Top Law Schools

Was wondering what my chances were at the mid top 14. I got fee waivers from most so I applied. Not expecting much, but hope to be pleasantly surprised. While I am not a "URM" in the strict definition of the term, I am Cuban. I don't know how much this is going to help, but it definitely won't hurt. I wrote a decent PS and also wrote a DS. I know I want to practice in South Florida, so I have UF FSU and UM as my safeties. I was wondering if I should add any others to my list. All I have are those 3 safeties and 14 reaches. Would any school out of the T14 be better than UF for a job in south Florida?

UVA
Michigan
UCLA
USC
Berkley
NYU
Northwestern
Chicago
Duke
Texas
UPenn
FSU
UM
UF

Anyone?

rbarcelo9 wrote:Anyone?

Not good. GPA and LSAT are both too low. I'd retake - hit 170 and you're good. A 169 could get you Vandy, which is probably a pretty good bet for Florida if you can't get Duke or UVA.

I have pretty similar numbers, but a 166 on the lsat. imo your only real shot at the t14 is cornell, but i dont know how much the urm thing will matter.

I had very similar numbers, with some softs to add, and this is how my cycle played out: http://lawschoolnumbers.com/Shaggier1

Hm depends on your softs...i had same lsat and a 3.8 last year and got into Duke and UCLA...got waitlisted at a bunch of places too. I think a stronger PS would have helped.

Shaggier1 wrote:I had very similar numbers, with some softs to add, and this is how my cycle played out: http://lawschoolnumbers.com/Shaggier1

Mad props on B!

stratocophic wrote:

rbarcelo9 wrote:Anyone?

Not good. GPA and LSAT are both too low. I'd retake - hit 170 and you're good. A 169 could get you Vandy, which is probably a pretty good bet for Florida if you can't get Duke or UVA.

False. I am not happy about the negative nancies on this site.

I have similar numbers (one pt higher LSAT, .16 lower GPA) and have Michigan (and Cornell and WUSTL, which are not on your list) so far this cycle.

LSP gives you a decent (>=40%) chance everywhere except HYSCCN. But I don't trust LSP: I think it's over-optimistic.

Going by LSN, here's the numbers for T-14s:
http://berkeley.lawschoolnumbers.com/ap ... ,8&type=jd (Berkeley = not looking too good)
http://michigan.lawschoolnumbers.com/ap ... ,8&type=jd (Michigan = decent shot)
http://penn.lawschoolnumbers.com/applic ... ,8&type=jd (Penn = OUT)
http://northwestern.lawschoolnumbers.co ... ,8&type=jd (Northwestern = possible, provided solid WE)
http://uva.lawschoolnumbers.com/applica ... ,8&type=jd (UVA = probably out)
http://duke.lawschoolnumbers.com/applic ... ,8&type=jd (Duke = meh, not much of a chance)
http://cornell.lawschoolnumbers.com/app ... ,8&type=jd (Cornell = about 50% shot)
http://gulc.lawschoolnumbers.com/applic ... ,8&type=jd (Georgetown = decent shot)

I got bored before getting to the non T-14 schools on your list. But for T-14, Cornell is your best bet, and Georgetown and Michigan are possible (probably depending on softs). Duke and Berkeley are worth a shot.

Shaggier1 wrote:I had very similar numbers, with some softs to add, and this is how my cycle played out: http://lawschoolnumbers.com/Shaggier1

Great softs! congrats on B! Are you enjoying it there?
I contemplated applying to B, but chickened out. Figured it wasn't worth the pain of a rejection letter. Well, I chickened out on applying anywhere there was a significant chance of a rejection letter.

applepiecrust wrote:

stratocophic wrote:

rbarcelo9 wrote:Anyone?

Not good. GPA and LSAT are both too low. I'd retake - hit 170 and you're good. A 169 could get you Vandy, which is probably a pretty good bet for Florida if you can't get Duke or UVA.

False. I am not happy about the negative nancies on this site.

I have similar numbers (one pt higher LSAT, .16 lower GPA) and have Michigan (and Cornell and WUSTL, which are not on your list) so far this cycle.

LSP gives you a decent (>=40%) chance everywhere except HYSCCN. But I don't trust LSP: I think it's over-optimistic.

