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Im gonna ask the same question as everyone else. My undergrad GPA(3.0) is from a public IVY(whatever that means) in engineering. I graduated with over 160 hrs and over 40 physics hrs(which f***ed my gpa), I took the LSAT once and made a 161, I have a masters in a very competitive medical science with a gpa of 3.6.

I was a member of several clubs and president of another for over 3 years. I have a lot of volunteering and I have owned my own business(not successful but oh well). I am half Iranian and the other half is a mix between white and Cuban. Also, I am interested in Patent law

I have applied to
Florida
Florida St
Cincy
Pitt
Denver
Depaul
Marquette

I am going to apply to
Hofstra,
Brooklyn
Iowa
Syracuse

Maybe Richmond and Colorado


So do I have a shot at any of these or should I aim lower

Sorry I can't add much in terms of predictions, but when I first read this thread title, I thought it said "engineer undergrad gpa 3.0 grandpa 3.6 LSAT 161" hahaha

haha actually I just glanced at it and thought the same

Retake that LSAT and do better.

Desert Fox wrote:Retake that LSAT and do better.

I was going to but I can't till Feb and I kind of have to start this fall.

according to LSAC predictor I stand a pretty good shot at a few of those schools like Marquette, Pitt, FSU and Hofstra. Does anyone know how accurate the LSAC predicator is?

Based on speaking with a number of admission reps from non- T14 schools, it depends on how long you have been out of school. If you went to grad school right after college and don't have any significant work experience, your undergrad gpa and LSAT will rule. From what I have heard, the longer you are out of school doing significant work, the less your college GPA will be used. I don't know, however, what a T 14 admission's officer would have said.

The real question is "how much will they discount the GPA if you have significant work experience?" No one seems to be willing to answer that question.

taxguy wrote:Based on speaking with a number of admission reps from non- T14 schools, it depends on how long you have been out of school. If you went to grad school right after college and don't have any significant work experience, your undergrad gpa and LSAT will rule. From what I have heard, the longer you are out of school doing significant work, the less your college GPA will be used. I don't know, however, what a T 14 admission's officer would have said.

The real question is "how much will they discount the GPA if you have significant work experience?" No one seems to be willing to answer that question.

conventional wisdom says not much because at the end of the day undergrad gpa is what gets reported to us news. schools vary in regards to this though. NU is the prime example of valuing WE.

FuManChusco wrote:

taxguy wrote:Based on speaking with a number of admission reps from non- T14 schools, it depends on how long you have been out of school. If you went to grad school right after college and don't have any significant work experience, your undergrad gpa and LSAT will rule. From what I have heard, the longer you are out of school doing significant work, the less your college GPA will be used. I don't know, however, what a T 14 admission's officer would have said.

The real question is "how much will they discount the GPA if you have significant work experience?" No one seems to be willing to answer that question.

conventional wisdom says not much because at the end of the day undergrad gpa is what gets reported to us news. schools vary in regards to this though. NU is the prime example of valuing WE.

And they'll say GTFO without a 170.

Desert Fox wrote:

FuManChusco wrote:

taxguy wrote:Based on speaking with a number of admission reps from non- T14 schools, it depends on how long you have been out of school. If you went to grad school right after college and don't have any significant work experience, your undergrad gpa and LSAT will rule. From what I have heard, the longer you are out of school doing significant work, the less your college GPA will be used. I don't know, however, what a T 14 admission's officer would have said.

The real question is "how much will they discount the GPA if you have significant work experience?" No one seems to be willing to answer that question.

conventional wisdom says not much because at the end of the day undergrad gpa is what gets reported to us news. schools vary in regards to this though. NU is the prime example of valuing WE.

And they'll say GTFO without a 170.

most definitely. my point was, this is a difficult question to answer as there's really no right answer. top schools are a definite no with a 161 though. since OP can't retake until February, I would suggest applying next cycle.

If I wanted to stay in this cycle do I stand a shot with any of the schools that I listed? Its kind of stupid to ask now because I have already applied, so all I can do is wait.

