HYS URM, 3.1 gpa, 178 LSAT Forum

[HYSchick]

I have an upwards trend gpa. I did very poorly my first 2 years. Not making up excuses but worked 2 part-time jobs. My major is Electrical Engineering (switched from Mechanical junior year). Took 3 classes at a local University of California and one at a community college, not sure if this will look bad.
Should I wait until I graduate, and probably graduate with a higher GPA.
I'm a URM: Hispanic female.
Softs: Founder and President of an organization, VP of another one, community service, nothing special.

I'm only interested in t14 schools, otherwise will end up working in tech field.
Any insights are greatly appreciated!

[unc0mm0n1]

I have an upwards trend gpa. I did very poorly my first 2 years. Not making up excuses but worked 2 part-time jobs. My major is Electrical Engineering (switched from Mechanical junior year). Took 3 classes at a local University of California and one at a community college, not sure if this will look bad.
Should I wait until I graduate, and probably graduate with a higher GPA.
I'm a URM: Hispanic female.
Softs: Founder and President of an organization, VP of another one, community service, nothing special.

I'm only interested in t14 schools, otherwise will end up working in tech field.
Any insights are greatly appreciated!

Can you postpone graduation? If you can you should take a like 60 Credit hours at a community college to boost that GPA up.

[HYSchick]

I already took a semester off to work and save money so I wouldn't have to work 2 jobs. I don't know how adcoms will see me taking another break from undergrad. Do you think taking classes at a community college this summer is a good idea?

[unc0mm0n1]

I already took a semester off to work and save money so I wouldn't have to work 2 jobs. I don't know how adcoms will see me taking another break from undergrad. Do you think taking classes at a community college this summer is a good idea?

Adcoms care about medians. But if graduate then your lsac GPA is done. If you haven't graduated all your cc classes count. THe Adcoms don't care where you went to undergrad. They'd feel a lot better if you were a 3.6 with a ton of CC credits than a 3.1 with 6 CC credits.

[bdubs]

You shouldn't be concerned about getting into a T14. You will certainly get into a number of T14 as an hispanic with a 178 and a degree in EE from a top UG. Are you MA, PR, or other hispanic?

[vanwinkle]

You shouldn't be concerned about getting into a T14. You will certainly get into a number of T14 as an hispanic with a 178 and a degree in EE from a top UG. Are you MA, PR, or other hispanic?

This. You should definitely consider graduating before applying for two reasons: Making sure your last year of classes count toward your GPA will increase it and help show an upward trend, and if you can get a year or two of work experience it will make you stand out more. The top law schools are looking for students with WE more and more.

I will tell you that you should apply everywhere, when you do apply. As a URM with WE and a 178 LSAT I think you literally have a shot everywhere. (WE helps establish maturity and reinforces that you're much more capable and experienced now than your first 1-2 years of college.)

Good luck.

[HYSchick]

You shouldn't be concerned about getting into a T14. You will certainly get into a number of T14 as an hispanic with a 178 and a degree in EE from a top UG. Are you MA, PR, or other hispanic?

I'm MA

[bdubs]

You shouldn't be concerned about getting into a T14. You will certainly get into a number of T14 as an hispanic with a 178 and a degree in EE from a top UG. Are you MA, PR, or other hispanic?

I'm MA

You will do very well, MA anecdotally get the among the largest URM boosts for hispanics. I would take Vanwinkle's advice and work for at least a year. As an EE major from a top school I would imagine you will have quite a few good options.