160, 3.0....Chance Me My Dudes Forum

[EricBerry]

Let me know what you think:

[Jack Smirks]

Can you retake in October? A few more points on the LSAT would be crucial.

[BrianGriffintheDog]

Hey I'm just throwing this out there, but with those numbers, you'll be able to get into a pretty respectable law school here in Canada. For great majority of law schools in Canada, we drop your worst year/2years and count your highest LSAT. Just sayin..

[dissonance1848]

I know that its TLS cliche, but its true; if possible, retake.

If you can add on 5 points or more, it would make a huge difference.

As for chances:

IU - out
UofW - out
Florida State - out
Kentucky - chance, less than 1/2
Tennesse - same as Kentucky
Pitt - less than 1/2
SMU - out
Cincinnati - less than 1/2
Georgia State - less than 1/4
Miami - maybe 50/50

The rest should be in.

[EricBerry]

I've taken the LSAT twice

[deadpanic]

I would remove Miami, because you might get in, but you will not get any scholarship money, and it probably isn't wise to pay 40K per year for the U. If you are out of state for Ole Miss, you could go either way, either WL or In. They like GPA & residents, so might want to attach a "Why Ole Miss" if possible. LSU, same as Ole Miss.

UT is really a toss up too. Their admissions office is pretty unpredictable. I think there were several 162/3.0 residents that were waitlisted last year and then some with much lower stats that made it in. I think you have a decent chance at SMU PT.

Probably in at South Carolina, they seem to admit 159+ LSAT scores no matter GPA. Good shot at Louisville.

Out at FSU, UK, and probably Wisconsin & IUB.

[EricBerry]

Hey I'm just throwing this out there, but with those numbers, you'll be able to get into a pretty respectable law school here in Canada. For great majority of law schools in Canada, we drop your worst year/2years and count your highest LSAT. Just sayin..

Interesting. I've traveled throughout Canada and love the country (especially BC), but I'm not sure that it would be the best location for me, having never lived outside of the southeastern US. I'll look into it though.

[EricBerry]

To deadpanic and dissonance:

Thanks a lot for the advice/input.

[Grizz]

You need to retake. If not so you get into better places, then do it for the money.

[EricBerry]

I'll break out some of the newer PTs tomorrow and see what I can do.

[Grizz]

You need to retake. If not so you get into better places, then do it for the money.

I know what you're saying and I realize that I'm right below that barrier for the next tier of schools, but I'm afraid of scoring below 160 in October. I haven't touched a PT or even thought about the LSAT in months. I'll break out some of the newer PTs tomorrow and see what I can do. If I retake, it wouldn't be for scholarships as much as better chances (Tennessee). Most of those SEC schools (and Memphis/Louisville) are extremely reasonable, even out of state, and don't give a lot of financial aid. My family could definitely help me out significantly if the debt ever became a serious problem (although I would certainly want to avoid that).

What's your definition of extremely reasonable? I wouldn't pay more than about $15k ish (per year) plus COL for most of those schools on that list.

Hold off until December or next cycle if you must. A 160 just doesn't get you very far at all these days. And some of the schools you can get into I just plain wouldn't go to at all for various reasons (ex. 1. Loyola New Orleans is overshadowed in the LA market) (ex 2. Southern markets can be insular and people will look at you weird if you go to Ole Miss or South Carolina to practice in those states without prior connections to that state).

[thexfactor]

add case wastttern and pittt.

my opinion: dont go to law school. At the level of schools you are looking at, there is too much luck involved in having a high enough class rank to get a job. People on LR+ 10%+ at those schools are even coming up empty. Granted at that level most people top 5% are in good shape, there is too much luck involved between being in the top 15% 10% or 5%. Sometimes, the difference between being in the top 5% and 10% is razor thin. One mistake will prevent you from being in the top 5%. The risks far outweigh the rewards.
retake or go home. Try MACC Masters of Accounting. Anyone with a pulse can get a 50k+ job.

[Grizz]

To clarify my above post, the schools on that list I would go to for super cheap are

FSU
Ole Miss, USC, LSU, KY (if I was from said states or had STRONG ties to said states)
Maybe SMU PT and Pitt

Even TN I'm skeptical because a fair amount of Vandy grads want to stay.

[EricBerry]

thanks

[Grizz]

Ever since I saw the 160, I was willing to apply knowing that my most realistic options are Memphis and Ole Miss with an outside chance at a better school like Tennessee or Kentucky. Between the convincing Why Tennessee essay, the distinguished alumni rec, Tennessee residency, and numbers that arent too far off, I think I have close to a 40% shot. I know an average guy who got in last year with around 151, 3.3 (although I realize that this isn't the norm). Memphis and Ole Miss do as well in my home market as any other school outside of Top 20 and Tennessee. Ole Miss is 16k + COL (in-state tuition starting 2L year) and Memphis is 11k + COL.

Being from TN, TN wouldn't be terrible as long as you adjust your expectations (ie incredibly slim chances at bigger firms). Ask around to make sure state and local govts. are hiring, as well as small firms. Things are pretty bad for people around the medians, and if you make median-ish grades (decent assumption), you will be gunning for these jobs upon graduation.

I caution against going to Ole Miss and Memphis for TN. The general rule is go to an ostensibly national school, a super regional (for the South, think Emory), or the best school in the region (normally the state) you want to practice in. Ole Miss and Memphis just plain aren't as good. When employers can have their pick of UT grads, why hire from Ole Miss and Memphis, generally, absent other, special factors (insane grades, family is a partner, etc.)? I would especially not go to Ole Miss because you then lose the opportunity to network from jobs in TN while at school.

Incidentally I think I heard something insanely bad about Memphis a few months ago in some other thread I posted in. I'll try to find it.

[EricBerry]

I've discussed future employment possibilities with a lot of family members and close family friends