169/3.87 ED to CLS/NYU? Forum

[CHEERios585]

I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to apply to CLS/NYU ED. I got a 169 (single take) and had a 3.87 at a top 20 undergrad. Currently a year out of undergrad with work experience at a large law firm.

Thanks!

[Jornste]

I applied ED to NYU with a 169, 3.88, straight out of a Top 20, and I'll be starting up there in a week....so, I think EDing to NYU could be a move.

I dunno how it would've turned out EDing to CLS (most likely rejection or WL) but I definitely would have been less confident about my chances....regardless, NYU was a better fit for me.

Maybe with a 170 or 171 you'd be better off EDing to CLS, but its gonna be difficult without cracking the 170s....If your dream is to stay in NYC for school, then your best bet is to ED to NYU....no need to go through the added stress of prepping for another LSAT.

[Knock]

I applied ED to NYU with a 169, 3.88, straight out of a Top 20, and I'll be starting up there in a week....so, I think EDing to NYU could be a move.

I dunno how it would've turned out EDing to CLS (most likely rejection or WL) but I definitely would have been less confident about my chances....regardless, NYU was a better fit for me.

Maybe with a 170 or 171 you'd be better off EDing to CLS, but its gonna be difficult without cracking the 170s....If your dream is to stay in NYC for school, then your best bet is to ED to NYU....no need to go through the added stress of prepping for another LSAT.

I agree, except that if you're confident you can hit at least a 171 on a retake then you should consider it. If not, then ED NYU.

[CHEERios585]

Definitely not retaking the LSAT... I took it in June 09 and honestly, I don't have the time to study and do it over again.

I visited both schools and while I liked NYU better (though classes weren't in session), from what I've read I might have a chance at NYU RD. In addition, I've been told by certain people at my firm that although CLS and NYU are rated the same, they still associate more prestige with CLS (not knocking NYU or anything).

[Knock]

Definitely not retaking the LSAT... I took it in June 09 and honestly, I don't have the time to study and do it over again.

I visited both schools and while I liked NYU better (though classes weren't in session), from what I've read I might have a chance at NYU RD. In addition, I've been told by certain people at my firm that although CLS and NYU are rated the same, they still associate more prestige with CLS (not knocking NYU or anything).

You're 2 below the median LSAT at CLS though, and you're certainly not a lock at NYU RD. It's about risk mitigation. How badly do you want to attend a T6? Would you be willing to forgoe a probable NYU ED acceptance for a slight boost at CLS? and if you don't get into CLS ED, you might not get into NYU, and then if you're still interested in the NYC market you're looking at Penn. I think the optimal blend would be to ED to NYU. Of course, you could always not ED and see how it plays and if any money you get can entice you to another school.

[CHEERios585]

Thanks for the advice! I think that I'll apply ED to NYU.

[Deuce]

I'm almost a numbers twin (168). Exact same debate. How did you decide on NYU? Was it the shot of getting in vs. rejected at both (ED CLS, RD NYU?)

[vsl89]

W/ the NYU LSAT median jumping a pt. to equal CLS, is there really any difference in where to apply ED now anyway for you?

[St.Remy]

W/ the NYU LSAT median jumping a pt. to equal CLS, is there really any difference in where to apply ED now anyway for you?

The LSAT number that OP and others on this thread should be worried about isn't the LSAT median so much as the LSAT 25th percentile, since they were already below the median before. The 25th at CLS is 170 while the bottom 25th at NYU is 169 (albeit the new CLS numbers haven't come out yet so this could change). Thus if NYU let in the OP they would be helping their GPA 75th while keeping their LSAT 25th the same, while if CLS let in the OP they would be hurting their reported LSAT across the board. Thus an ED to NYU is still more viable even with their median LSAT increase.

[emilybeth]

I am your identical numbers twin. I ED'ed CLS and was rejected. I RD'ed NYU and was waitlisted. I am certain that if I'd done it the other way around, CLS (of course) still would have been a reject, and NYU would have been an in.

For what it's worth, I'm glad I ended up where I did (Boalt) but your post definitely made me wonder, "what if...?"

[vsl89]

What is the CLS LSAT25 fell to 169? Would it be even? Or would LSN dictate that NYU is still the safer bet?

[St.Remy]

What if the CLS LSAT25 fell to 169? Would it be even? Or would LSN dictate that NYU is still the safer bet?

If the 25th percentile LSAT score fell to 169 and all the other CLS numbers stayed the same then it would actually be a better bet to ED there than NYU because Columbia has a slightly lower 75th percentile GPA. That being said I would be very surprised if CLS experienced any LSAT drop (unless NYU snatched enough of the 175+ students to make Columbia's 75th LSAT fall to 174, which wouldn't effect OP or any other reverse splitters).

[dissonance1848]

ED to NYU, better acceptance rate too. If OP wants CLS, needs to retake LSAT, get at least 3-4 points more for real shot.

[094320]

..

[CHEERios585]

Thanks for everyone's advice! Thought I'd update y'all.

Applied ED to NYU and was among the first to hear in December. I believe it was 12/10 or 12/9 when I received the purple envelope! Good luck to everyone!

[sundance95]

Nice! Congrats.