166 LSAT/3.0_ upward trend of 3.7ish - Vandy or Alabama? Forum

[EvanC]

Got my GPA as low as a 2.2 when UG, boosted it up from that to a 2.96 - after semester's over it'll be in the low 3.0's. Graduation, probably a 3.1. Taking the LSAT Saturday, been scoring mid-to-high 160s. Set up multiple seminars on Human Trafficking, lots of community work, etc - good outside work, leadership skills, excellent LORs, a lot of good softs. Assuming I get my high 160 LSAT, what're my chances at Vanderbilt and Alabama?

My trend is over 4 semesters, with 18 hrs, 16 hrs, 19 hrs, and 18 hrs respectively.

[dissonance1848]

You are out at Vandy. Shot at Bama. I am assuming 166 you stated. There is a huge difference between a 166 and 169 in terms of $$ and admissions chances, be as precise as possible.

[Grizz]

1. Upward trends don't really matter.
2. Your GPA will almost assuredly keep you out of Vandy no matter what your LSAT (Unless that GPA is for engineering). You will be put on WL and probably never get off. That's just how they roll.
3. Come back when you get an actual LSAT score to get chances for Bama. Idle speculation is idle.

[sissyclark]

Out at Vandy. Your GPA is just too low. Upward trends help if you're within the range. For example, you started off with a 2.9 your freshman year, then got almost all As, and then ended up with like a 3.5. Not if you have a 2.2, and then bring it to a 3.0

[EvanC]

I should have figured as much. Let's hope for a 170+ It sucks, though. I would have a much higher chance if I had just cared about college for the first three years. Meh. Hindsight is 20/20.