3.2/170 @ UCLA/USC? Forum

[cherub88]

I've heard UCLA is not splitter friendly, but am I considered a splitter? 3.2 undergrad GPA in a hard science (molecular biology) 3.5 GPA for my Master's, and 170 LSAT (no URM). I'm a non-traditional applicant so unless I get HYS (unlikely) I won't be willing to leave the Southern Californian region. It's either UCLA/USC or I stay at my current job (maybe T2 if I get a good scholarship offer).

Also, will I get some slack for my GPA because of my hard science major? I've heard conflicting stories about GPA boosts.

[blehGPAgoodLSAT]

I've heard UCLA is not splitter friendly, but am I considered a splitter? 3.2 undergrad GPA in a hard science (molecular biology) 3.5 GPA for my Master's, and 170 LSAT (no URM). I'm a non-traditional applicant so unless I get HYS (unlikely) I won't be willing to leave the Southern Californian region. It's either UCLA/USC or I stay at my current job (maybe T2 if I get a good scholarship offer).

Also, will I get some slack for my GPA because of my hard science major? I've heard conflicting stories about GPA boosts.

Unfortunately, from what I have gathered both UCLA and USC doesn't seem very merciful on GPA. http://ucla.lawschoolnumbers.com/stats and http://usc.lawschoolnumbers.com/stats are good resources. As you can see, it looks like they both have a floor at around 3.4 for non-URMs on GPAs. Your UG major will only have minimal effects; the typical TSL consensus is that it doesn't matter at all. If you're really set on staying in Southern California I think your options are T2 w/ $$.

[cherub88]

Just out of curiosity, what schools would be possible with my numbers? Any t14?

Or should I just retake in Sept and hope for the best? I had high 170's in practice tests, but I don't want to risk it if it's not going to help me.

Also: what about my chances for UCI?

[FlanAl]

UCI you are probably looking pretty good. Maybe gtown with the ED?

[ndirish2010]

You'd get NU for sure. I know you said you want to stay in SoCal, but I had to throw it out there.

[bdubs]

You're more likely to get Berkeley with a well written PS than you are to get UCLA or USC, but it's still really unlikely. They took one person from TLS with a hard science background, but a substantially higher LSAT (175 IIRC). UCLA and USC are much more formulaic and likely to dismiss you because you are below their grade floor.