157/3.4; suggestions for cycle? Forum

[OmbreGracieuse]

So... I got a 157 on the LSATs. My LSDAS GPA is a 3.4. I have a few outside things going on though ("softs"?) that I think would/should be taken into consideration.

I'm a mother (she is 15 months; I had her literally during my junior year; about one week before midterms during the spring semester).

I fell violently ill my senior year. I started feeling sick around Christmas, and was hospitalized in March (right before midterms). I was diagnosed with Stage IV endometriosis, with the possibility of cancer cells. I missed enough class my GPA dropped from a 3.5 to a 3.4.

I took the LSATs on June 7, and had extensive surgery for the endometriosis on June 11. They removed almost 9 pounds of mass from my abdomen. The surgery had long since been scheduled, and I truly feel I would have done better had I not been ill. I am willing and able to furnish medical records to any of the schools that request it to verify this.

I worked, on average, 30 hours a week on top of being a full time student. I am the head of the household (my husband was laid off a year and a half ago). We are currently below the poverty limit.

While I am not looking for lectures for the cost of law school (it takes all walks of life to run the world), I want to know if any of these 'softs' might make the adcomm a little more lenient with my scores (mostly my LSAT). I'll be going through hormone therapy for the next 6-8 years, so I was definitely sick enough when I took it, it will warrant ongoing treatment.

Should I even bother applying in September, or should I retake it in October? I am confident I could do better in October, but am also concerned by the time I apply all of the 'chance' seats would have been given away (for splitters, ect) as well as scholarships that are available (for both academics as well as demonstrated financial need).

I've got some other good softs: I've worked at a Center for the Homeless for 3 years, I was class speaker for my 1st school, graduated with honors from my first UG school (I got an associate's degree before going for my bachelors somewhere else), began a club, co-started a local not-for-profit food and clothing pantry which has been in the news and is a success (a friend of mine and i created it), won an academic scholarship at my 2nd school, and won a president's award at my 1st school.

Any advice? What do you think my predictions are with a 157? If I retook? Would you retake?

I know HSY are out of the question (unless you think otherwise), I was interested at NYU but am not sure I've got high enough marks, am interested too in U Michigan Ann Arbor (I live in the area) and ASU (I have family there). Any other places you think I should try? That would offer decent money but be in a financially stable area? Any chance at T-20??

Thanks so much for reading this, and bothering to help quell my incessant raving!

[Tautology]

I doubt your situation will lead to any significant leniency when it comes to your numbers, and you need some very significant leniency to get into Michigan or NYU. I'd definitely retake if you think you can do better, I don't think there are large gains in applying in September rather than November.

[Grizz]

Retake and reapply; no chance at top 20 ish schools. Softs aren't gonna get you in. Applying in Nov. should be fine.

[OmbreGracieuse]

So, no T-14... any chance at ASU do you think?

[Grizz]

So, no T-14... any chance at ASU do you think?

Are you below both medians? If so, no.