2.79 UGPA and a MBA with a 3.8 GPA Forum

[JuniJrr]

I did my undergrad in a small college and MBA at a HBCU in NC, I just graduated with a MBA in International Business, my undergrad was in Accounting and Business Management. I am currently working for the same company since my Jr year in undergrad and have received numerous promotions. As of now I have 4 years of professional work experience. I have a keen interest in corporate and/or international law, especially with schools that have a key presence in the NYC and DC area. Some of the schools I have been looking at are UNC, ASU, Uni of Ariz, and American. I wanted to know what you guys think my chances are....

[Patriot1208]

I did my undergrad in a small college and MBA at a HBCU in NC, I just graduated with a MBA in International Business, my undergrad was in Accounting and Business Management. I am currently working for the same company since my Jr year in undergrad and have received numerous promotions. As of now I have 4 years of professional work experience. I have a keen interest in corporate and/or international law, especially with schools that have a key presence in the NYC and DC area. Some of the schools I have been looking at are UNC, ASU, Uni of Ariz, and American. I wanted to know what you guys think my chances are....

completely irrelevant until you get a LSAT score

[JuniJrr]

What LSAT range would be ideal to get in?

[sumus romani]

None of the schools will get you a job in NYC or DC. American is the best of the bunch for your goals, but it is outrageously expensive and you'll have bad job prospects in DC even from American. Why are you interested in leaving your paying job in this economy for huge debt and bad job prospects?

[merichard87]

What LSAT range would be ideal to get in?

The 25th to 75th %tile range of the school you want to attend.

[JuniJrr]

None of the schools will get you a job in NYC or DC. American is the best of the bunch for your goals, but it is outrageously expensive and you'll have bad job prospects in DC even from American. Why are you interested in leaving your paying job in this economy for huge debt and bad job prospects?

the future is very uncertain with everyone getting MBAs, and MBAs being blamed for the recession. I believe this will open alot of doors for me already having an MBA and attaining a JD, it will make me more of a competitive candidate and more versatile. I understand it is a serious investment, but I believe it will pay off in the long run.

[sumus romani]

What LSAT range would be ideal to get in?

The 25th to 75th %tile range of the school you want to attend.

What in the hell are you talking about? The OP has an undergrad GPA of 2.79. She or he is going to need a hell of an LSAT to get into any of those programs. The OP needs at least a 165 to be really competitive for admissions at American.

[sumus romani]

None of the schools will get you a job in NYC or DC. American is the best of the bunch for your goals, but it is outrageously expensive and you'll have bad job prospects in DC even from American. Why are you interested in leaving your paying job in this economy for huge debt and bad job prospects?

the future is very uncertain with everyone getting MBAs, and MBAs being blamed for the recession. I believe this will open alot of doors for me already having an MBA and attaining a JD, it will make me more of a competitive candidate and more versatile. I understand it is a serious investment, but I believe it will pay off in the long run.

That's fine, I'm not here to fight with you. But you should look into how the schools place in NYC and DC. I just don't see the Arizona schools as placing anyone in those areas (certainly not more than, say, the top 2%). UNC is probably very similar.

[JuniJrr]

None of the schools will get you a job in NYC or DC. American is the best of the bunch for your goals, but it is outrageously expensive and you'll have bad job prospects in DC even from American. Why are you interested in leaving your paying job in this economy for huge debt and bad job prospects?

the future is very uncertain with everyone getting MBAs, and MBAs being blamed for the recession. I believe this will open alot of doors for me already having an MBA and attaining a JD, it will make me more of a competitive candidate and more versatile. I understand it is a serious investment, but I believe it will pay off in the long run.

That's fine, I'm not here to fight with you. But you should look into how the schools place in NYC and DC. I just don't see the Arizona schools as placing anyone in those areas (certainly not more than, say, the top 2%). UNC is probably very similar.

I understand ASU and U of Ariz have low propects in those areas, the reason why they're on that list is because I will most likely get shipped out there by my company and those are safe schools for me in that area, obviously open doors for me on the west coast.

[Patriot1208]

Get on these schools websites, look at what their 75th percentile LSAT is, and aim for higher than that since your GPA is so bad. Your MBA gpa will not matter.

[merichard87]

What LSAT range would be ideal to get in?

The 25th to 75th %tile range of the school you want to attend.