Going by LSN, here's the numbers for T-14s:
http://berkeley.lawschoolnumbers.com/ap ... ,8&type=jd (Berkeley = not looking too good)
http://michigan.lawschoolnumbers.com/ap ... ,8&type=jd (Michigan = decent shot)
http://penn.lawschoolnumbers.com/applic ... ,8&type=jd (Penn = OUT)
http://northwestern.lawschoolnumbers.co ... ,8&type=jd (Northwestern = possible, provided solid WE)
http://uva.lawschoolnumbers.com/applica ... ,8&type=jd (UVA = probably out)
http://duke.lawschoolnumbers.com/applic ... ,8&type=jd (Duke = meh, not much of a chance)
http://cornell.lawschoolnumbers.com/app ... ,8&type=jd (Cornell = about 50% shot)
http://gulc.lawschoolnumbers.com/applic ... ,8&type=jd (Georgetown = decent shot)

I got bored before getting to the non T-14 schools on your list. But for T-14, Cornell is your best bet, and Georgetown and Michigan are possible (probably depending on softs). Duke and Berkeley are worth a shot.

I fail to see where any of those stats suggest that OP's chances are better than 'not good.'There's a large difference between apps with a 3.8 and a 3.7x in all of those data samples. By all means apply, but don't expect a lot. 22 out of ~ 150 is not good.

stratocophic wrote:

applepiecrust wrote:

stratocophic wrote:

rbarcelo9 wrote:Anyone?

Not good. GPA and LSAT are both too low. I'd retake - hit 170 and you're good. A 169 could get you Vandy, which is probably a pretty good bet for Florida if you can't get Duke or UVA.

False. I am not happy about the negative nancies on this site.

I have similar numbers (one pt higher LSAT, .16 lower GPA) and have Michigan (and Cornell and WUSTL, which are not on your list) so far this cycle.

LSP gives you a decent (>=40%) chance everywhere except HYSCCN. But I don't trust LSP: I think it's over-optimistic.

Going by LSN, here's the numbers for T-14s:
http://berkeley.lawschoolnumbers.com/ap ... ,8&type=jd (Berkeley = not looking too good)
http://michigan.lawschoolnumbers.com/ap ... ,8&type=jd (Michigan = decent shot)
http://penn.lawschoolnumbers.com/applic ... ,8&type=jd (Penn = OUT)
http://northwestern.lawschoolnumbers.co ... ,8&type=jd (Northwestern = possible, provided solid WE)
http://uva.lawschoolnumbers.com/applica ... ,8&type=jd (UVA = probably out)
http://duke.lawschoolnumbers.com/applic ... ,8&type=jd (Duke = meh, not much of a chance)
http://cornell.lawschoolnumbers.com/app ... ,8&type=jd (Cornell = about 50% shot)
http://gulc.lawschoolnumbers.com/applic ... ,8&type=jd (Georgetown = decent shot)

I got bored before getting to the non T-14 schools on your list. But for T-14, Cornell is your best bet, and Georgetown and Michigan are possible (probably depending on softs). Duke and Berkeley are worth a shot.

I fail to see where any of those stats suggest that OP's chances are better than 'not good.'There's a large difference between apps with a 3.8 and a 3.7x in all of those data samples. By all means apply, but don't expect a lot. 22 out of ~ 150 is not good.

It just sounded more negative than a "you do have a solid shot, at some of the T-14 schools." Which the OP does (granted, mostly just at Cornell, but still).

applepiecrust wrote:

stratocophic wrote:

applepiecrust wrote:

stratocophic wrote:Not good. GPA and LSAT are both too low. I'd retake - hit 170 and you're good. A 169 could get you Vandy, which is probably a pretty good bet for Florida if you can't get Duke or UVA.

False. I am not happy about the negative nancies on this site.

I have similar numbers (one pt higher LSAT, .16 lower GPA) and have Michigan (and Cornell and WUSTL, which are not on your list) so far this cycle.

LSP gives you a decent (>=40%) chance everywhere except HYSCCN. But I don't trust LSP: I think it's over-optimistic.

