Top Law Schools

Just wondering if I may be shooting too high and should consider applying to some lower-ranked schools. 167 (out of the country and no chance for a retake) 3.85 HYP; applied to HYSCCV (for which I know my numbers are sub-par, but I thought it was worth a shot), Cornell, Georgetown, and Northwestern. Above-average softs but nothing mind-blowing (some publications, founder/president of a few clubs, competitive fellowships but nothing on the scale of Marshall/Rhodes, DI athlete, grew up speaking several foreign languages at home, am currently pursuing a graduate degree outside the US).

The reason I ask is because I was recently "held" at Georgetown, which is putting some doubts into my mind about the rest of my cycle.

Thanks for your input!

There's nothing wrong with shooting too high if you have properly hedged your bets with some lower schools. If I were you, I'd apply to about 6 more in the teens and 2 in the 20's

You should throw duke, texas, penn, berk, ucla, vandy, and michigan into the mix. or at least some of those.

These are only slightly "above-average" softs?

Maybe I have only read a small unrepresentative sample of law school applicants, but I think you are slightly discrediting yourself.

Polybius wrote:The reason I ask is because I was recently "held" at Georgetown, which is putting some doubts into my mind about the rest of my cycle.

Georgetown was a reach. You are below their 25 %ile LSAT. Your only true T14 shots are at Berkeley and Cornell.

Depending on where you want to work, add some T30 safeties like WUSTL, BU, GW, etc.

This thread reeks of anti-nyu trolling.

Also, I agree with dieant

xmrmckenziex wrote:These are only slightly "above-average" softs?

Maybe I have only read a small unrepresentative sample of law school applicants, but I think you are slightly discrediting yourself.

As far as T14 applicants go, those softs are slightly above average.

xmrmckenziex wrote:These are only slightly "above-average" softs?

Maybe I have only read a small unrepresentative sample of law school applicants, but I think you are slightly discrediting yourself.

What more do you want? I think "above-average" is correct here.

Edit: HWood beat me to it.

HeavenWood wrote:

Polybius wrote:The reason I ask is because I was recently "held" at Georgetown, which is putting some doubts into my mind about the rest of my cycle.

Georgetown was a reach. You are below their 25 %ile LSAT. Your only true T14 shots are at Berkeley and Cornell.

Depending on where you want to work, add some T30 safeties like WUSTL, BU, GW, etc.

This. 167 is not good for T14. Or the 15-17, but your GPA may save you.

HeavenWood wrote:
Georgetown was a reach. You are below their 25 %ile LSAT. Your only true T14 shots are at Berkeley and Cornell.

Depending on where you want to work, add some T30 safeties like WUSTL, BU, GW, etc.

I'm not a big fan of safeties. If you can't get into a school you would be 100% happy graduating from then you should retake. That's my philosophy anyway -- it isn't like law school is a fool proof investment these days.

AreJay711 wrote:

HeavenWood wrote:
Georgetown was a reach. You are below their 25 %ile LSAT. Your only true T14 shots are at Berkeley and Cornell.

Depending on where you want to work, add some T30 safeties like WUSTL, BU, GW, etc.

I'm not a big fan of safeties. If you can't get into a school you would be 100% happy graduating from then you should retake. That's my philosophy anyway -- it isn't like law school is a fool proof investment these days.

It all depends on how you view safeties. For me personally, there are reaches--schools you would kill to attend but know you won't get into, matches--schools you have a decent shot at (but nowhere near a guarantee), safeties--schools you would be satisfied with attending if everything else goes wrong, and super-safeties--schools you applied to out of rejection paranoia.

HeavenWood wrote:

Polybius wrote:The reason I ask is because I was recently "held" at Georgetown, which is putting some doubts into my mind about the rest of my cycle.

Georgetown was a reach. You are below their 25 %ile LSAT. Your only true T14 shots are at Berkeley and Cornell.

Depending on where you want to work, add some T30 safeties like WUSTL, BU, GW, etc.

OP has a shot at ED to UVA with a 3.85/167, assuming that GPA isn't rounded up.

AreJay711 wrote:

HeavenWood wrote:
Georgetown was a reach. You are below their 25 %ile LSAT. Your only true T14 shots are at Berkeley and Cornell.

Depending on where you want to work, add some T30 safeties like WUSTL, BU, GW, etc.

I'm not a big fan of safeties. If you can't get into a school you would be 100% happy graduating from then you should retake. That's my philosophy anyway -- it isn't like law school is a fool proof investment these days.

For me the safeties were the ones where I wanted to see how much money I could squeeze out of 'em. But my targets ponied up, so it didn't matter.

go for berkeley they love diversity and your record is filled with it.

Any GPA dominant school will take you, but for the cream of the crop you should aim for a higher LSAT.

Yes. Should apply outside of T-14. If you really want T-14 though, the answer is always the same: retake.

If you have the money to spend, apply everywhere you can.

This thread was dead wrong--as someone with almost identical stats. I'm glad I didn't take the harsh advice dispensed here.

neonx wrote:This thread was dead wrong--as someone with almost identical stats. I'm glad I didn't take the harsh advice dispensed here.

clearly you didn't read this thread.

And I'm willing to bet that it was less of your personality that shined through on your apps. and more of something else that got you accepted into Columbia and NYU and an all expense paid visit to UCLA. WITH A 167!!!!! BAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!! YEAH RIGHT!

.

OP probably has a good shot at Cornell.

neonx wrote:This thread was dead wrong--as someone with almost identical stats. I'm glad I didn't take the harsh advice dispensed here.

enthralling saga, home slice

HYP makes you better than all the other 3.85/167s.

NU will take you (if you have WE). Duke/Michigan/Penn are worth apps.

I'm sure you'll get T14.

Though if you take a year to work and you could retake for 170+ and be HYP+HYS.

Double Harvard is a total panty dropper - consider it.

plurilingue wrote:

well-hello-there wrote:

neonx wrote:This thread was dead wrong--as someone with almost identical stats. I'm glad I didn't take the harsh advice dispensed here.

clearly you didn't read this thread.

And I'm willing to bet that it was less of your personality that shined through on your apps. and more of something else that got you accepted into Columbia and NYU and an all expense paid visit to UCLA. WITH A 167!!!!! BAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!! YEAH RIGHT!

What?? neonx put together an excellent application and they liked it -- why is that so hard to believe?

^outed as neonx alt

xmrmckenziex wrote:These are only slightly "above-average" softs?

Maybe I have only read a small unrepresentative sample of law school applicants, but I think you are slightly discrediting yourself.

They are only above-average at the level at which OP is applying, not in general.