168, URM, 2.89 do I have a chance at anything? Forum

[Tainted_Praise]

Hey. Just curious if I have a shot at any law schools with these stats? Bi racial but claiming African American on my transcript. Just walked in graduation two days ago, and now found out that my professor gave me a 69%.....When you need a 70% to pass...Anyway. Should I just give up on law school? Go to a third tier? What should I do?

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Edited to add:

Sorry guys. I made a rookie mistake. I just calculated my LSAC GPA. It is at 2.89. That includes other grades from college courses I took while in high school as well. And My undergrad gpa scale is tougher than the lsac scale I just found out. So if I take summer classes I think I can bump it to 3.0 possibly?

[HyeMart]

youlll get t50 at least, t34 is likely

[Tainted_Praise]

youlll get t50 at least, t34 is likely

Even though I bombed this semester? B-, C, C-, D (that I have to retake this summer)

Do I have any shots at scholarships?

[tooswolle]

What kind of urm are you? The kind of urm will be the biggest contributing factor to admission as differnt ones are more recruited than others. I think your last semester transcript will give you problems since schools dislike downward trends an addendum might help. Best of luck.

[Tainted_Praise]

What kind of urm are you? The kind of urm will be the biggest contributing factor to admission as differnt ones are more recruited than others. I think your last semester transcript will give you problems since schools dislike downward trends an addendum might help. Best of luck.

African American. Will taking summer classes and acing them help with the downward trend?

[Flustercluck]

You're my numbers twin!

I got Northwestern

In other words, don't freak out.

Now the long version: I got NU with 3 years strong work exp, which it sounds like you don't have yet. That said, either way i'd recommend taking a year or two off to work and gain experience/prespective. If you did that, NU is possible (although retake with improvement to a170+ would make it much more likely).

Otherwise, T13 is out. Almost every other school has a GPA floor at 3.0 that is only broken in very rare circumstances, even for URMs. if you can delay graduation and move your GPA up by taking summer school classes do it, a URM with a 168 and GPA above 3.0 is gonna get at least one of the T13 (although probably with no money).

However if money's a big issue, I received 30k per year from UIUC, and probably was in line for similar from WashU. URM splitters are hard to predict because you can't tell whether you got GPA dinged or YPd, it just depends upon the schools (I was waitlisted by W & L). Honestly, apply early and apply broadly, and there's not reason you shouldn't hit T30, possibly with a decent amount of money from splitter friendly schools...

[thexfactor]

i see at least wustl in your future. Dont sell yourself short. Apply starting from Michshitgan down.

[Tainted_Praise]

Oh, thought that I should specify, I am not aiming for a Top 20...I am aiming for University of Maryland. They are ranked 42. Or American University, I believe that are ranked at 50 even

[HyeMart]

gw would give you money

[whirledpeas86]

Oh, thought that I should specify, I am not aiming for a Top 20...I am aiming for University of Maryland. They are ranked 42. Or American University, I believe that are ranked at 50 even

I think you may have set your goal too low (unless you have ties to UMD and want to practice in the area). I know non-URMs that were accepted into Georgetown and NU with sub-3.0 GPAs. If you're open to taking a year or two off and possibly retaking and putting together a tight application packet, I think you could have a shot at T20 (with money) and possibly T14.

[kublaikahn]

.

[JamMasterJ]

Oh, thought that I should specify, I am not aiming for a Top 20...I am aiming for University of Maryland. They are ranked 42. Or American University, I believe that are ranked at 50 even

Too low. Aim higher. GWU, WUSTL, W&M at least.

+1

[Tainted_Praise]

Plan on moving to Maryland/DC Area with my fiance. Hence my ties to Maryland....GWU was definitely high on my list.. But I didn't want to get my hopes up. I'm thinking of retaking a third time... Seeing if I can crack 170

[kublaikahn]

.

[Flustercluck]

Oh, thought that I should specify, I am not aiming for a Top 20...I am aiming for University of Maryland. They are ranked 42. Or American University, I believe that are ranked at 50 even

Too low. Aim higher. GWU, WUSTL, W&M at least.

+1

+1

Also, seriously consider doing GULC early decision.

[Tainted_Praise]

Oh, thought that I should specify, I am not aiming for a Top 20...I am aiming for University of Maryland. They are ranked 42. Or American University, I believe that are ranked at 50 even

Too low. Aim higher. GWU, WUSTL, W&M at least.

+1

+1

Also, seriously consider doing GULC early decision.

Sorry guys. I made a rookie mistake. I just calculated my LSAC GPA. It is at 2.89. That includes other grades from college courses I took while in high school as well. And My undergrad gpa scale is tougher than the lsac scale I just found out. So if I take summer classes I think I can bump it to 3.0 possibly?

[Flustercluck]

Sorry guys. I made a rookie mistake. I just calculated my LSAC GPA. It is at 2.89. That includes other grades from college courses I took while in high school as well. And My undergrad gpa scale is tougher than the lsac scale I just found out. So if I take summer classes I think I can bump it to 3.0 possibly?

Not sure, depends on how many units/credits you're dealing with here, but seriously, do whatever you can to move your GPA up to 3.0. That could be a huge difference in terms of $$$, even gtown would likely throw something your way.

[JamMasterJ]

Sorry guys. I made a rookie mistake. I just calculated my LSAC GPA. It is at 2.89. That includes other grades from college courses I took while in high school as well. And My undergrad gpa scale is tougher than the lsac scale I just found out. So if I take summer classes I think I can bump it to 3.0 possibly?

You should be able to if you take enough classes. I know I went from 3.35 to 3.46 in one semester and up to 3.53 the next semester. the lower your gpa, the easier it is to raise. Above 3.0 will be huge for your chances at many schools with gpa floors

[northwood]

IF you graduated- and you have satisfied all of your requirements( and the degree is granted) then you cant do anything about that gpa. if your degree isnt granted ( but you walked because you only needed one more class) then you have some time to boost your gpa- but it might not be a lot.

Focus on the test- and apply as broadly as possible depending on your lsat score.

[CoriOlivia]

I think that 69 may have been a blessing in disguise to give you the summer to get your GPA up before you officially graduate. I would study as hard as you can for a retake but do not let your classes suffer - get 4/5 more As over the summer to break the 3.0 mark.

[Tainted_Praise]

Okay. So it seems that the smart thing to do, would be to take summer classes and attempt to boost my gpa to a 3.0 Also some suggested retaking the lsat which I will be doing. But now, I have another question. I'll only be able to take two courses during the summer. I want to apply to my schools in September. Should I wait to apply and just take more classes in the fall semester and wait until December to apply?

[CoriOlivia]

Okay. So it seems that the smart thing to do, would be to take summer classes and attempt to boost my gpa to a 3.0 Also some suggested retaking the lsat which I will be doing. But now, I have another question. I'll only be able to take two courses during the summer. I want to apply to my schools in September. Should I wait to apply and just take more classes in the fall semester and wait until December to apply?

Well, there's no way 6 hours can bring it above a 3.0 if you alreay have 120hrs or more(which I'm assuming you do since you thought you were graduating). I honestly don't know what is better - to get your GPA to the 3 line or to apply as early as possible because your GPA is low... Maybe someone else here will know enough to tell you which will give you better luck.

[ahduth]

Just walked in graduation two days ago

Your GPA is now final. No additional coursework will change it.

[CoriOlivia]

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