163/3.87 Forum

[chewy]

163/3.97
I am considering several safety net schools but am wondering what my chances at

Notre Dame
Cornell
BC and BU
University of Illinois
Chicago (I am aware this is impossible)

I have above average softs, (aided in a published research project, as well as captain of varsity tennis team at big 12 university)

would applying early to any of these schools help my chances?

[GratefulDead]

In before someone says retake

[sundance95]

In before someone says retake

Retake. That GPA is a shame to waste.

[Bildungsroman]

Is your GPA a 3.87 or a 3.97?

[Mich33]

I had basically your same exact numbers and I got WLed at both BC and BU but I think I would've gotten in to BC had I not applied in February. Same with Notre Dame. I'd say Cornell and Chicago are out unless you also cured cancer.

I also will say that I wish I had retaken the LSAT...

[bk1]

In before someone says retake

Retake. That GPA is a shame to waste.

Retake is pretty much always the right response, no matter the GPA.

[General Tso]

you will be WL at all schools listed except Cornell (reject)

[chewy]

it is a 3.87 i mistyped in the second part

[Bildungsroman]

If you want to have a goos chance at any of those schools then it's a good idea to retake the LSAT; a few more points and you'd have a good shot at BC/BU/ND/UIUC. The way it stands now they're all long-shots, and you'll probably end up riding a lot of waitlists.

[General Tso]

If you want to have a goos chance at any of those schools then it's a good idea to retake the LSAT; a few more points and you'd have a good shot at BC/BU/ND/UIUC. The way it stands now they're all long-shots, and you'll probably end up riding a lot of waitlists.

i think theres a good chance of OP getting off the UIUC or one of BC/BU waitlists

but retake cannot hurt you, can only help

[OrdinarilySkilled]

If you retook and got <160 you might screw yourself
GW part time is an option to sneak into a pretty good school.

[You Gotta Have Faith]

Chicago wouldn't be quite as likely (though I'm rarely one to say impossible). But as for the others, I think you have a fighting chance at all of them. There are no locks here, and some are tougher than others, but you definitely have a shot.

Based on the schools you put down, you do not appear to care which region your school is in, so I'd consider adding some of Vandy, GW, USC, WUSTL, Emory, IU-B (the site gives you a "Strong Consider" with Emory and IU-B), and Minnesota.

See http://www.lawschoolpredictor.com/

I know it's a slightly longer shot, but also consider trying for Berkeley (if you can play up your softs right, that GPA may help keep you from flat-out denial) and potentially ED-ing Northwestern.

It's not fun having an LSAT that is lower than median, but you should have a very strong shot if you apply to enough of the schools with that GPA. People get in every year with high GPAs and lower LSATs.

To answer your question: Applying early is never a bad idea. I personally think applying in November is worth about 2 LSAT points when compared to applying in January. So... apply early! Also, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of having a great PS and resume. This is partly because having a poor or botched one can really hurt you. I know it is mostly a numbers game, but schools really do look at the rest of that stuff. Good luck!