3.53, 171 Forum

[Jage2]

Hey guys! I'm a 3.53 with a 171 LSAT (first and only) and I'm in a bit of a bind here. UPenn is far and away my first choice (I'm actually an undergrad there) so initially I was planning on applying early this cycle. However, it's occurred to me that I might be shooting myself in the foot; would it be better to work hard bringing my GPA up this year (ideally to 3.60-3.65) if I'm not 100% set on applying this cycle? Or is the difference so negligible to not matter?

Law School Predictor lists the difference in GPA as the difference between a consider and a strong consider, but I question the ability of a machine to make these kinds of distinctions. I know that at any rate, I'm very borderline, so I need to make sure my essays and LOR's are in good shape.

[booboo]

Dead set on UPenn? ED. You will likely get in. Though it limits you to one school, you can still withdraw from attending LS next year, and re-apply if you believe your higher GPA will allow you to go to a place you'd rather attend, or possibly increase scholarship money.

[KatieKat]

I agree, you should definitely ED. Did you check out LSN? It looks like you'll most likely be waitlisted with anything between a 3.4 and a 3.7, so I think that applying ED will give you a much better edge than bringing your GPA up a little. I really don't think they will outright reject you with a 171 LSAT, especially with an ED, so you'll probably have the chance to bring up your GPA which may help you get off the waitlist if you do land there.

[Jage2]

Penn's definitely my first choice (even above hypothetical acceptances to higher ranked schools -- although I also think Penn's about as good as I'm going to get in any case). And I'll certainly be EDing whether I apply this cycle or next.

Edit: That's actually a great point I hadn't considered; getting waitlisted lets me send my fall semester grades in. And I agree about that LSN suggests it doesn't make a big difference and that I'll most likely be waitlisted with either a 3.53 or 3.63. So I guess it boils down to how much ED helps and how much I can reasonably do to get myself off the waitlist.

[sgtgrumbles]

Why does Penn waitlist people with 3.4 to 3.7? I have a 3.58 and 174 and was worrying about being WLed as yield protection, not for a low GPA. Am I not getting $ there, even with a good 5 year plan essay?

[KatieKat]

Why does Penn waitlist people with 3.4 to 3.7? I have a 3.58 and 174 and was worrying about being WLed as yield protection, not for a low GPA. Am I not getting $ there, even with a good 5 year plan essay?

You have some unpredictable numbers.. There's a good chance your GPA will get you waitlisted but if the rest of your application is strong, I think you have a very good shot at getting in. Getting $ might be a long shot, but it could happen. You just have to convince them that they NEED you at their school.