's). My GPA at my degree-granting school was 3.9, including a 4.0 in my last 4 semesters, following 12 years of work experience and changing my major. I've been out of school now for 10 years, with strong work experience.

Given the upward trend in my GPA, what are my chances at:

Columbia
Fordham
Cardozo
Brooklyn
Seton Hall
Rutgers-Newark

Thanks!

[Ken]

You really need to apply to Northwestern as they would love to have you. Northwestern favors LSAT over GPA and also wants those with work experience. I am quite confident that you would get into Northwestern.

Columbia, which is a bit more by the numbers likely will not be as forgiving but you should apply anyway. You also need to have more Top 11-20 law schools to apply to (Cornell will likely take you), your LSAT will warrant a second look and it sounds like your overall application package is strong.

If you are feeling lucky, no harm in sending in applications to Penn and Chicago. While the likely result is that you will be rejected or waitlisted, you do have a chance and it is worth applying.

I anticipate you will get into everywhere you mentioned but Columbia, but aim higher!

[Veyron]

+1 NU FTW

[jkh]

Seems like OP wants to stay in NY

[Veyron]

^ Than op should find another line of work.

[badpixie]

Thank Ken. I really appreciate the advice. Unfortunately, I am limited geographically, because my partner works in NYC, so I am basically looking at the NYC/northern NJ schools.

[Zapatero]

Why not NYU? If you apply early in the cycle, you have a pretty good shot.

[Veyron]

If you absolutely can't leave NYC than throw a hail-mary to NYU (although your LSAT score would need to be 177 to equal their median if we normalize your academic composite to adjust for GPA). If you get a full ride at Fordham it might make sense, otherwise, see if you can't wait till the econ improves.

[BigA]

you really don't know what your chances are at Rutgers, etc? Have you been to lawschoolpredictor yet? I think you'll be pleasantly surprised

[Zapatero]

If you absolutely can't leave NYC than throw a hail-mary to NYU (although your LSAT score would need to be 177 to equal their median if we normalize your academic composite to adjust for GPA). If you get a full ride at Fordham it might make sense, otherwise, see if you can't wait till the econ improves.

He's also 10+ years out of school; GPA is far less important. I wouldn't call it a Hail Mary.

[Veyron]

^ US Numbers are US news numbers. NYU is extremely numbers driven even for a law school.

[stratocophic]

^ US Numbers are US news numbers. NYU is extremely numbers driven even for a law school.

I'd ED to NYU for the best shot at a top school in NYC. NYU is much, much more splitter receptive than Columbia, maybe OP would get lucky. Still not even close to a guarantee though, that GPA hurts. I can empathize, my numbers aren't too far off.

[mbw]

I think what may actually hurt is not the GPA, but your age -- schools are generally pretty receptive to 30-somethings, but once you hit 40, they get a bit funny. Or, at least that was my experience. It would be a shame to waste such a pretty lsat on a non-T14 school, but if you have to stay in NYC, then definitely ED to NYU and expect money (edited, from lower ranked NYC schools.) If you can consider a two-hour weekend commute doable, then I think you might be good at Penn.

Numbers are important, but most schools are more interested in numbers because they predict success - your overall GPA is not indicative as is your more recent 3.88. If you can convince schools that you have a good 20-30 years left of lawyering, then you will probably be able to break into to a top school.

[Oban]

Northwestern would accept you instantly, as would UVA if you applied early/ED

Columbia is such a numbers whore they'd still reject you, even with your seemingly amazing background, though you should still try. Maybe ED to NYU next cycle?

Otherwise you are in at any other school in NYC

[beef wellington]

Numbers are important, but most schools are more interested in numbers because they predict success - your overall GPA is not indicative as is your more recent 3.88.

This was my hope before I sent my apps out, but my results have yet to deviate from what my LSDAS GPA of 3.2 would have predicted.

I have a similar story to OP but not as extreme. I had two horrible (<2.0) semesters ten years ago, but my degree-granting GPA is 3.8, LSAT is 171. I definitely don't have the WE of OP, or obviously the LSAT. Still, If I crack the T14, it'll be off a waitlist, whereas if schools were really interested in my 3.8 it would be a different story.

FWIW I agree that OP should definitely ED NYU.

[chadwick218]

+1 on NU. I have a few friends with similar stats / experiences that received b/w $15-$20K / year. You'd be a great fit here!

[ndirish2010]

Why does everyone keep suggesting Northwestern when the OP has stated that he does not want to leave NYC.....