163/3.5 Forum

[mcr2011]

LSAT: 163
LSDAS GPA: 3.5
Major: Journalism

Attended a big state school that's not really known for its academics (undergrad ranks similar to Colorado for example). I'm worried that my school's prestige (or lack thereof) will bring my relative GPA down even further, although I'm not sure how much. Fortunately I started off slow, getting a 2.7 my first semester, and finishing my first year with a 3.2. I've done much better since then obviously.

I believe I have relatively good extracurricular activities through studying abroad twice and having several leadership positions in campus organizations, but this is all subjective and I'm not sure how I stack up against other people in terms of extracurriculars, so this probably isn't important.

Anyways, here are the schools I'm looking at. I feel like I have a solid shot at most of these schools, although I know some will end up rejecting me and (hopefully) some will end up accepting me.

Indiana
UC Davis
Illinois
Boston College
William and Mary
North Carolina
Georgia
Wisconsin
Wake Forest
Maryland
Florida
UC Hastings
Tulane

I recognize that's a long list, but a lot of those schools are ranked similarly, and I'm just starting to figure out where I'd like to go. So what do you think my chances are?

Edit: Crossed out a few that I was looking at that I don't think I have any chance at, also added a few in bold that I'm now looking at.

[mcr2011]

bump.

also, after doing more and more reading, I've revised my list.

Indiana
William and Mary
North Carolina
Wisconsin
Wake Forest
UC Hastings
Maryland
Tulane
Florida

Please, if you could help I'd really appreciate it. I need somebody to give me the unbiased truth. I suspect I can't get into Indiana. I suspect that William and Mary is also doubtful, although I am from Virginia, so that may help a little. UNC and UC Hastings are possible but not that likely. Wisconsin, Wake Forest, Maryland, Tulane, and Florida should be good bets. Just my thoughts, anyone care to share theirs real quick?

[CanadianWolf]

Check the graphs at lawschoolnumbers.com

Start with Georgia which clearly shows that a score of 165 or better is needed on the LSAT. Also, FSU's graph is interesting.

[mcr2011]

I did, and that's how I eliminated some of the schools from my original list, and added a few others. I got a general sense of which ones are reaches, safeties, and possibilities, but I'm not sure just how good of a shot I actually have at most of them.

[monarchylover]

Check the graphs at lawschoolnumbers.com

Start with Georgia which clearly shows that a score of 165 or better is needed on the LSAT. Also, FSU's graph is interesting.

how is a 165 needed if their median is a 164?

[Barbie]

You'll get into FSU with $$

[mcr2011]

bump? Only responses I've got so far in this thread are for a school that I didn't list as one I'm looking at lol

[Barbie]

Indiana- Nope
UC Davis- Nope
Illinois- Nope
Boston College -Nope
William and Mary -Nope
North Carolina -If you are a north carolina resident. If not, Nope.
Georgia- Nope
Wisconsin- Small prayer
Wake Forest - Yep with a few bones
Maryland- No idea
Florida- Yep, maaybe with a few bones as well
UC Hastings- Nope
Tulane -Most likely, with $

[mcr2011]

Thanks for the response. The only one that really surprised me is that you said Wisconsin is a small prayer. Everywhere I've looked it's seemed to me that I'd be a damn good bet to get into Wisconsin. Why do you think I wouldn't have a good shot at Wisconsin?

[Barbie]

Thanks for the response. The only one that really surprised me is that you said Wisconsin is a small prayer. Everywhere I've looked it's seemed to me that I'd be a damn good bet to get into Wisconsin. Why do you think I wouldn't have a good shot at Wisconsin?

Wisconsin is kind of strange. I had similar stats as you and I thiiink I got rejected... I might have been waitlisted I don't remember. But I remember they admit random people with stats like ours but for the majority it was WL/rejections.

FWIW, there are things that are game changers. I was accepted to Illinois with some $$ and similar stats to you. It happens. It happens more than that at Wisconsin. I'm just giving you my general consensus. There are also ways you could mess things up and get rejected at a school like UF or Tulane. You never know

[ilovesf]

Do you have a geographic preference? If money isn't a big issue, I'd apply to a lot of those schools. I had a 165 and 3.35 and I got into Hastings this year.. not the same numbers but in the same range. I also got into Tulane with $$ and WL at Davis, otherwise I didn't apply to any of those schools. If I were you I'd add a couple more safeties just to be sure.