What in the hell are you talking about? The OP has an undergrad GPA of 2.79. She or he is going to need a hell of an LSAT to get into any of those programs. The OP needs at least a 165 to be really competitive for admissions at American.[/quote

dude calm down. op wants to go into international law. lsat is the least of his worries.

[JuniJrr]

Ok so what about specifically UNC specifically?

[kalvano]

Ok so what about specifically UNC specifically?

Very high. UNC seems to draw a pretty hard line at 3.0. If you aren't a NC resident, it will be virtually impossible.

[JuniJrr]

Ok so what about specifically UNC specifically?

Very high. UNC seems to draw a pretty hard line at 3.0. If you aren't a NC resident, it will be virtually impossible.

I am, but you don't think they will factor in my MBA at all?

[09042014]

Are you black?

[JuniJrr]

Are you black?

Yes, does that help, I have heard of their diversity initiative.

[09042014]

Are you black?

Yes, does that help, I have heard of their diversity initiative.

Yes it does, fairly significantly.

[JuniJrr]

Are you black?

Yes, does that help, I have heard of their diversity initiative.

Yes it does, fairly significantly.

What other criteria may weight significant points on their decision besides the LSAT, GPA and Work experience? (Obviously personal statements and letters of recommendation) but what is there anything else?

[beachbum]

Ok so what about specifically UNC specifically?

Are you an NC resident? (UNC reserves a certain percentage of their class for NC residents). If the answer is no, then you need to knock the LSAT out of the park and/or blackmail the dean to have any shot of acceptance. And UNC tends to value a higher GPA, so your chances are not lookin too good.

If you're up for working in NC, you might try Wake (assuming you nail the LSAT).

But realistically, there aren't many schools in your expected range that give you a shot at employment in the areas you want. I'd say put everything you've got into acing the LSAT, then expand your horizons in terms of choosing a law school. If you can't do that, then law school might not be for you.

Edit: Being a URM helps a lot. Your prospects might not look as bleak as previously imagined, assuming you run train on the LSAT. Your MBA and other softs won't add too much to your application, so get to work studying for that test.

[northwood]

unfortunately law schools dont look at graduate level gpas ( mine is a 3.96) They only look at your ug gpa. Your graduate level work is a "soft", and a small one at that. with a 2.79 you need to do very well on the LSAT. Stop worrying about where to go and focus your attention on prepping for the exam. After you get your score, ( or consistently score on prep tests) you should start looking at possibilities. Lawschoolpredictor is a decent site to help you figure out your chances of acceptance.

[kalvano]

you don't think they will factor in my MBA at all?

No. It won't make a difference anywhere. Forget you even have it.

[JuniJrr]

Ok so what about specifically UNC specifically?

Are you an NC resident? (UNC reserves a certain percentage of their class for NC residents). If the answer is no, then you need to knock the LSAT out of the park and/or blackmail the dean to have any shot of acceptance. And UNC tends to value a higher GPA, so your chances are not lookin too good.

If you're up for working in NC, you might try Wake (assuming you nail the LSAT).

But realistically, there aren't many schools in your expected range that give you a shot at employment in the areas you want. I'd say put everything you've got into acing the LSAT, then expand your horizons in terms of choosing a law school. If you can't do that, then law school might not be for you.

Yes I am a NC resident

[09042014]

Are you black?

Yes, does that help, I have heard of their diversity initiative.

Yes it does, fairly significantly.

What other criteria may weight significant points on their decision besides the LSAT, GPA and Work experience? (Obviously personal statements and letters of recommendation) but what is there anything else?

LSAT> GPA >>>>>>>>>>>Work

What you need to do is go and study your ass off. Your poor GPA counts you out of some of the top schools, and makes it harder at other schools.

[kalvano]

Are you black?

Yes, does that help, I have heard of their diversity initiative.

Yes it does, fairly significantly.

Wait, you're black? Forget everything said in this thread.

What other criteria may weight significant points on their decision besides the LSAT, GPA and Work experience? (Obviously personal statements and letters of recommendation) but what is there anything else?

Nothing. You've touched on everything they care about.

LSAT.
GPA.
URM status, if any.

That's really about it. Nothing holistic or lofty about it.

[JuniJrr]

Are you black?

Yes, does that help, I have heard of their diversity initiative.

Yes it does, fairly significantly.

Wait, you're black? Forget everything said in this thread.


Nothing. You've touched on everything they care about.

LSAT.
GPA.
URM status, if any.

That's really about it. Nothing holistic or lofty about it.

Wait you gotta school me on this URM stuff?