Top Law Schools

Hey All,

I have been trying to avoid playing this game, but as I wait for responses from schools, I can't help myself. I'm just wondering where people think I have a shot at and where I might be able to get some money.

-3.60 at BostonU (environmental science and political science majors)
-164 and 166 LSATs
-Founded a volunteer program and managed two others during college
-Won prestigious Community Service award at graduation
-Masters Degree in Special Education (3.94 GPA)
-Teach for America Corps Member in NYC (2 years teaching experience)
-Great recommendations and a solid essay (I think anyway)

School's I've applied to...
-NYU (early decision)
-Columbia
-Fordham
-Cardozo
-BC
-BU
-Georgetown
-GW
-American
-Cornell
-UPenn

I know Columbia/NYU/UPenn/Cornell are real reaches, but I got fee waivers for my TFA status. Any other schools that I should apply to that might be a good fit?

Thanks! I'll respond to a few other posters for Karma's sake

I had a 3.7/166 when I applied a couple years ago. So our cycles should be similar. However, I think the TFA thing is a great soft, so that might more than compensate for any differences in our GPAs.

Of the schools you applied to, I got into BU with 25k/yr, BC with 20k/yr, GW with 15k/yr, Fordham with 20k/yr.

Waitlisted at NYU and Cornell. And rejected everywhere else.

Thanks for the reply! I would be more than happy with offers like those from BU/BC/Fordham. Ultimately, I want to be in NYC so I'm really hoping that Fordham comes through.

out at all T14 and GW
50/50 at BU, Fordham
in at BC
in at Cardozo with big $
WL at American (YP)

I'd add W&M, George Mason, and Brooklyn to the list.

kams wrote:I had a 3.7/166 when I applied a couple years ago. So our cycles should be similar. However, I think the TFA thing is a great soft, so that might more than compensate for any differences in our GPAs.

Of the schools you applied to, I got into BU with 25k/yr, BC with 20k/yr, GW with 15k/yr, Fordham with 20k/yr.

Waitlisted at NYU and Cornell. And rejected everywhere else.

Those numbers are almost certainly going to get you rejected at NYU, not WL, and possibly at Cornell as well(although you might sneak onto a WL). That being said BC certainly looks good, and BU/Fordham should be doable depending on the strength of the rest of your app (which looks good) and the competition in the applicant pool this year.

Thanks again for the feedback.

I'm hoping for some kind of miracle with NYU, but if not, I think I'd be happy at Fordham/BC/BU (I've visited all three and was impressed).

Does anyone know about the chances of transferring to a school like NYU after doing well at Fordham for a year? I know it's impossible to predict, but I plan on killing myself during year one and getting great grades. Is there a certain class ranking you need to be a realistic transfer candidate?

IsleMet wrote:Thanks again for the feedback.

I'm hoping for some kind of miracle with NYU, but if not, I think I'd be happy at Fordham/BC/BU (I've visited all three and was impressed).

Does anyone know about the chances of transferring to a school like NYU after doing well at Fordham for a year? I know it's impossible to predict, but I plan on killing myself during year one and getting great grades. Is there a certain class ranking you need to be a realistic transfer candidate?

At least top 10% of your class. But if you are top 10% of your class at Fordham you might as well stay since biglaw is pretty much guaranteed.

NYU (early decision): Out
Columbia: Out
Fordham: 50/50
Cardozo: In
BC: In
BU: 50/50
Georgetown: Unlikely
GW: 50/50
American: In
Cornell: 50/50
UPenn: Unlikely

Dr. Strangelove wrote:NYU (early decision): Out
Columbia: Out
Fordham: 50/50
Cardozo: In
BC: In
BU: 50/50
Georgetown: Unlikely
GW: 50/50
American: In
Cornell: 50/50
UPenn: Unlikely

http://cornell.lawschoolnumbers.com/app ... ,8&type=jd

im_blue wrote:

Dr. Strangelove wrote:NYU (early decision): Out
Columbia: Out
Fordham: 50/50
Cardozo: In
BC: In
BU: 50/50
Georgetown: Unlikely
GW: 50/50
American: In
Cornell: 50/50
UPenn: Unlikely

http://cornell.lawschoolnumbers.com/app ... ,8&type=jd

*shrug*
Could happen.
Cornell's 25th percentile LSAT is only a 165- meaning they accept plenty of people with 166 or lower.. maybe with higher than a 3.6 GPA but still I think OP has a shot at Cornell.

Dr. Strangelove wrote:

im_blue wrote:

Dr. Strangelove wrote:NYU (early decision): Out
Columbia: Out
Fordham: 50/50
Cardozo: In
BC: In
BU: 50/50
Georgetown: Unlikely
GW: 50/50
American: In
Cornell: 50/50
UPenn: Unlikely

http://cornell.lawschoolnumbers.com/app ... ,8&type=jd

*shrug*
Could happen.
Cornell's 25th percentile LSAT is only a 165- meaning they accept plenty of people with 166 or lower.. maybe with higher than a 3.6 GPA but still I think OP has a shot at Cornell.

Their 25th is a 166 actually.

whymeohgodno wrote:

Dr. Strangelove wrote:

im_blue wrote:

Dr. Strangelove wrote:NYU (early decision): Out
Columbia: Out
Fordham: 50/50
Cardozo: In
BC: In
BU: 50/50
Georgetown: Unlikely
GW: 50/50
American: In
Cornell: 50/50
UPenn: Unlikely

http://cornell.lawschoolnumbers.com/app ... ,8&type=jd

*shrug*
Could happen.
Cornell's 25th percentile LSAT is only a 165- meaning they accept plenty of people with 166 or lower.. maybe with higher than a 3.6 GPA but still I think OP has a shot at Cornell.

Their 25th is a 166 actually.

With a median and 75th of 168, there is evidence that Cornell is pushing hard to up its medians.

With a median and 75th of 168, evidence that Cornell is pushing hard to up its medians.

I'm hoping that it's unlikely that Cornell will raise it's medians to a 169 this year since their 75th last year was a 168 as well.

whymeohgodno wrote:

With a median and 75th of 168, evidence that Cornell is pushing hard to up its medians.

I'm hoping that it's unlikely that Cornell will raise it's medians to a 169 this year since their 75th last year was a 168 as well.

This cycle will be a tricky one. Fewer people are applying, but according to the LSAC, more applications are being sent out. This will probably greatly affect the medians at some schools, while leaving others relatively untouched.

HeavenWood wrote:

whymeohgodno wrote:

With a median and 75th of 168, evidence that Cornell is pushing hard to up its medians.

I'm hoping that it's unlikely that Cornell will raise it's medians to a 169 this year since their 75th last year was a 168 as well.

This cycle will be a tricky one. Fewer people are applying, but according to the LSAC, more applications are being sent out. This will probably greatly affect the medians at some schools, while leaving others relatively untouched.

Wait what? Fewer people applying but more applications...so more people are applying to a wider range of schools but less people are applying than last year?

Hmmm...Cornell will probably be swamped by apps this year also since it is the easiest t14 numbers wise to get into.

Hopefully that means more people get in off of the wait list! (I was left in wait list purgatory when I applied two years ago before I decided to join Teach for America so I'm expecting the same this time)