Top Law Schools

I reason that because I plan to live in the Pacific Northwest for a long time, and because I have little chance at T14 schools, I would be best served by going to a regional school that is at least respected in the area that I plan to live. So with that said, how do you rate my chances at the following schools this time around, assuming that I apply early?

University of Washington
Seattle University
Lewis & Clark
University of Oregon

Adjudicator wrote:
University of Washington - Out
Seattle University - WL (they are hard to figure out)
Lewis & Clark - WL/In
University of Oregon -In

I'm going off my own experience. I had a 163 and a lower gpa and got accepted to L&C and UO, waitlisted at Seattle and I didn't even bother applying to UW. Important factors to figure in, I am an Oregon resident and I have 7 years work experience, though. I don't get the WL at Seattle but maybe applications were up or they didn't think I would actually attend.

SamSeaborn2016 wrote:

Adjudicator wrote:
University of Washington - Out
Seattle University - WL (they are hard to figure out)
Lewis & Clark - WL/In
University of Oregon -In

I'm going off my own experience. I had a 163 and a lower gpa and got accepted to L&C and UO, waitlisted at Seattle and I didn't even bother applying to UW. Important factors to figure in, I am an Oregon resident and I have 7 years work experience, though. I don't get the WL at Seattle but maybe applications were up or they didn't think I would actually attend.

Thanks for sharing. I'm surprised that it would be harder to get into Seattle than UO. Perhaps it was a fluke. According to the law school calculators, Seattle is my surest bet of the bunch.

Adjudicator wrote:

SamSeaborn2016 wrote:

Adjudicator wrote:
University of Washington - Out
Seattle University - WL (they are hard to figure out)
Lewis & Clark - WL/In
University of Oregon -In

I'm going off my own experience. I had a 163 and a lower gpa and got accepted to L&C and UO, waitlisted at Seattle and I didn't even bother applying to UW. Important factors to figure in, I am an Oregon resident and I have 7 years work experience, though. I don't get the WL at Seattle but maybe applications were up or they didn't think I would actually attend.

Thanks for sharing. I'm surprised that it would be harder to get into Seattle than UO. Perhaps it was a fluke. According to the law school calculators, Seattle is my surest bet of the bunch.

To be honest, I think my Oregon residency probably had something to do with that. I also went to UO for undergrad so they might be fans of the double duck.

But apply to U Dub anyway.

Someone I know (non-URM) got a half scholarship at Seattle U with a 164 and not much higher than a 3.0. That said, if you think you can boost your LSAT score, you should strongly consider retaking in order to have a better shot at UW.

This is random, but Cav you're from seattle yeah?

To the OP: I would def. throw in an application to UW either way. It's worth the app fee just to see if you get in. Essays/LORS are important to UW as well.

This is random, but Cav you're from seattle yeah?

Yes.

I definitely plan to give UW my best shot. If I apply very early, then who knows? Maybe they'll really like my statement.

Adjudicator wrote:I definitely plan to give UW my best shot. If I apply very early, then who knows? Maybe they'll really like my statement.

If I recall correctly, applying early there doesn't matter. They have a very early application deadline (January 15), and don't start making decisions until after the deadline.

They also like high GPA's.

I'll consider UW a hail mary. If I do get accepted somehow, I'll let you all know.

little to no shot at UW because of your GPA imo. but, id say youre a lock for SU given your LSAT score.

SamSeaborn2016 wrote:

Adjudicator wrote:
University of Washington - Out
Seattle University - WL (they are hard to figure out)
Lewis & Clark - WL/In
University of Oregon -In

I'm going off my own experience. I had a 163 and a lower gpa and got accepted to L&C and UO, waitlisted at Seattle and I didn't even bother applying to UW. Important factors to figure in, I am an Oregon resident and I have 7 years work experience, though. I don't get the WL at Seattle but maybe applications were up or they didn't think I would actually attend.

probably waitlisted at SU cuz of your gpa :\

secretasianman wrote:little to no shot at UW because of your GPA imo. but, id say youre a lock for SU given your LSAT score.

Thank you for your input. Since there are some Pacific NW folks in this thread already, can anyone comment on the reputation of Seattle University within the state of Washington? If I don't get into UW, I'm going to aim for transferring after 1L, but obviously I can't bet on that.

Does anyone think that I should retake the LSAT in December to boost my chances with UW, or do they have a floor for GPA that is well above mine?

I'm sure I could do better on the LSAT if I took it again.

Then again, UW averages multiple LSATs, so the benefit would be diminished somewhat.

