Top Law Schools

I won't be applying until the fall, just want to start getting a feel for things.

I know that my GPA is low, my major was tough (computer science). In terms of softs, I did track/cross country through college, qualifying for nationals. I'm now 26, I've spent most of the last 3 years mainly overseas, teaching and studying languages. I've also worked as a paralegal, and in marketing/business development at a startup.

My question is which schools I should apply to, and also what level of school would be likely to give money. I hate the idea of graduating with massive debt.

Money may be tough, but I would think that you would have a strong shot for admission anywhere.

Blanket the top-14 + Vandy/UCLA. It's worth the application fees to see A) How you do for the t-6 and B) scholarship negotiations for the rest.

therandom9 wrote:I won't be applying until the fall, just want to start getting a feel for things.

I know that my GPA is low, my major was tough (computer science). In terms of softs, I did track/cross country through college, qualifying for nationals. I'm now 26, I've spent most of the last 3 years mainly overseas, teaching and studying languages. I've also worked as a paralegal, and in marketing/business development at a startup.

My question is which schools I should apply to, and also what level of school would be likely to give money. I hate the idea of graduating with massive debt.

If you don't have set preferences already, I think just apply to the top 14 and any other schools you are interested in applying. That LSAT score is obviously spectacular, and you could get money everywhere depending on your PS and Softs I think.

I thing that you will most likely end up attending CertaiN sChools.

TheBigMediocre wrote:Blanket the top-14 + Vandy/UCLA. It's worth the application fees to see A) How you do for the t-6 and B) scholarship negotiations for the rest.

FWIW, you'll probably get fee waivers from most schools simply based on your LSAT.

therandom9 wrote:I won't be applying until the fall, just want to start getting a feel for things.

I know that my GPA is low, my major was tough (computer science). In terms of softs, I did track/cross country through college, qualifying for nationals. I'm now 26, I've spent most of the last 3 years mainly overseas, teaching and studying languages. I've also worked as a paralegal, and in marketing/business development at a startup.

My question is which schools I should apply to, and also what level of school would be likely to give money. I hate the idea of graduating with massive debt.

CCN will be all over you.

Unfortunately, low GPA students generally draw less money than their counterparts with higher grades. MVP will probably waitlist you, and you won't see a ton of money from DCNG either. You're probably looking at LS at close to sticker, although you have a good chance of that sticker cost being at some great institutions.

You aren't getting HYS, and Berkeley.

You've got a good shot at CCN. No money

You've got a great shot at MVP; you you might get YP WL'd. So write Why X? statements for them. You might get some money.

DNCG - Probably in with some to no money.

Thanks guys, help me clarify a lot.

One other potential tough spot is recommendations. I wasn't close to my professors, so while I can get recs from people at the university such as coaches and language teachers as well as business associates/employers saying that I'm 1 in 100 etc., I don't know of any full professors at my school who can do that*. Is this an issue I should be handling, or will schools just be looking at numbers?

heyguys wrote:Money may be tough, but I would think that you would have a strong shot for admission anywhere.

+1

therandom9 wrote:Thanks guys, help me clarify a lot.

One other potential tough spot is recommendations. I wasn't close to my professors, so while I can get recs from people at the university such as coaches and language teachers as well as business associates/employers saying that I'm 1 in 100 etc., I don't know of any full professors at my school who can do that*. Is this an issue I should be handling, or will schools just be looking at numbers?

Get one decent recommendation from a professor, doesn't have to be a full professor, and then one or two from your other sources. As long as your recommendation is regular (i.e. says your a great candidate) it shouldn't matter too much... recommendations aren't a very large factor

If you had a higher GPA and a lower LSAT I'd like H. You're probably looking at chi or nyu though.

Nom Sawyer wrote: Get one decent recommendation from a professor, doesn't have to be a full professor, and then one or two from your other sources. As long as your recommendation is regular (i.e. says your a great candidate) it shouldn't matter too much... recommendations aren't a very large factor

Sounds good, I probably made that a bigger deal than it needs to be in my mind. I have some options that will work for that. Law school apps seem remarkably numbers-based and lightweight, kind of refreshing compared to UG and other grad programs.

badfish wrote:If you had a higher GPA and a lower LSAT I'd like H. You're probably looking at chi or nyu though.

Does H UG help my chances there? Although tbh I hate the idea of another 3 years in Cambridge...

FYI, I know somebody with basically your numbers and the same undergrad background who got money from CLS. Not saying it'll happen, but it's within the realm of possibility.

Agree HYS is pretty much out of the question. CCN should be your target-reaches, and I think you will definitely bag at least one of MVPB (well, not B).

therandom9 wrote:

badfish wrote:If you had a higher GPA and a lower LSAT I'd like H. You're probably looking at chi or nyu though.

Does H UG help my chances there? Although tbh I hate the idea of another 3 years in Cambridge...

H UG helps a lot but they just dont accept people with GPAs below 3.5 that aren't URM. The main H UG boost is usually in making up a lower LSAT.

For example if you were a 3.85, 171 from H UG you'd have a good chance at HLS.

therandom9 wrote:

badfish wrote:If you had a higher GPA and a lower LSAT I'd like H. You're probably looking at chi or nyu though.

Does H UG help my chances there? Although tbh I hate the idea of another 3 years in Cambridge...

probably.

therandom9 wrote: Does H UG help my chances there? Although tbh I hate the idea of another 3 years in Cambridge...

HLS simply does not take URMs with less than a 3.7 (and very few with less than a 3.8 ).