GPA: 3.22 LSAT: 180 Chances at Columbia, NYU? Forum

[dissonance1848]

Hello. Big lurker here. I am applying this fall for the Class of 2014. Hoping to get all my stuff in by late September.

What are my chances at Columbia or NYU? How would they change if I E'D to either of them? Thanks!

[sophia.olive]

is the 180 a retake or first try?

[kalvano]

It doesn't matter.

[sophia.olive]

It doesn't matter.

it does for some schools

[dissonance1848]

Cancelled first time, 180 second time.

[LLB2JD]

It doesn't matter.

it does for some schools

Such as?

[d34d9823]

It doesn't matter.

it does for some schools

Such as?

HYS only, I believe. The public statements on websites are useless, but someone did some data analysis on this on LSN awhile back I think.

[sophia.olive]

I think you have an average shot at both.
I think ED would help, but i dont think it will make a lock at all.
I also think you should apply broadly for money at a lower school.

What are some other elements of your application, any above average softs.

[dissonance1848]

Alas, my softs are about average. I was hoping that applying relatively early (late September) would help some at the margins. I will be applying broadly throughout the t-14 (save for HYS and B, which I know are adamant about GPA), and perhaps Vandy and UCLA.

[spondee]

If you went to an Ivy for undergrad, I think Columbia likes that. If you went to a good undergrad generally (but not Ivy), I think both schools will like that. Might alleviate the GPA some. Also, if you're not right out of undergrad, I think that lessens the GPA's influence in their decision a bit.

[2ofspades]

I agree with spondee, but aside from UG institution and WE, if I were you and I knew I wanted either CLS or NYU, I would ED to NYU, if for no other reason than that CLS seems much more restrictive on GPAs than NYU. I think you have a significantly better shot at NYU.

Would you feel comfortable telling us what areas of law you're most interested in studying and where you hope to work after graduating?

[dissonance1848]

My undergrad was not Ivy, but it is a strong private research university, and yeah, I am a year out from undergrad, as I've spent the time doing battle with the LSAT. Thanks for the feedback!

[dissonance1848]

Well, I am getting around to reading Chirlstein on Federal Income Taxation, to see how I feel about tax law. That's part of the reason why I am considering E'D to CLS or NYU. That said, if I find tax turns me on, I will definitely be applying E'D to NYU. Also, my understanding is that although CLS is somewhat better than NYU at the elite firms, they are similar in terms of employment stats, etc.

[legalease9]

If you want to go to Columbia/NYU as your first choices, Pick your favorite and ED. Your chances will be very good with your 180. You may want to consider HYS though (which ED'ing to CLS/NYU would forbid). Its a long shot with your GPA, but getting into HYS (particularly HY) is another leap and bound above CLS/NYU. But if you don't ED, you may fall into the lower T10. So you really have to consider your priorities, and what you want to do with your JD (academia makes trying for yale more important than firm work etc.).

Either way, blanket the T14 with apps.

[dissonance1848]

I am going to blanket the T-14 with apps, but since I am mainly interested in firm work, I think it is probably more prudent to decide to E'D to either CLS or NYU ( I am leaning toward NYU, given its 23% acceptance vs. CLS 15%) than to send to HYS and see if I can make it through the breech.

[sophia.olive]

^I think that is a better choice if you are not worried about not getting schollies.

[dissonance1848]

I am not worried about not getting schollies.

[sophia.olive]

NYU for the win then.

[dissonance1848]

If the odds are substantially better E'Ding to NYU than CLS, which they would seem to be, then yes, NYU for the win.

[sophia.olive]

And if the interest in tax continues, i think NYU is the best?

[dissonance1848]

If I do find myself into tax, then yes, I will definitely E'D to NYU.

[IAFG]

And if the interest in tax continues, i think NYU is the best?

o pls it makes no difference whatsoever CLS is going to prep you for a career in tax just as well

[2ofspades]

And if the interest in tax continues, i think NYU is the best?

o pls it makes no difference whatsoever CLS is going to prep you for a career in tax just as well

I think the point was that, given a discernibly better chance of admission at NYU, OP should strongly consider EDing there unless he is interested in a practice area in which CLS dominates NYU. NYU is great for tax, so EDing there is a good choice.

[094320]

..

[spondee]

And if the interest in tax continues, i think NYU is the best?

o pls it makes no difference whatsoever CLS is going to prep you for a career in tax just as well

No. The idea that all the top schools are equally strong in all areas of law is overstated on TLS. NYU will have more tax classes and from bigger-name professors. If all else is equal, and if you're certain you want to do tax, NYU is clearly a stronger choice than CLS.