Top Law Schools

Hey everyone,

I've been browsing this site and have found great resources and advice, but I was wondering if a few of you could offer your suggestions on my chances of acceptance to a Top 50 law school. I will be applying as early as possible in the 2012 cycle and have decent softs. My GPA is unfortunately a 3.04 (3.35) and I scored a 171 on the LSAT. I'm a little discouraged since my goal is to work in biglaw, which I've heard get most of their associates from Top 14 institutions, so I'm also curious how often people transfer to those schools. I'm not sure if an upward grade trend helps, but I averaged a 3.7+ my last year. I am African American and Native American and attended a mid-upper UC school (California Resident). I intend on writing a GPA Addendum to explain how my poor health (a rare, serious illness I was battling for years) affected my GPA. In addition, I was wondering if certain schools are known for certain specialties - I am very interested in International Law and Native American law. I appreciate any responses.

Apply to every T14 + some lower ranked schools you would be happy with.

Wait for $$$$.

Profit.

Yeah, your strong lsat score plus super-URM status will definitely bode well. you're set for T50 and as the poster above me said, good chances for t14 as well.
idk about those specialties, but you should go to the best school you can and don't worry about "concentrating" in a subject.

Thank you both for your responses. What about my chances at UCLA or USC? I'm assuming that the T14 will be my reach schools, due to my GPA, so any suggestions for schools I should consider below the T14? Also, after reading about UCI in the paper the other day, the school seems like an attractive option. Is it possible to estimate my chances of acceptance at UCI?

You are almost guaranteed to get multiple T10 acceptances. Your reaches should be CCN and HYS.

polaris769 wrote:You are almost guaranteed to get multiple T10 acceptances. Your reaches should be CCN and HYS.

I agree! You have a pretty good chance at getting into HYS. Def T25 with $$$$$

jurisdoc711 wrote:Thank you both for your responses. What about my chances at UCLA or USC? I'm assuming that the T14 will be my reach schools, due to my GPA, so any suggestions for schools I should consider below the T14? Also, after reading about UCI in the paper the other day, the school seems like an attractive option. Is it possible to estimate my chances of acceptance at UCI?

As others have said, you will almost definitely get T14, but you might be surprised with a ding at UCLA and USC because of California schools' strong prefs for high GPAs. Even with your URM status, you might be denied

Thanks again everyone. You all have been very helpful. Here's my list of schools - I added some "safeties" in California since I am a resident.

All of the T14 (would love Columbia, Chicago, Boalt, Michigan, Penn or Cornell)
UCLA
USC
UCI
UC Davis
Fordham
Notre Dame
Hastings
Loyola
Pepperdine

Add more to my list?

Are there any other regional schools I should consider in the California (LA, SD or SF areas), Chicago or New York areas that have good job prospects? Any suggestions on what I should do during my year off that may give me a slight boost on my application?

You should follow the advice offered above & expect to do well.

Columbia is strong for International Law. Colorado & New Mexico offer serious Native American Law programs. New Mexico has a summer program for Native American students headed to law school. Cost is in the $2000+ range, but many tribes pay the tuition & fees for enrolled members.

Thank you for your responses. I will definitely take all of your advice. Just a few last questions. I have always wanted to attend the University of Michigan, so Michigan Law is my dream school. What would you say are my chances of acceptance if I apply as early as possible, write a Why Michigan statement, etc.? Does it help if I have family ties to Michigan and the university (cousins went there)? Also, does applying to a dual program help, hinder or have no bearing on my acceptance to the law school?

jurisdoc711 wrote:Thanks again everyone. You all have been very helpful. Here's my list of schools - I added some "safeties" in California since I am a resident.

All of the T14 (would love Columbia, Chicago, Boalt, Michigan, Penn or Cornell)
UCLA
USC
UCI
UC Davis
Fordham
Notre Dame
Hastings
Loyola
Pepperdine

Add more to my list?

As a URM, for you a safety would be Hastings. Loyola and Pepperdine should be off. You can't negotiate more $ at better schools with them, and if you only get in there, it means you should reapply.

jurisdoc711 wrote:Thank you for your responses. I will definitely take all of your advice. Just a few last questions. I have always wanted to attend the University of Michigan, so Michigan Law is my dream school. What would you say are my chances of acceptance if I apply as early as possible, write a Why Michigan statement, etc.? Does it help if I have family ties to Michigan and the university (cousins went there)? Also, does applying to a dual program help, hinder or have no bearing on my acceptance to the law school?

I'd ED there. Your 3.04 is pretty low. ED will get you in, and then you'll be where you wanna be.

flexityflex86 wrote:

jurisdoc711 wrote:Thank you for your responses. I will definitely take all of your advice. Just a few last questions. I have always wanted to attend the University of Michigan, so Michigan Law is my dream school. What would you say are my chances of acceptance if I apply as early as possible, write a Why Michigan statement, etc.? Does it help if I have family ties to Michigan and the university (cousins went there)? Also, does applying to a dual program help, hinder or have no bearing on my acceptance to the law school?

I'd ED there. Your 3.04 is pretty low. ED will get you in, and then you'll be where you wanna be.

No.

Don't ED anywhere. You have a good chance at Michigan if you put together a good application. I don't think having family ties helps improve your chances of admission, and from what I understand about other dual-degree programs, you have to independently get into both schools. So in that sense, it should have minimal effect, if any, on your acceptance to the law school.

But again, no URM with a score above 170 should ED anywhere.

jkay wrote:Apply to every T14 + some lower ranked schools you would be happy with.

Wait for $$$$.

This.

Do you have any regions of interest besides California?

CaseClosed wrote: You have a pretty good chance at getting into HYS

I think this is probably an overstatement.