Top Law Schools

.

pack_85 wrote:I have been using all the predictor sites and have a decent idea, but it is difficult to determine how things like WE and other factors affect the process. You guys seem to know what you're talking about...

2.8, biology major, vandy undergrad, graduated in 07. notoriously hard program (weak excuse), slacked off and got a 2.2 sophomore year. all other years are 3+. 3 years work experience in health care research, definitely want to do policy related to the field, published multiple times in huge scientific journals/gov't guidelines, etc. Will get amazing recs from two high-ups in the public health department of the top-20 university i am currently working for. the "deny's" seem to start at ut/vandy on the predictor website. does my alumni status help me at all? any chance at top 20 schools? emory, gwu, BU, WUSTL all have me as consider/weak consider. would any of these softs push me up a bit, or should i rethink my apps? was thinking all the schools i mentioned, shot in the dark at NU and UCLA. also interested in schools that offer interviews -- not trying to sound like a jerk, but i am much more impressive in person than on paper. much appreciated.

We're all special snowflakes. Realistically, if US News doesn't care about it, neither do schools. You might get a small boost from WE, but your best shot at getting into those schools is a retake.

bummer...i just really don't want to do that...

I have similar numbers to you and got into WUSTL with $$. Apply early.

If you can retake and get a 171 or higher, ED to NU.

i'm just having a hard time with the idea of retaking. that lsat still puts me above the 75th line on most of those schools. a 171 isn't higher than NU's 75th line. i mean apart from a higher score just being flat out better, is there some other nuanced benefit i am missing? 97th percentile vs 98th? not being naive. being stubborn.

pack_85 wrote:i'm just having a hard time with the idea of retaking. that lsat still puts me above the 75th line on most of those schools. a 171 isn't higher than NU's 75th line. i mean apart from a higher score just being flat out better, is there some other nuanced benefit i am missing? 97th percentile vs 98th? not being naive. being stubborn.

NU's median is 170. A 171 puts you above its median. Law Schools care first and foremost about LSAT/GPA. If you don't have one above median you don't really have much of a shot (unless you are a URM) because you don't offer anything to better their numbers. NU is notorious for taking sub-3.0 GPAs that ED, but only if you have an LSAT above median.

D-hops wrote:If you can retake and get a 171 or higher, ED to NU.

This is the correct advice. Even though you're right in pointing out that NU has higher LSAT standards than the others, they also are much more willing to compromise on GPA in lieu of work experience. You have got great experience behind you and letters to back it up.

And to refer to your 97 vs 98th percentile difference: you're right. It's stupid. It's a few questions. It's the difference in bubbling speed. But there's an enormous amount of LSAT takers each year, and when such small percentiles are so many people, it's really hard to justify being able to squeeze a bit in from a lower percentile when you have so MANY applicants who have demonstrated a better ability (so they claim). More importantly, USNEWS. Enough said. We can argue that all we want but until those rankings stop differentiating schools on such minuscule differences, LSAT scores will be very, very important.

A 171/2 vs 169 is nothing (3-4 questions). Frequently it comes down to whether or not you get an examination that fits you. Take a month or so off, and then gear up again for October. It might seem a bit tedious but you're talking about your ability to go to an awesome school vs a pretty good one, and I guess awesome is what you want (I'm sure you know it makes a huge difference in employment prospects).

D-hops wrote:

pack_85 wrote:i'm just having a hard time with the idea of retaking. that lsat still puts me above the 75th line on most of those schools. a 171 isn't higher than NU's 75th line. i mean apart from a higher score just being flat out better, is there some other nuanced benefit i am missing? 97th percentile vs 98th? not being naive. being stubborn.

NU's median is 170. A 171 puts you above its median. Law Schools care first and foremost about LSAT/GPA. If you don't have one above median you don't really have much of a shot (unless you are a URM) because you don't offer anything to better their numbers. NU is notorious for taking sub-3.0 GPAs that ED, but only if you have an LSAT above median.

ah yeah, that makes perfect sense. definitely not URM. i am in fact very well represented.

by that thinking then is it absolutely necessary to take this beast again? the cluster of schools i am really hoping for is the 18-30, and i am topping the median on most, if not all, of those off the top of my head.

mst wrote:

D-hops wrote:If you can retake and get a 171 or higher, ED to NU.

This is the correct advice. Even though you're right in pointing out that NU has higher LSAT standards than the others, they also are much more willing to compromise on GPA in lieu of work experience. You have got great experience behind you and letters to back it up.

And to refer to your 97 vs 98th percentile difference: you're right. It's stupid. It's a few questions. It's the difference in bubbling speed. But there's an enormous amount of LSAT takers each year, and when such small percentiles are so many people, it's really hard to justify being able to squeeze a bit in from a lower percentile when you have so MANY applicants who have demonstrated a better ability (so they claim). More importantly, USNEWS. Enough said. We can argue that all we want but until those rankings stop differentiating schools on such minuscule differences, LSAT scores will be very, very important.

A 171/2 vs 169 is nothing (3-4 questions). Frequently it comes down to whether or not you get an examination that fits you. Take a month or so off, and then gear up again for October. It might seem a bit tedious but you're talking about your ability to go to an awesome school vs a pretty good one, and I guess awesome is what you want (I'm sure you know it makes a huge difference in employment prospects).

saw this as i was posting. and i hate to say it but i know you're right. i took the june test, got 6 wrong on the first three scored and 7 (SEVEN) wrong on my last section. so yeah, i am a little frustrated. the only thing i am thinking about is job prospects here. what terrifies me is applying this cycle, not getting in anywhere i want to go, and having to wait another year.