Gatorbull84 wrote:

Desert Fox wrote:Retake that LSAT and do better.

I was going to but I can't till Feb and I kind of have to start this fall.

Why do you have to start this fall?

Gatorbull84 wrote:according to LSAC predictor I stand a pretty good shot at a few of those schools like Marquette, Pitt, FSU and Hofstra. Does anyone know how accurate the LSAC predicator is?

id be very surprised if u didn't get $ to hofstra.

I would also recommend sitting out a cycle if you can't retake till feb. But if that truly isn't an option you should send apps out to all the schools with no app fees in the top 100. With little financial investment you can increase your odds and options . These schools include: Illinois, w&l, George mason, Utah, case western, Baylor, Brooklyn, Loyola chicago, Chicago Kent, u of the pacific and William Mitchell. Best of luck!

Edited due to fat fingers & little phone... (typos) again.

Thanks guys. The only reason I can't wait a year is because I have already lost a lot of time since undergrad and I can't afford to continuing working the same crappy job making no money and living at my parents home. I really can't lose another year. I guess I don't have to tell any of you, but the job market sucks.

Gatorbull84 wrote:Thanks guys. The only reason I can't wait a year is because I have already lost a lot of time since undergrad and I can't afford to continuing working the same crappy job making no money and living at my parents home. I really can't lose another year. I guess I don't have to tell any of you, but the job market sucks.

Better living with them now that after law school.

Gatorbull84 wrote:Thanks guys. The only reason I can't wait a year is because I have already lost a lot of time since undergrad and I can't afford to continuing working the same crappy job making no money and living at my parents home. I really can't lose another year. I guess I don't have to tell any of you, but the job market sucks.

yeah, it does. you realize the job market in the legal field isn't doing too hot either. coming from these schools, there's no guarantee you'll get a good job and then you'll just be in loads of debt on top of your current problems. another year is a small price to pay if you think you can improve your lsat a decent amount. some of those schools do reasonably well in their regions, but I definitely wouldn't pay sticker and I think improving your lsat and applying early next cycle is your best bet. just don't sell yourself short.

Desert Fox wrote:

Gatorbull84 wrote:Thanks guys. The only reason I can't wait a year is because I have already lost a lot of time since undergrad and I can't afford to continuing working the same crappy job making no money and living at my parents home. I really can't lose another year. I guess I don't have to tell any of you, but the job market sucks.

Better living with them now that after law school.

Listen to this man.

Don't let your entire career (and really the rest of your life) be determined by what you want to do over the next year. After college, I moved back in with my parents and worked several crappy jobs. At 27, I took a promotion that delayed my applying to law school by a year. I'll be in my early 30s when I graduate. I get what you're saying, but if waiting one year means applying to a law school that might enable you to pay back your loans, then make the short-term sacrifice now for the long-term gains later.

Ya, I agree with you guys but I am really in tough spot and I don't see my job prospects get any better anytime soon.


Out of curiosity does anyone how the job market is with IP law?

Gatorbull84 wrote:Ya, I agree with you guys but I am really in tough spot and I don't see my job prospects get any better anytime soon.


Out of curiosity does anyone how the job market is with IP law?

It's good, but not go to Hofstra at sticker good.

Desert Fox wrote:

Gatorbull84 wrote:Thanks guys. The only reason I can't wait a year is because I have already lost a lot of time since undergrad and I can't afford to continuing working the same crappy job making no money and living at my parents home. I really can't lose another year. I guess I don't have to tell any of you, but the job market sucks.

Better living with them now that after law school.

lol. valid point, but if he was born in 84 as his name suggests, he's 26. living at home at 26 can be rough. living at home as a 30 yr old lawyer, though, would be definitively worse.

I forgot to add that I applied to Iowa and Santa Clara. Im also considering applying to Albany. If anyone can recommend other schools that I would be competitive at I would really appreciate it. Im aiming for patent law