Top Law Schools

I have a PhD in a hard science (2006) and, for a variety of reasons, would like to switch careers to become a civil rights attorney. I'm particularly interested in attending a T14.

Positives:
* PhD w/ 3.9 GGPA
* Potentially high LSAT. I took the LSAT in 2001 for fun (read: without prep or preview) and scored a 172. I am planning to take the exam in October. With prep, I expect to score at least as high.

Negatives:
* UGPA around 3.2

According to the ls predictor, Cornell is my best shot, but I'm curious to know if any of the other schools would possibly consider my post BA accomplishments.

Thanks.

I was in a somewhat similar situation.
Based on my experience your LSAT will determine where you get in. Since your undergrad was a long time ago, they probably won't weigh it very heavily.
If you break 170 you should be good for at least some T14

UVA tends to be pretty friendly when it comes to high-LSAT/low-GPA splitters, I think.

mistea wrote:I have a PhD in a hard science (2006) and, for a variety of reasons, would like to switch careers to become a civil rights attorney. I'm particularly interested in attending a T14.

Positives:
* PhD w/ 3.9 GGPA
* Potentially high LSAT. I took the LSAT in 2001 for fun (read: without prep or preview) and scored a 172. I am planning to take the exam in October. With prep, I expect to score at least as high.

Negatives:
* UGPA around 3.2

According to the ls predictor, Cornell is my best shot, but I'm curious to know if any of the other schools would possibly consider my post BA accomplishments.

Thanks.

LS predictor doesn't work that well for splitters (I think they made some changes, but outliers are outliers). If you get above 172 apply everywhere. Yale may even be on the table if you score 178+.

Good luck.

Northwestern.

This is of course anecdotal, but take it for what it's worth. I also have a high LSAT, low UGPA, and an advanced degree (180/2.95, MBA 2009 w/3.5 GGPA). I made the choice to pursue law school very late in the current cycle. As a result, I took the LSAT in February and didn't get my score until 2/27. I sent my app to UVA that day, and faxed in the ED paperwork late in the afternoon on 3/1. Before noon on 3/2, I received an phone call from Admissions informing me of my acceptance.

Unitas wrote:Yale may even be on the table if you score 178+.

I disagree; Yale's lowest GPA including all URMs is consistently about a 3.5.

Conventional wisdom would say NW if you score well. UVA is also a good bet.

Good luck on the LSAT and with your career choice. I assumed you were going for patent law at first. Interesting decision.

im_blue wrote:

Unitas wrote:Yale may even be on the table if you score 178+.

I disagree; Yale's lowest GPA including all URMs is consistently about a 3.5.

http://www.law.yale.edu/admissions/profile.htm

3.35 was lowest for 2012.. They'll take whoever they want. OP has a chance, albeit small, to get in with a compelling story.

1. Is your Ph.D. from a prestigious looking school?

2. Do you have impressive publications/inventions/fellowships/professional accomplishments?

The answers to those two questions will make a world of difference when it comes to trying for admission to H/Y/S and other schools at the top.

..