Going by LSN, here's the numbers for T-14s:
http://berkeley.lawschoolnumbers.com/ap ... ,8&type=jd (Berkeley = not looking too good)
http://michigan.lawschoolnumbers.com/ap ... ,8&type=jd (Michigan = decent shot)
http://penn.lawschoolnumbers.com/applic ... ,8&type=jd (Penn = OUT)
http://northwestern.lawschoolnumbers.co ... ,8&type=jd (Northwestern = possible, provided solid WE)
http://uva.lawschoolnumbers.com/applica ... ,8&type=jd (UVA = probably out)
http://duke.lawschoolnumbers.com/applic ... ,8&type=jd (Duke = meh, not much of a chance)
http://cornell.lawschoolnumbers.com/app ... ,8&type=jd (Cornell = about 50% shot)
http://gulc.lawschoolnumbers.com/applic ... ,8&type=jd (Georgetown = decent shot)

I got bored before getting to the non T-14 schools on your list. But for T-14, Cornell is your best bet, and Georgetown and Michigan are possible (probably depending on softs). Duke and Berkeley are worth a shot.

I fail to see where any of those stats suggest that OP's chances are better than 'not good.'There's a large difference between apps with a 3.8 and a 3.7x in all of those data samples. By all means apply, but don't expect a lot. 22 out of ~ 150 is not good.

It just sounded more negative than a "you do have a solid shot, at some of the T-14 schools." Which the OP does (granted, mostly just at Cornell, but still).

Yeah, but he wants to go back to Florida after graduation, not NYC. OP'd be better off retaking and getting into Duke or UVA than going to Cornell, considering the preferred location. Relying on a < 1/7 chance (between 12-14%) to get into a T14 is not a solid shot.

If you dont get into anything better go to Texas. No shame in that, it should do real well for you in florida.

What about Emory and Vandy? Should I add them to my list? How does their reach compete with UF and UM in South Florida?

rbarcelo9 wrote:What about Emory and Vandy? Should I add them to my list? How does their reach compete with UF and UM in South Florida?

Definitely add Vandy. If you get in-state tuition at UF, I'd personally take that over Emory w/o near a full ride, but it might be worth the app if you have cash burning a hole in your pocket. I'd do Vandy over UT for Florida - it's rep is up there with Duke and UVA in that region.

stratocophic wrote:

rbarcelo9 wrote:What about Emory and Vandy? Should I add them to my list? How does their reach compete with UF and UM in South Florida?

Definitely add Vandy. If you get in-state tuition at UF, I'd personally take that over Emory w/o near a full ride, but it might be worth the app if you have cash burning a hole in your pocket. I'd do Vandy over UT for Florida - it's rep is up there with Duke and UVA in that region.

Thanks! Emailed Vandy asking for a fee waiver. I'm going to do the same for Emory and see if they'll give me a fee waiver.

rbarcelo9 wrote:What about Emory and Vandy? Should I add them to my list? How does their reach compete with UF and UM in South Florida?

Not sure about the job market in SF, but you're a shoo-in at Emory. Probably 50-50 odds or worse at Vandy; their medians are now 3.72/169.

.04 GPA and 2 or 3 LSAT points would give you an amazing shot, but with that bein said you still have a chance.

Just thought I'd update this thread for those in a similar situation. So far my cycle has gone better than expected! You can see all my decisions here:http://lawschoolnumbers.com/fsunole19/jd

Notable acceptances: Berkeley, Georgetown, UT, Vanderbilt

Good luck to everyone applying, planning to apply, or studying for the LSAT! There is hope!

rbarcelo9 wrote:Just thought I'd update this thread for those in a similar situation. So far my cycle has gone better than expected! You can see all my decisions here:http://lawschoolnumbers.com/fsunole19/jd

Notable acceptances: Berkeley, Georgetown, UT, Vanderbilt

Good luck to everyone applying, planning to apply, or studying for the LSAT! There is hope!

Congrats on the awesome cycle! Glad my pessimism was 100% wrong

First of all, CONGRATS! That's great news!

Second, I think OP is getting a little bump from the Cuban background. "Other Hispanic" if you will.

I applied late to Vandy and Cornell with 167/3.90. Maybe my super-late apps cancel our differences in GPA? I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks for the support! I still think I have one big shock left in my cycle! Crossing my finger for one of my BIG reaches! If not I've got a tough decision between UT, Georgetown, Berkeley, and Vandy (all at sticker as of right now).

In at UChicago!!! My cycle is pretty much over, unless there is a Harvard or Columbia acceptance in my future lol!

Congrats!