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believe you are a definite at American and GMU, Georgetown reach, and Washington 50/50. Really depends on quality of personal statement and softs. If you are not applying for 2011 try a retake if you can raise to 160+ it will really increase chances at top 2 picks. good luck

Any more ideas at to my chances at American, GMU, GW, and Georgetown?

Those were my exact numbers. Are you a URM?

Yes, AA male. My mistake for not mentioning that.

I am a upset that I missed the 160 mark, but I'm hoping that the whole package helps me out a bit.

Okay, that makes more sense. I had your numbers but I am as white as they come lol, so I'm not as much help as I thought I would be. However, I would say in at American with some money, in at GMU with some money, 50/50 at GW and longshot for Georgetown but worth the application (especially since you should get a fee waiver)

Lol, I just saw that tas817 gave the same answer, so that's probably your answer right there. However, if you can get a 158 you can get a 160, and a 160+ would be very worth your while. The reason being that for AA's a 158 is in the upper echelons, probably just past the 90th percentile. Just 2 points for a 160 would probably shoot you up to the 95th percentile +. A 163 and you're looking at a 98/99th percentile score.

Total Litigator wrote:Lol, I just saw that tas817 gave the same answer, so that's probably your answer right there. However, if you can get a 158 you can get a 160, and a 160+ would be very worth your while. The reason being that for AA's a 158 is in the upper echelons, probably just past the 90th percentile. Just 2 points for a 160 would probably shoot you up to the 95th percentile +. A 163 and you're looking at a 98/99th percentile score.

Yeah I am kicking myself over missing the 160 mark. I just do not know if I can commit time to taking the test in December due to other responsibilities I have and well the feeling of I am done with that part of the process. Honestly, I was testing below the 158 mark, but got into a groove that week before the test. Maybe I will take a few practice tests and see if it is worth going back at it. I plan to apply early binding decision to G'Town if that matters at all.

Total Litigator wrote:Lol, I just saw that tas817 gave the same answer, so that's probably your answer right there. However, if you can get a 158 you can get a 160, and a 160+ would be very worth your while. The reason being that for AA's a 158 is in the upper echelons, probably just past the 90th percentile. Just 2 points for a 160 would probably shoot you up to the 95th percentile +. A 163 and you're looking at a 98/99th percentile score.

I am also interested in several Virginia schools, namely William and Mary, Washington and Lee, and UVA. I attend undergrad in Virginia, but am a resident of Texas. Do my numbers give me a shot at these institutions?

3.5 is a decent gpa, but for Georgetown, even as a URM, you'll need a higher LSAT score.

downing wrote:3.5 is a decent gpa, but for Georgetown, even as a URM, you'll need a higher LSAT score.

Yeah I know ...What do you think about the Virginia schools I mentioned. W&L, W&M, UVA. UVA IS ranked higher than even G'Town so I assume I am really unlikely admit there as well.

You've got a good shot at William and Mary and Washington & Lee. But, unless you have extraordinary story, (and even if you do) UVA is a pipedream. With a 158 being so close to a 160, you could just take the LSAT again, study your ass off, and hope to do better next time. On the June test I got a 159, but I came out of the October test with a 165 and my prospects are much brighter now - and if I were a URM my prospects would be brighter still.

3.5 is a good base GPA for those Virginia schools (exception UVA) because it is in their middle 50%. You can think of your LSAT in terms of percentiles. I'm guessing a 158 is just above the 90th percentile for AA, lets say 92nd percentile. In terms of all test takers, 92nd percentile is about a 164/165. Because that logic isn't perfect, and your GPA should get a URM boost (but not as much as the LSAT boost) I would say you have a good shot at W&M & W&L. UVA is one heck of a long shot. Remember to apply for fee waivers though, as you should be a shoe in for fee waivers at most schools.
The only drawback to taking the LSAT again is that you would have to ask the schools to hold your app, which might hurt any early app advantage you may have had, so be sure you are consistently practice testing 160+ before you do....

downing wrote:You've got a good shot at William and Mary and Washington & Lee. But, unless you have extraordinary story, (and even if you do) UVA is a pipedream. With a 158 being so close to a 160, you could just take the LSAT again, study your ass off, and hope to do better next time. On the June test I got a 159, but I came out of the October test with a 165 and my prospects are much brighter now - and if I were a URM my prospects would be brighter still.

