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Alright. 157 LSAT (first try) and 3.5 gpa. Would like to stay in Texas and work in Dallas area. These would be my choices listed in order.

SMU
Houston
OU
Tx Tech
Baylor
Tulane
LSU

Have some grad credit and 5 yr. professional work experience (ie. had "manager" in my job title). Non URM. Should I retake in September? (was testing right at 157 on all practice tests prior to the June 157).

I know SMU and Houston are a very long shot. Honestly, I would be happy with OU (not sure if my scores will get me in there either??), and might consider Tech simply because its where my undergrad is from.

Thoughts??

SMU - Out / Maybe in PT
Houston - Out
OU - Probably in
Tx Tech - In
Baylor - In
Tulane - Out
LSU - In


You should really re-take and try for a few extra points to get some money. Probably the best school on the list is SMU, and you'll need a 160-ish for admit to FT, a 163 / 164 for good money.

kalvano wrote:You should really re-take and try for a few extra points to get some money. Probably the best school on the list is SMU, and you'll need a 160-ish for admit to FT, a 163 / 164 for good money.

I think the best school on that list for OP is Tech 'cause it's the only one that might be reasonably priced with a 157. But a 3-point bump would probably make Baylor half cost, Tech free, and UH somewhat discounted.

ggocat wrote:

kalvano wrote:You should really re-take and try for a few extra points to get some money. Probably the best school on the list is SMU, and you'll need a 160-ish for admit to FT, a 163 / 164 for good money.

I think the best school on that list for OP is Tech 'cause it's the only one that might be reasonably priced with a 157. But a 3-point bump would probably make Baylor half cost, Tech free, and UH somewhat discounted.

The best overall school, not the best school he can get in to with a 157.

kalvano wrote:

ggocat wrote:

kalvano wrote:You should really re-take and try for a few extra points to get some money. Probably the best school on the list is SMU, and you'll need a 160-ish for admit to FT, a 163 / 164 for good money.

I think the best school on that list for OP is Tech 'cause it's the only one that might be reasonably priced with a 157. But a 3-point bump would probably make Baylor half cost, Tech free, and UH somewhat discounted.

The best overall school, not the best school he can get in to with a 157.

True. Still wouldn't pay full price over a significant discount at Tech, though. I agree a 6-7 point bump and significant discount at SMU would be ideal.

ggocat wrote: True. Still wouldn't pay full price over a significant discount at Tech, though. I agree a 6-7 point bump and significant discount at SMU would be ideal.

SMU is worth full price over Texas Tech.

kalvano wrote:

ggocat wrote: True. Still wouldn't pay full price over a significant discount at Tech, though. I agree a 6-7 point bump and significant discount at SMU would be ideal.

SMU is worth full price over Texas Tech.

+1

Tech is no good. For SMU to consider you, they will require either your lsat or gpa to be above their medians, 3.78 and 164 i think, for full-time at least.

mbusch22 wrote:For SMU to consider you, they will require either your lsat or gpa to be above their medians, 3.78 and 164 i think, for full-time at least.

You can get by with one or the other, too. My GPA was substantially lower but my LSAT was 164, and I got decent money.

kalvano wrote:

ggocat wrote: True. Still wouldn't pay full price over a significant discount at Tech, though. I agree a 6-7 point bump and significant discount at SMU would be ideal.

SMU is worth full price over Texas Tech.

Just said I wouldn't pay. Didn't mean to imply it's a black-white issue. No doubt it outshines Tech for employment prospects. But you'll find a lot of people who get in to SMU decide to go to cheaper options.

OU for sure. Their median LSAT is in the lower 150s.
Out a Baylor
Fair shot at SMU. Apply for daytime, as they don't have lower standards for the evening program.
In at LSU
Shot at Tulane.

mpasi wrote:Fair shot at SMU. Apply for daytime, as they don't have lower standards for the evening program.

What?

kalvano wrote:

mpasi wrote:Fair shot at SMU. Apply for daytime, as they don't have lower standards for the evening program.

What?

Someone said to apply at SMU p/t because it's easier to get in. SMU says otherwise. The SMU alum I interned for says the same thing. Unless I misunderstood. It's entirely possible, I'm posting on a Blackberry.

mpasi wrote:

kalvano wrote:

mpasi wrote:Fair shot at SMU. Apply for daytime, as they don't have lower standards for the evening program.

What?

Someone said to apply at SMU p/t because it's easier to get in. SMU says otherwise. The SMU alum I interned for says the same thing. Unless I misunderstood. It's entirely possible, I'm posting on a Blackberry.

It was me who suggested that. It's easier to get into SMU PT than FT.

The numbers are much more favorable for low LSAT students.

ggocat wrote:I think the best school on that list for OP is Tech 'cause it's the only one that might be reasonably priced with a 157. But a 3-point bump would probably make Baylor half cost, Tech free, and UH somewhat discounted.

From what I've heard, UH is notoriously stingy with scholly $. I was accepted last year with a 162...no money though so I had to look elsewhere.

TonyDigital wrote:

ggocat wrote:I think the best school on that list for OP is Tech 'cause it's the only one that might be reasonably priced with a 157. But a 3-point bump would probably make Baylor half cost, Tech free, and UH somewhat discounted.

From what I've heard, UH is notoriously stingy with scholly $. I was accepted last year with a 162...no money though so I had to look elsewhere.

They are stingy with big scholarships, but many students get small scholarships (about 40% of students). Coupled with in-state tuition (though on the rise), UH somewhat discounted could be about the same cost as half-price Baylor.

When I applied (eegadz, almost 4 years ago), my LSAT was at the median and UGPA above the 75th. Was hoping for more than the $5K/year they offered.

kalvano wrote:

mpasi wrote:

kalvano wrote:

mpasi wrote:Fair shot at SMU. Apply for daytime, as they don't have lower standards for the evening program.

What?

Someone said to apply at SMU p/t because it's easier to get in. SMU says otherwise. The SMU alum I interned for says the same thing. Unless I misunderstood. It's entirely possible, I'm posting on a Blackberry.

It was me who suggested that. It's easier to get into SMU PT than FT.

The numbers are much more favorable for low LSAT students.

So what they say and what they do are different. I asked an admissions rep point blank if it was easier with PT, and she said no. Meh, I'm easy. :p

Thanks guys. I know I really need to just suck it up and retake in October and try to squeeze out another couple points.....but I am REALLY not looking forward to cramming for another two months after just taking in June. Plus my work schedule is crazy this time of year...but oh well.

LawFarmer wrote:Alright. 157 LSAT (first try) and 3.5 gpa. Would like to stay in Texas and work in Dallas area. These would be my choices listed in order.

SMU
Houston
OU
Tx Tech
Baylor
Tulane
LSU

Have some grad credit and 5 yr. professional work experience (ie. had "manager" in my job title). Non URM. Should I retake in September? (was testing right at 157 on all practice tests prior to the June 157).

I know SMU and Houston are a very long shot. Honestly, I would be happy with OU (not sure if my scores will get me in there either??), and might consider Tech simply because its where my undergrad is from.

Thoughts??

I applied to several of those schools with slightly higher numbers. I was accepted by Baylor, deferred at SMU, and rejected Houston. If you can, retake and you'll be much more competitive.