Top Law Schools

GPA: 3.1 (chemical engineering major)
LSAT: 180 (was a retake though, 175 the first time)
Softs: 2 years work experience; I'd like to say good softs, but realistically they're probably average
Undergrad: Top 25
Non-URM.

UCLA is my No. 1 choice.

What are my chances there? I've heard UCLA is a GPA whore and I know my GPA is low for them. I checked LawSchoolNumbers and they don't seem too keen on sub-3.5 GPAs. There aren't many people with similar profiles as me though... I'm hoping my LSAT will offset the bad GPA.

Chances?

Do I have any shot at $$$ from them? I'm guessing probably not.

Would ED-ing make a big difference?

1. flame
2. you can do better than ucla

If not flame, with a 180 anything can happen, but your GPA will hurt you especially at UCLA. As I'm writing this I'm starting to think flame...

Why are people calling this a flame.

http://lawschoolnumbers.com/Woozy/jd

I'd try to mimic this guy.

Though if I were you I'd through an ED app to NYU, and regular apps to CC, Michigan and Penn. Then write a really good why UCLA optional essay.

NOT a flame. On LSN, the high-LSAT low-GPA splitters are mostly getting wait-listed at UCLA. Can't tell if they ended up getting in.

I know I have better chances at some higher-ranking splitter-friendly schools, but I prefer UCLA.

Sorry about the flame, you never know these days. Do a good job explaining your GPA and you will put yourself in a good position.

Congrats on retaking the 175 and 180ing the sucker. Bold move, I bet you're a confident individual and I hope that shows well in your applications!

Chem engineering + pretty solid undergrad school is a pretty good combo that makes a 3.1 not look so bad. I'm not trying to quantify a qualitative idea, but that 3.1 probably is viewed a little bit "higher".

Any upward grade trend at all? Also helpful.

Put together a good application, and I can definitely see you getting accepted at UCLA. Mainly because I think your splitter situation might be a little different (read: better) than those on LSN.

Pretty much all California schools are unfriendly to splitters. I'd say the odds are against you even with a 180. With your major, though, it's probably not impossible.

Nevertheless, you can get into virtually every school in the Midwest with that score, and probably NYU on down on the East Coast. Simply preferring UCLA is not a good reason to turn down the much better opportunities you will get elsewhere.

JCougar wrote:Pretty much all California schools are unfriendly to splitters. I'd say the odds are against you even with a 180. With your major, though, it's probably not impossible.

Nevertheless, you can get into virtually every school in the Midwest with that score, and probably NYU on down on the East Coast. Simply preferring UCLA is not a good reason to turn down the much better opportunities you will get elsewhere.

This

BUT its your decision, and if you have your heart set on UCLA for some unknown reason, then apply ED.

BUT an ED could also get you into UVA/NU/NYU(maybe)

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

I prefer UCLA for personal reasons (love LA, friends + SO here), but realistically might end up going elsewhere.

temporary wrote:Thanks for the feedback everyone.

I prefer UCLA for personal reasons (love LA, friends + SO here), but realistically might end up going elsewhere.

If you have to go elsewhere, keep in mind that you might be able to get a ton of $$ from NU. They are splitter friendly and like work experience.

Chances at getting significant $$$ from other T14-T6 schools? Or Texas or Fordham?

temporary wrote:Chances at getting significant $$$ from other T14-T6 schools? Or Texas or Fordham?

Low. Nobody is going to pay for that 3.1.

Ok not sounding like a total lame I'm pretty new on here, what does flame mean and TTT? help without calling me names

temporary wrote:Chances at getting significant $$$ from other T14-T6 schools? Or Texas or Fordham?

Texas may be even more unfriendly to splitters than California schools. I think Fordham is similar.

Your chances of getting a scholarship at any school higher than WUSTL are pretty non-existent.

johnnyutah wrote:

temporary wrote:Thanks for the feedback everyone.

I prefer UCLA for personal reasons (love LA, friends + SO here), but realistically might end up going elsewhere.

If you have to go elsewhere, keep in mind that you might be able to get a ton of $$ from NU. They are splitter friendly and like work experience.

Northwestern may admit splitters, but they don't pay for them. OP won't get any money from Northwestern.

JCougar wrote:

johnnyutah wrote:

temporary wrote:Thanks for the feedback everyone.

I prefer UCLA for personal reasons (love LA, friends + SO here), but realistically might end up going elsewhere.

If you have to go elsewhere, keep in mind that you might be able to get a ton of $$ from NU. They are splitter friendly and like work experience.

Northwestern may admit splitters, but they don't pay for them. OP won't get any money from Northwestern.

Yep OP will get zero dollars from NU.

OP might get a 3/4 ride at UIUC, and some half rides at other midwestern schools like WUSTL, Minn, Iowa, Indiana.

If OP really wants California work I might ED to Michigan.