3.7/162, Help me 'trim the fat' from my application list Forum

[ZFeinberg13]

LSDAS GPA: 3.7 from UF; LSAT: 162; non-URM

(Rank) School

(11) Northwestern University
(20) George Washington University
(22) Boston University
(34) Fordham University
(34) University of Washington
(21) University of Illinois
(22) University of Minnesota
(28) University of Wisconsin
(52) Yeshiva University (Cardozo)
(28) University of North Carolina
(47) University of Florida
(48) American University
(72) Temple University
(52) University of Connecticut


Please chance me, suggest additions or subtractions, or add any other comments about these schools. Thanks!

[bk1]

Why not UT, WUSTL, BC, ND, IUB?

NU seems a stretch, do you have W/E?

Unless you really, really want NYC, I would cut Cardozo, same with American in regards to DC. Temple and UConn seem kind of random.

EDIT: Do you have no geographic preference at all other than not the west coast?

[D-ROCCA]

Where do you want to practice? It seems like that should dictate where you apply.

[Cardboardbox]

LSDAS GPA: 3.7 from UF; LSAT: 162; non-URM

(Rank) School

(11) Northwestern University [out]
(20) George Washington University [out]
(22) Boston University [out]
(34) Fordham University [out FT/WL PT if early app, maybe]
(34) University of Washington [out]
(21) University of Illinois [wl/out]
(22) University of Minnesota [wl/out]
(28) University of Wisconsin [wl]
(52) Yeshiva University (Cardozo) [in/wl]
(28) University of North Carolina [wl/out]
(47) University of Florida [in]
(48) American University [in]
(72) Temple University [in]
(52) University of Connecticut [in]


Please chance me, suggest additions or subtractions, or add any other comments about these schools. Thanks!

You're gonna hear this from others but I may as well be the first, if you think you can do better, retake. In any case, with current numbers you'll need to cut out alot of those.

[ZFeinberg13]

Thanks for some of the feedback. Geographically, I'm pretty open (including to the west coast. none of the schools seemed to be the right fit for me.) I was hoping to shy away from schools that weren't really based in a 'city' but I am flexible on that too. Just curious, why do Cardozo and American get such bad feedback on this forum? I know a few people who have gone to both and say that the overall vibe is positive coming out of both schools.

[Kswizzie]

Thanks for some of the feedback. Geographically, I'm pretty open (including to the west coast. none of the schools seemed to be the right fit for me.) I was hoping to shy away from schools that weren't really based in a 'city' but I am flexible on that too. Just curious, why do Cardozo and American get such bad feedback on this forum? I know a few people who have gone to both and say that the overall vibe is positive coming out of both schools.

Its not so much that they are "bad" schools its just that places like NY and DC have a ton of much better schools feeding into them. In NY, this means that you will be in competition against people from Columbia, NYU, Cornell and Fordham not to mention the rest of the T-14 schools.

[sophia.olive]

Why not UT, WUSTL, BC, ND, IUB?

NU seems a stretch, do you have W/E?

Unless you really, really want NYC, I would cut Cardozo, same with American in regards to DC. Temple and UConn seem kind of random.

EDIT: Do you have no geographic preference at all other than not the west coast?

+1 And why dont you throw in some of those UCs like Davis and Hastings

[Grizz]

Thanks for some of the feedback. Geographically, I'm pretty open (including to the west coast. none of the schools seemed to be the right fit for me.) I was hoping to shy away from schools that weren't really based in a 'city' but I am flexible on that too. Just curious, why do Cardozo and American get such bad feedback on this forum? I know a few people who have gone to both and say that the overall vibe is positive coming out of both schools.

Positive vibe? No way. Comparatively mediocre schools in saturated markets.

Where do you want to practice? As someone else said above, this is everything.

Also OP, a retake for you is in order.

[Aberzombie1892]

(11) Northwestern University
(20) George Washington University
(22) Boston University
(34) Fordham University
(34) University of Washington
(21) University of Illinois
(22) University of Minnesota
(28) University of Wisconsin
(52) Yeshiva University (Cardozo)
(28) University of North Carolina
(47) University of Florida
(48) American University
(72) Temple University
(52) University of Connecticut

I would consider removing U of Illinois (unless you can get instate), Yeshiva, and American.

It appears that you are concentrating on the northeast and midwest with UNC thrown in.

You could add William and Mary/Washington & Lee if you had additional funds for applications.

[ZFeinberg13]

Right, I can see that NY and DC have the large lot of better schools feeding into them but isn't it also the case that they have such sizable markets (relatively, of course) that it's negligible? In other words, might I have just as much trouble getting a decent job after graduating in one of those two markets as I would from a top school in a smaller market, i.e. coming out of U Kentucky?

The reasons I don't have UC Davis and UC Hastings on my list, (though I originally considered both) were that the former had too much of a small-town, campus feel to it and the latter scared me away with their crazy grading system.

And, as predicted, I've gotten a couple responses that suggest retaking the LSAT. Unfortunately, as trite as it has become to say so, I am one of those lousy test takers and the LSAT is a tricky one to master. I definitely gave it my all and did just about as well as I think possible for me. Plus, that June '10 one was a toughy

[Grizz]

Right, I can see that NY and DC have the large lot of better schools feeding into them but isn't it also the case that they have such sizable markets (relatively, of course) that it's negligible? In other words, might I have just as much trouble getting a decent job after graduating in one of those two markets as I would from a top school in a smaller market, i.e. coming out of U Kentucky?

No, basically because DC and NY are very desirable markets that many people from many schools want to be there. Also, you don't really need ties for these areas, as firms already know why you want to be in these highly desirable markets.

[bk1]

Right, I can see that NY and DC have the large lot of better schools feeding into them but isn't it also the case that they have such sizable markets (relatively, of course) that it's negligible? In other words, might I have just as much trouble getting a decent job after graduating in one of those two markets as I would from a top school in a smaller market, i.e. coming out of U Kentucky?

The reasons I don't have UC Davis and UC Hastings on my list, (though I originally considered both) were that the former had too much of a small-town, campus feel to it and the latter scared me away with their crazy grading system.

And, as predicted, I've gotten a couple responses that suggest retaking the LSAT. Unfortunately, as trite as it has become to say so, I am one of those lousy test takers and the LSAT is a tricky one to master. I definitely gave it my all and did just about as well as I think possible for me. Plus, that June '10 one was a toughy

Seems worthwhile to at least try. Considering schools take your top score, you have a lot to gain and little to lose.