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Q: How much do you regret going to Swarthmore knowing now that UG doesn't matter? (Disclosure: I ask this as someone who went to an elite LAC myself, who wishes he had gone to BIG STATE U for free and gotten a 4.0).ballents wrote:So I know no one likes to do this but here we go. I want to apply to a school in the northeast and I have a 3.28 from swarthmore (don't know exactly how much this helps) but I'm taking the October LSAT and have to send in my ED application before I get my score back. Right now I'm averaging a 176, but I know how little this means as I was averaging a 176 before the June test and I canceled. My PTs are pretty consistent but I wouldn't be shocked by anything between a 172 and 179.
For what it's worth I have pretty average softs. What is the best school I can get into in the northeast and where do you think I should ED?
Also, I still have a couple classes that I'm finishing up this year and could theoretically raise my GPA to a 3.35ish. Would it make any difference to apply next year with this slightly better gpa?
Thanks for any replies that aren't "come back when you have your real LSAT score."
It is a definite possibility but with a 170+ I am fairly sure at least one of the lower T14 will bit. The way I see it is that you are choosing between picking which lower T14 you want or instead getting a random T14 with a better shot at a T6.ballents wrote:Yeah, it hurts to say that I made a mistake by attending the college that I did, but, yes, it was almost definitely a mistake.
Thanks for the info about EDing, I was definitely confused about that and am relieved to hear I don't have to guess an LSAT score. Also, NYU is definitely my top choice. When you say a "halfway decent shot," is that a good enough shot to use my ED on if it's somewhere I really want to go? I'm kind of worried about wasting my ED and being left out of all the schools I want to go to--it seems splitter cycles can leave you out in the cold.
bk187 wrote:It is a definite possibility but with a 170+ I am fairly sure at least one of the lower T14 will bit. The way I see it is that you are choosing between picking which lower T14 you want or instead getting a random T14 with a better shot at a T6.ballents wrote:Yeah, it hurts to say that I made a mistake by attending the college that I did, but, yes, it was almost definitely a mistake.
Thanks for the info about EDing, I was definitely confused about that and am relieved to hear I don't have to guess an LSAT score. Also, NYU is definitely my top choice. When you say a "halfway decent shot," is that a good enough shot to use my ED on if it's somewhere I really want to go? I'm kind of worried about wasting my ED and being left out of all the schools I want to go to--it seems splitter cycles can leave you out in the cold.
Agreed, but it doesn't make it any less agonizing.ballents wrote:Ok, thanks. When you put it that way it seems like a pretty obvious choice.
If I were you I'd ED to NYU, I think they'll take you if you ED. And they might not if you don't ED. In which case you might be attending Cornell or worse Gulc.ballents wrote:Yeah, it hurts to say that I made a mistake by attending the college that I did, but, yes, it was almost definitely a mistake.
Thanks for the info about EDing, I was definitely confused about that and am relieved to hear I don't have to guess an LSAT score. Also, NYU is definitely my top choice. When you say a "halfway decent shot," is that a good enough shot to use my ED on if it's somewhere I really want to go? I'm kind of worried about wasting my ED and being left out of all the schools I want to go to--it seems splitter cycles can leave you out in the cold.
ballents wrote:I have a 3.28 from swarthmore
Swarthmore's average GPA is a 3.53 (higher than many Ivies), so OP's GPA is significantly below median.Desert Fox wrote:And to be honest a median Swarthmore grad like you, probably won't get 3.8 at a good public, or 3.9 at a shit public.
I had a problem with a logic game. I think I misunderstood the language but it left me flustered and unable to complete the section in time. I actually felt pretty good about the test other than that but figured I'd be better off giving it another try as that was one of my worst performances.CanadianWolf wrote:Why did you cancel your June test ?
Yeah, that definitely changes things. Reed is well-known in academic circles for its grade deflation (in fact I almost commented how Swarthmore is no Reed when it comes to low GPAs), so I would definitely write an addendum describing how you're actually above the median GPA there. Better yet, try to get your class rank or percentile from the dean's office and mention that as well.ballents wrote:Ok, so this is a little weird but I went to Reed not Swarthmore. I just said swarthmore because they seemed like roughly equivalent and I wasn't sure many of you guys would know Reed--it seems like we get a lot of respect from other colleges and universities but we aren't that widely known. However, Reed and Swarthmore don't seem as similar as I thought. Swarthmore is more highly ranked and probably more respected but Reed has no grade inflation at all; our average gpa is a 3.14.im_blue wrote:ballents wrote:I have a 3.28 from swarthmoreSwarthmore's average GPA is a 3.53 (higher than many Ivies), so OP's GPA is significantly below median.Desert Fox wrote:And to be honest a median Swarthmore grad like you, probably won't get 3.8 at a good public, or 3.9 at a shit public.
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I've also seen people freaking out about anonymity, but now that I think about it I can't imagine what the harm of someone figuring out my identity is. Now I just feel weird about lying seemingly for no reason but I figure good advice is more important than awkward internet exchanges.
Sorry about that. If this changes anything (besides making me look weird) let me know.
Swat is harder to get into than most Ivies.ballents wrote:Ok, so this is a little weird but I went to Reed not Swarthmore. I just said swarthmore because they seemed like roughly equivalent and I wasn't sure many of you guys would know Reed--it seems like we get a lot of respect from other colleges and universities but we aren't that widely known. However, Reed and Swarthmore don't seem as similar as I thought. Swarthmore is more highly ranked and probably more respected but Reed has no grade inflation at all; our average gpa is a 3.14.im_blue wrote:ballents wrote:I have a 3.28 from swarthmoreSwarthmore's average GPA is a 3.53 (higher than many Ivies), so OP's GPA is significantly below median.Desert Fox wrote:And to be honest a median Swarthmore grad like you, probably won't get 3.8 at a good public, or 3.9 at a shit public.
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I've also seen people freaking out about anonymity, but now that I think about it I can't imagine what the harm of someone figuring out my identity is. Now I just feel weird about lying seemingly for no reason but I figure good advice is more important than awkward internet exchanges.
Sorry about that. If this changes anything (besides making me look weird) let me know.
IAFG wrote:jesus what is it with Reed alums being self-important
If you paid 41,000 dollars a year for a Poli Sci degree from a school nobody heard of, then got beat in admissions by Iowa State grads, you'd be pissed.IAFG wrote:jesus what is it with Reed alums being self-important