Top Law Schools

I need to attend school in Southern California. What should my strategy be? Can I even get in anywhere? I'm 28 with successes in the business world since college. Will my GPA be overlooked at all because it was so long ago?

You have a 50/50 shot at Southwestern Law. Worth it in this economy? Probably not. That's the only school in LA you have a shot with though.

gmiser66 wrote:Will my GPA be overlooked at all because it was so long ago?

Not really.

I'll try to be a little more helpful...

Your 163 is strong for a couple of schools in Southern California.

First, it should get you into Southwestern.

Now, aim a little higher and look at Chapman. They just went from T3 into the top 100. They are regional, but solid in the Orange County area. Your 163 will give you a shot there, since it is well above their 75th.

Finally, I would aim even higher and apply to Loyola. Your GPA is pretty low, but your LSAT is right at their 75th. Apply to their part-time evening program and you may have a better shot.

Bottom line on your experience, it will definitely help your application, not hurt it. Just write up a solid PS and an addendum for your GPA.

Good luck!

fragged wrote:I'll try to be a little more helpful...

Your 163 is strong for a couple of schools in Southern California.

First, it should get you into Southwestern.

Now, aim a little higher and look at Chapman. They just went from T3 into the top 100. They are regional, but solid in the Orange County area. Your 163 will give you a shot there, since it is well above their 75th.

Finally, I would aim even higher and apply to Loyola. Your GPA is pretty low, but your LSAT is right at their 75th. Apply to their part-time evening program and you may have a better shot.

Bottom line on your experience, it will definitely help your application, not hurt it. Just write up a solid PS and an addendum for your GPA.

Good luck!

... so definitely don't listen to this guy...

lawschoollll wrote:

fragged wrote:I'll try to be a little more helpful...

Your 163 is strong for a couple of schools in Southern California.

First, it should get you into Southwestern.

Now, aim a little higher and look at Chapman. They just went from T3 into the top 100. They are regional, but solid in the Orange County area. Your 163 will give you a shot there, since it is well above their 75th.

Finally, I would aim even higher and apply to Loyola. Your GPA is pretty low, but your LSAT is right at their 75th. Apply to their part-time evening program and you may have a better shot.

Bottom line on your experience, it will definitely help your application, not hurt it. Just write up a solid PS and an addendum for your GPA.

Good luck!

... so definitely don't listen to this guy...

He's right... Why don't you just accept defeat and apply to Whittier, Western State, and any other T4's that have the lowest admissions standards. After all, why put the effort in and aim high? Just listen to everyone who tells you what you can't do, and follow their instructions.

fragged wrote:

lawschoollll wrote:

fragged wrote:I'll try to be a little more helpful...

Your 163 is strong for a couple of schools in Southern California.

First, it should get you into Southwestern.

Now, aim a little higher and look at Chapman. They just went from T3 into the top 100. They are regional, but solid in the Orange County area. Your 163 will give you a shot there, since it is well above their 75th.

Finally, I would aim even higher and apply to Loyola. Your GPA is pretty low, but your LSAT is right at their 75th. Apply to their part-time evening program and you may have a better shot.

Bottom line on your experience, it will definitely help your application, not hurt it. Just write up a solid PS and an addendum for your GPA.

Good luck!

... so definitely don't listen to this guy...

He's right... Why don't you just accept defeat and apply to Whittier, Western State, and any other T4's that have the lowest admissions standards. After all, why put the effort in and aim high? Just listen to everyone who tells you what you can't do, and follow their instructions.

Are you being sarcastic?

MW

mst wrote:You have a 50/50 shot at Southwestern Law. Worth it in this economy? Probably not.

Worth it in any economy?

RVP11 wrote:

mst wrote:You have a 50/50 shot at Southwestern Law. Worth it in this economy? Probably not.

Worth it in any economy?

It was for Marcia Clark, and Larry H. Parker.

Hey OP. This is not the place for this kind of advice. Chapman is a decent school, you wont get biglaw from it if thats what your are looking for. You could start your own practice or find a job with the state. You need to fingure out what your career goals are and if it is worth the debt.
Chapman will stay in the T100 IMO from here on out. Hopefully move on up.

mst wrote:You have a 50/50 shot at Southwestern Law. Worth it in this economy? Probably not. That's the only school in LA you have a shot with though.

WRONG

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People's_College_of_Law

2807 wrote:

RVP11 wrote:

mst wrote:You have a 50/50 shot at Southwestern Law. Worth it in this economy? Probably not.

Worth it in any economy?

It was for Marcia Clark, and Larry H. Parker.

Sure.

But this is like saying that because buying lottery tickets was "worth it" to the winners, it is therefore "worth it" for you. If only.

You have a shot at Southwestern and Chapman. Retake if you want to aim higher.

im_blue wrote:You have a shot at Southwestern and Chapman. Retake if you want to aim higher.

This. Chapman, in my imo, is the better choice here

fragged wrote: Now, aim a little higher and look at Chapman. They just went from T3 into the top 100.

lol doesn't matter.

Retake. Any school willing to take your numbers is probably not worth going to. I know because I have a 2.5 myself.

Ya that 2.5 gpa blows pretty bad, doesn't it? My 164 is the only thing I have going for me. PT's averaged around 170, but I blew it on test day. Literally 6 years ago, I had a flunk out semester at a small regional school straight out of high school. I played tennis and partied. Like a moron, I never thought it would turn around and bite me in the ass 6.5 years down the road lol. With a 170 it might have been a different story, but now a lot of doors are closed to me.

But I have decided to go to UNM anyway, so I think it will work out for me despite the shit-score. UNM law is the only law school in New Mexico, it is a solid T2, gives a huge preference to residents, has total access to the legal market in the state, and only costs $1,360 a year for residents. A 164 as a resident is like an auto-admit. If I'm not going to a T14 school, I'll be damned if I get over 50k in debt. If everything works out, I will graduate with minimal debt and have a decent job in Albuquerque when I graduate. Its no BigLaw, but I am OK with that.

The point of all this is: 1) Retake if you can, get the 170. 2) If you don't retake, seriously re-evaluate your life options. If you still want to be a lawyer, try to make it happen for as cheap as possible. If you hate it you can still get out of the game with minimal debt.

Good Luck