Top Law Schools

Well, the subject line says it all. I go to Amherst College. I have a 3.72 and a 170 LSAT. I am double majoring in Economics ans Psychology and I will be writing an Honors thesis next year.

I am in state in Texas and I am wondering, would it be dumb to go to a lower top14 for more money? Also, does applying Early action help?

Basically, I am looking at these schools.
What do you think I have a shot at? Money at?

Thanks.

Stanford
Columbia
Chicago
Duke
UC Berkley
Georgetown
UVA
Cornell
Michigan
Texas
Vandy
USC
UCLA

I doubt you will get into anything but a lower T-14, since most people with a 170 LSAT don't get into the top 6 or so schools. So its really not a matter of "Top 6 or lower T14 with money?". Your question should most likely be, mid to lower T-14, or T25 with very big money. Anything from Duke down, I think you have a real good shot at, perhaps with the exception of Berkeley.

LordJeff wrote:Well, the subject line says it all. I go to Amherst College. I have a 3.72 and a 170 LSAT. I am double majoring in Economics ans Psychology and I will be writing an Honors thesis next year.

I am in state in Texas and I am wondering, would it be dumb to go to a lower top14 for more money? Also, does applying Early action help?

Basically, I am looking at these schools.
What do you think I have a shot at? Money at?

Thanks.

[strike]Stanford[/strike]
[strike]Columbia[/strike]
[strike]Chicago[/strike]
Duke
UC Berkley
Georgetown
UVA
Cornell
Michigan
Texas
Vandy
USC
UCLA

In bold, out strike, rest is up in the air/WL.

I think you have a decent shot at Stanford depending on how impressive your LORs and Personal Statement turn out. I know high 160s that got into Stanford (albeit with a slightly higher GPA, so it's a wash).

Subtle Penn troll?

dakatz wrote:I doubt you will get into anything but a lower T-14, since most people with a 170 LSAT don't get into the top 6 or so schools. So its really not a matter of "Top 6 or lower T14 with money?". Your question should most likely be, mid to lower T-14, or T25 with very big money. Anything from Duke down, I think you have a real good shot at, perhaps with the exception of Berkeley.

I have a 170 and got into all of HYS, etc. It can be done...I wouldn't cross them off your list just yet!

edit: Since you have a year left of school, try to increase that GPA a bit. It will definitely boost your chances at a T10 school.

(My Predictions.. keep in mind I'm just a 0L)

Stanford: Reject
Columbia: Reject
Chicago: Waitlist
Duke: Accept
UC Berkley: Waitlist
Georgetown: Accept
UVA: Waitlist
Cornell: Accept with $
Michigan: Accept
Texas: Accept with $
Vandy: Accept
USC: Accept with $
UCLA: Accept

First of all, let me just say go Lord Jeffs. Best of luck with your cycle from a fellow alumni of the fairest college. I agree with the poster above in thinking that Michigan is likely you're best bet out of the top 10, although Penn is also a possibility. (any particular reason why you don't list Penn?)

My guesses:

Stanford: Out (GPA is low)
Columbia: Out/WL (LSAT is low)
Chicago: Out/WL (LSAT is low)
Duke: Accept
UC Berkley: Out (GPA is low)
Georgetown: In
UVA: In/WL
Cornell: In
Michigan: In
Texas: In, maybe with some $
Vandy In, maybe with some $
USC: In, maybe with some $
UCLA: In

If you can raise your LSAT (not sure if this is feasible/an option), you might stand a better shot at Chicago and Columbia.

As far as your other questions, EA at Texas helps slightly, but there's virtually no downside to doing it so you should. If you want to practice in Texas, you should take Texas over lower T14s. If you want to practice elsewhere it's a less compelling option.

I applied in October with a 3.7/170, here's what I got:

Columbia - W/L
Chicago - W/L
Duke - In
Georgetown - In
UVA - W/L
Cornell - In ($$)

I sent applications to 12 schools in total, and basically only got into the ones that were listed as "strong consider" and "admit" on Law School Predictor. Certainly not complaining, they're called "reach" schools for a reason, I guess. Good luck!

In: Duke, Georgetown, Cornell, Michigan, Texas, Vandy, USC, UCLA
Maybe: Berkeley, UVA
Out: Stanford (low GPA), Columbia (low LSAT), Chicago (below both medians)

Your personal statement may be the biggest determining factor. As an Eph, I can honestly say that being at a high caliber liberal arts school means some schools you'll apply to may add to your GPA. Best of luck the rest of your undergrad career...senior year is likely to be the best one (both in experience and GPA, if you dedicate yourself).

dakatz wrote:I doubt you will get into anything but a lower T-14, since most people with a 170 LSAT don't get into the top 6 or so schools. So its really not a matter of "Top 6 or lower T14 with money?". Your question should most likely be, mid to lower T-14, or T25 with very big money. Anything from Duke down, I think you have a real good shot at, perhaps with the exception of Berkeley.

Why would you word it like that? Subtle Berkeley trolling!

hoopsguy6 wrote:

dakatz wrote:I doubt you will get into anything but a lower T-14, since most people with a 170 LSAT don't get into the top 6 or so schools. So its really not a matter of "Top 6 or lower T14 with money?". Your question should most likely be, mid to lower T-14, or T25 with very big money. Anything from Duke down, I think you have a real good shot at, perhaps with the exception of Berkeley.

Why would you word it like that? Subtle Berkeley trolling!

Because Berkeley is a blatant GPA whore (median 3.83, 25th 3.69).

im_blue wrote:

hoopsguy6 wrote:

dakatz wrote:I doubt you will get into anything but a lower T-14, since most people with a 170 LSAT don't get into the top 6 or so schools. So its really not a matter of "Top 6 or lower T14 with money?". Your question should most likely be, mid to lower T-14, or T25 with very big money. Anything from Duke down, I think you have a real good shot at, perhaps with the exception of Berkeley.

Why would you word it like that? Subtle Berkeley trolling!

Because Berkeley is a blatant GPA whore (median 3.83, 25th 3.69).

You missed the point.

Agree with Strangelove. Also, undergrad doesn't matter for admissions. THough a rigorous education at Amherst might help once you're IN law school.

Dr. Strangelove wrote:(My Predictions.. keep in mind I'm just a 0L)

Stanford: Reject
Columbia: Reject
Chicago: Waitlist
Duke: Accept
UC Berkley: Waitlist
Georgetown: Accept
UVA: Waitlist
Cornell: Accept with $
Michigan: Accept
Texas: Accept with $
Vandy: Accept
USC: Accept with $
UCLA: Accept