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That GPA is going to hurt you with regards to CCN. I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer, but Columbia is out, NYU is out (they have the finickiest policy on multiple LSATs), and Chicago is an outside stretch, since it tends to be more GPA oriented than the other two. If CCN is really desired, I'd ED UChicago. Moving on to MVP, pick between MP. Unless you are a Virginian resident, you have virtually no chance at UVA. M is more likely through regular decision than P, since P is also known to be GPA sticklers (not including ED applicants). Berkeley is an outside shot. They love GPAs and slightly underemphasize the LSAT, compared to its peers. Because of that, you need an early applicationto Berkeley, great recommendations (from people who can appreciate your individual value), as well as a powerful PS. Berkeley can be a black box at times, not unlike Stanford, but nowhere near as mysterious. UCLA is similar to Berkeley in that it pays more attention to GPA than the LSAT. USC is the most likely California school that is ranked in the T20. UCD should be good as well, with money I'd presume.


For Cali: YS -> H -> B-CCN (Berkeley will have an edge) -> MVP-UCLA-USC -> DNCG. (My approximation, other readers please fix this.)

CCN = Easiest mobility to California outside of HYS and California schools in the T20. Chicago notably sends a sizable chunk to Cali (and NY) each year. I think only 35% of their class actually stays in Chicago.

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Sheehan wrote:booboo, thanks so much for the advice!

I didn't realize that UCLA/USC would be boosted all the way to the levels of MVP due to my Cali preference. That is really interesting (and good to hear given that I should hopefully be able to get into at least one of those given the fair likelihood that Chicago/Boalt and all of MVP could fall through).

Be careful with that realization. I only place it on equitable level because of placement power for BigLaw. Note that UCLA and USC have approximately 30%-35% BigLaw, while MVP is around 50%. You need to weight maximizing BigLaw chances versus Cali prospects.

Sheehan wrote:Overall based on your advice, I'm thinking that I might apply ED Day 1 to U Chicago, and unless I have somehow already been accepted there, then apply to Berkeley on day one of their application release. I saw that Berkeley will accept a Resume and a tailored 4-Page PS, which I definitely plan on submitting, and that could possibly help if they really are 1/3 LSAT, 1/3 GPA, and 1/3 Softs.

You won't find out about UChicago until the end of December, and Berkeley is pretty quick on applications that don't go to FR, when submitted on Oct. 1/early Oct. Definitely tailor to Berkeley, they love it. But don't go overboard.

Sheehan wrote:I was reading the UCLA TLS page and saw that if there is a big discrepancy in retaken LSAT scores, an addendum is recommended. I don't have a great reason for my score change other than that I understood the importance of the test more and did enough research to realize that taking lots of PTs = win (as opposed to just a class). Is this something that schools want to hear?

I'd recommend in your case not writing an addendum, simply because it isn't a good reason to do so.

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Sheehan wrote:Thanks again! You bring up a great point about Biglaw prospects vs. Cali prospects, and based on the specific combination of schools I get into, I will have to think this through thoroughly.

So to clarify, if you apply ED to a school, are you allowed to retract your application prior to hearing back? If this is the case, and early applications to Berkeley tend to get responses prior to ED applications to Chicago, my plan would pretty much be set.

If you're lucky enough, yes. I think UChicago releases ED decisions around the third week of December.