Yeah I am tempted to retake.Since I have a fee waiver I will register, but I doubt I will end up taking the test again. I want to have my apps finished and in by the middle of December. I will do my best putting a package together and go from there. I serve as Student Government President at my school and have other notable softs. Hopefully I can make some magic. A good friend of mine is at UVA with a full tuition ride. He is white and earned a 170.

At the end of the day my goal is to be a government relations lawyer in D.C. I am not beholden to this idea, but I have an affinity for politics and well I see it as being the happy medium.

Total Litigator wrote:3.5 is a good base GPA for those Virginia schools (exception UVA) because it is in their middle 50%. You can think of your LSAT in terms of percentiles. I'm guessing a 158 is just above the 90th percentile for AA, lets say 92nd percentile. In terms of all test takers, 92nd percentile is about a 164/165. Because that logic isn't perfect, and your GPA should get a URM boost (but not as much as the LSAT boost) I would say you have a good shot at W&M & W&L. UVA is one heck of a long shot. Remember to apply for fee waivers though, as you should be a shoe in for fee waivers at most schools.
The only drawback to taking the LSAT again is that you would have to ask the schools to hold your app, which might hurt any early app advantage you may have had, so be sure you are consistently practice testing 160+ before you do....

I love your statistical prognostications. You mentioned apply for fee waivers. I thought LSAC would just process the fee waiver for each school after I submit the application. I will likely apply with my 3.5/158. G'Town is my first choice, but I would be just as happy with GWU. American and GMU are nothing to scoff at in my opinion.

My goal for years has been to attend law school and I am just happy that I will be able to attend a reputable law school haha.

Lol, sorry sometimes I get carried away. And I'm not exactly how fee waivers work. However, I know there are 2 kinds: one is granted to you automatically by the school as long as you checked the LSAC option to send this info automatically to law schools. I think your stats would qualify for automatic fee waivers at a decent amount of good schools. However, if your numbers don't qualify you for the automatic fee waiver, you can email the school and ask for one. Schools have different requirements (some require a photo copy of a tax return) but I've heard most are pretty liberal giving them out to potentially qualified applicants without any proof of income (for most schools your GPA/LSAT would meet this threshhold). You would have to apply for the LSAC application fee waivers seperately, but since those are only 12 bucks they aren't as big of a deal. In my opinion, if you can get a fee waiver from a school, by all means get one, its ridic to have to spend $600 to apply to 10 schools, and the schools's US News scores benefit from the increased number of apps, and it doesn't hurt to ask.

Total Litigator wrote:Lol, sorry sometimes I get carried away. And I'm not exactly how fee waivers work. However, I know there are 2 kinds: one is granted to you automatically by the school as long as you checked the LSAC option to send this info automatically to law schools. I think your stats would qualify for automatic fee waivers at a decent amount of good schools. However, if your numbers don't qualify you for the automatic fee waiver, you can email the school and ask for one. Schools have different requirements (some require a photo copy of a tax return) but I've heard most are pretty liberal giving them out to potentially qualified applicants without any proof of income (for most schools your GPA/LSAT would meet this threshhold). You would have to apply for the LSAC application fee waivers seperately, but since those are only 12 bucks they aren't as big of a deal. In my opinion, if you can get a fee waiver from a school, by all means get one, its ridic to have to spend $600 to apply to 10 schools, and the schools's US News scores benefit from the increased number of apps, and it doesn't hurt to ask.

I have received waivers today from W&M, UVA, Duke, and USC. I know they often send them out to simply raise their rejection numbers and in the case of Duke and UVA, I know this is the case.