..

secretasianman wrote:

SamSeaborn2016 wrote:

Adjudicator wrote:
University of Washington - Out
Seattle University - WL (they are hard to figure out)
Lewis & Clark - WL/In
University of Oregon -In

I'm going off my own experience. I had a 163 and a lower gpa and got accepted to L&C and UO, waitlisted at Seattle and I didn't even bother applying to UW. Important factors to figure in, I am an Oregon resident and I have 7 years work experience, though. I don't get the WL at Seattle but maybe applications were up or they didn't think I would actually attend.

probably waitlisted at SU cuz of your gpa :\

That's fair. My GPA was crap.

I really want to get into UW... should I retake the LSAT in December? Is it worth it, given that UW averages your scores? I think I could definitely do better.

Adjudicator wrote:I really want to get into UW... should I retake the LSAT in December? Is it worth it, given that UW averages your scores? I think I could definitely do better.

If you think you can do significantly better (as in 2-3 points or more) then retake. While they do average the scores, there is no official index, so they will probably look more favorably on an increase than an average would suggest (ESPECIALLY, since the ABA now takes only the highest score when compiling stats for US news / others).

By the way, have you considered an addendum? Only do this if you have a good excuse for your GPA.

legalease9 wrote:

Adjudicator wrote:I really want to get into UW... should I retake the LSAT in December? Is it worth it, given that UW averages your scores? I think I could definitely do better.

If you think you can do significantly better (as in 2-3 points or more) then retake. While they do average the scores, there is no official index, so they will probably look more favorably on an increase than an average would suggest (ESPECIALLY, since the ABA now takes only the highest score when compiling stats for US news / others).

By the way, have you considered an addendum? Only do this if you have a good excuse for your GPA.

Thanks.

Interestingly, I don't really have a good excuse for my GPA, but last cycle, two adcomms from different schools both told me that they would have liked to see an addendum about it. I'm going to include one this time, just saying that I was immature and shortsighted in undergrad and that I have matured since then. I've been out of school for 4 years, so I do have the benefit of some time between me and that GPA.

Adjudicator wrote:

legalease9 wrote:

Adjudicator wrote:I really want to get into UW... should I retake the LSAT in December? Is it worth it, given that UW averages your scores? I think I could definitely do better.

If you think you can do significantly better (as in 2-3 points or more) then retake. While they do average the scores, there is no official index, so they will probably look more favorably on an increase than an average would suggest (ESPECIALLY, since the ABA now takes only the highest score when compiling stats for US news / others).

By the way, have you considered an addendum? Only do this if you have a good excuse for your GPA.

Thanks.

Interestingly, I don't really have a good excuse for my GPA, but last cycle, two adcomms from different schools both told me that they would have liked to see an addendum about it. I'm going to include one this time, just saying that I was immature and shortsighted in undergrad and that I have matured since then. I've been out of school for 4 years, so I do have the benefit of some time between me and that GPA.

I didn't know you were that far out. That's good then. When you have some time apart from school, a maturity addendum like that could be very powerful (especially if you can bump up your LSAT 2-3 points).

legalease9 wrote:

Adjudicator wrote:

legalease9 wrote:

Adjudicator wrote:I really want to get into UW... should I retake the LSAT in December? Is it worth it, given that UW averages your scores? I think I could definitely do better.

If you think you can do significantly better (as in 2-3 points or more) then retake. While they do average the scores, there is no official index, so they will probably look more favorably on an increase than an average would suggest (ESPECIALLY, since the ABA now takes only the highest score when compiling stats for US news / others).

By the way, have you considered an addendum? Only do this if you have a good excuse for your GPA.

Thanks.

Interestingly, I don't really have a good excuse for my GPA, but last cycle, two adcomms from different schools both told me that they would have liked to see an addendum about it. I'm going to include one this time, just saying that I was immature and shortsighted in undergrad and that I have matured since then. I've been out of school for 4 years, so I do have the benefit of some time between me and that GPA.

I didn't know you were that far out. That's good then. When you have some time apart from school, a maturity addendum like that could be very powerful (especially if you can bump up your LSAT 2-3 points).

Thanks for your encouragement. I think I'm going to go for the December LSAT... I really have nothing to lose, and I always thought I could have done better. My practice tests were always in the high 170s.

Lawschoolpredictor shows that just raising my LSAT from a 164 to 167 bumps me up from "DENY" to "CONSIDER" on UW. Of course, that's assuming that they don't enforce any sort of floor on GPAs.

I have the impression that UW really favors in-state applicants, but I also have the impression that they emphasize GPA more than some of their peer schools. I think even being in-state you don't really have a chance at UW, but I could be wrong about that. If you were an out-of-state applicant I would be more strongly convinced that you have no chance.

Screw the nay-sayers!!! I think you should study, and retake the LSAT; market yourself well with a kickass PS emphasizing your desire to go to UW, and a addendum.

Obviously, it won't be easy to get in, but it won't hurt to try.