3.62 (B.A. Econ) 178 LSAT (June '11) Forum

[zerolawl]

First time poster, was referred to this site by a fellow pre-lawl.

3.62GPA, 178 LSAT, top 20 undergrad. Basically, am wondering at what point a higher LSAT hits diminishing returns, as I'm curious about chances at HLS. LSP chances obviously increase all the way to "consider" as you increase LSAT (and a laughable "Admit" for Stanford), but I figure there has to be a point at which that regression results in a grossly inaccurate result. Can anyone comment on realistic chances with this stat combo? Average softs in undergrad, will be coming straight out. Thanks a lot everybody.

[kapital98]

First time poster, was referred to this site by a fellow pre-lawl.

3.62GPA, 178 LSAT, top 20 undergrad. Basically, am wondering at what point a higher LSAT hits diminishing returns, as I'm curious about chances at HLS. LSP chances obviously increase all the way to "consider" as you increase LSAT (and a laughable "Admit" for Stanford), but I figure there has to be a point at which that regression results in a grossly inaccurate result. Can anyone comment on realistic chances with this stat combo? Average softs in undergrad, will be coming straight out. Thanks a lot everybody.

FLAME

[kapital98]

In case it's not a flame: You have an excellent shot at CCN. Your chance at YHS are up in the air. Harvard and Yale both have a rumored 3.8 GPA cutoff. There has to be a good reason, more than just your stellar LSAT, for Harvard or Yale to accept you. You do have a good shot at Stanford.

Money permitting you should take a shot at whatever T-14 schools you feel like you want to attend. Maybe apply to a few other T14 that you may not want to attend so you can negotiate better scholarship offers from the schools you do want to attend.

With that LSAT score you always have an outside chance at Harvard or Yale...

[zerolawl]

I appreciate the answer, makes up for the flame accusation. Honestly not intending to present myself like that, just have limited knowledge of T3 admissions (as I think most of us do). The increase in black-box-esque admissions between CCN and HYS seems significant. Thanks again.

[09042014]

After 175 you get pretty diminished returns on your LSAT. Pretty low shot at HYS, but decent shots at CCN.

[zerolawl]

After 175 you get pretty diminished returns on your LSAT. Pretty low shot at HYS, but decent shots at CCN.

Seems to be the prevailing notion on here. I also feel like my GPA will preclude me from money from CCN?

[glewz]

You have a great shot at CCN, but you'll likely get WL or Out at HYS. Given that your softs are only average, YS are really, really unlikely.

I've known a few people who were held/out @ H with slightly higher numbers (on both ends) than yours, but I think that it's still worth it for you to throw in an app.

[09042014]

After 175 you get pretty diminished returns on your LSAT. Pretty low shot at HYS, but decent shots at CCN.

Seems to be the prevailing notion on here. I also feel like my GPA will preclude me from money from CCN?

You might get some cash at NYU.

[glewz]

After 175 you get pretty diminished returns on your LSAT. Pretty low shot at HYS, but decent shots at CCN.

Seems to be the prevailing notion on here. I also feel like my GPA will preclude me from money from CCN?

Probably no $, but you might get lucky.

Edit: DF is right about NYU.

[zerolawl]

Had a hard time gleaning consistent scholly expectations for the rest of t14...I've seen everything from a waitlist to a Darrow at Michigan on LSN for example. I figured as much, with my GPA being below median at most of them.

[zerolawl]

Had a hard time gleaning consistent scholly expectations for the rest of t14...I've seen everything from a waitlist to a Darrow at Michigan on LSN for example. I figured as much, with my GPA being below median at most of them.

I almost wonder if it behooves me to wait until next year to apply, and try to get my GPA above 3.7 (seems to be to be a sweet spot GPA, but I could be misinformed here)

[09042014]

Had a hard time gleaning consistent scholly expectations for the rest of t14...I've seen everything from a waitlist to a Darrow at Michigan on LSN for example. I figured as much, with my GPA being below median at most of them.

Write why michigan? letters. Penn too.

[KibblesAndVick]

This is what LSN has for non-URMs with LSATs between 176 and 180 inclusive and GPAs from 3.5 to 3.7 at Harvard. 2 out of 16.

This is the same criteria for Columbia. 10 out of 17.

I'm too lazy to put in links but it's 1 out of 7 at Chicago and 13 out of 16 for NYU. Hopefully that gives you some idea. LSP gives you a general sense. If you actually look at the data from LSN it will give you a more nuanced picture of what schools care about a so-so GPA (Chicago) and which schools don't give a damn (NYU).

HTH

[Dany]

I also feel like my GPA will preclude me from money from CCN?

I actually think you might get money from Chicago. Several high LSAT/middling GPA applicants got money ranging anywhere from $36k-$54k. The Rubenstein freed up a lot of scholarship funds, so they were pretty generous this year (and I assume they will be next year.)

[Dany]

I'm too lazy to put in links but it's 1 out of 7 at Chicago

Just wanted to note that those Chicago numbers are slightly skewed because several of those were late applicants, and everyone who applied in January or later this year got waitlisted or rejected. So OP's chances, while not a lock, will be slightly better than that 1/7 figure if he/she applies early.

[zerolawl]

Thanks Dany/KibblesAndVick, that was the sense I was getting (NYU loving the LSAT, Chicago wanting a higher GPA, and Columbia being a mix). I'm planning to do my best to cast a wide net, as even within CCN a sticker price is frightening (though I can't deny TLS group-think influence in that fear). I could really see myself in the South (QOL/COL differences) as well as my home market (Philly), so big schollies from t-20/30 will definitely be in my calculus.

[KibblesAndVick]

I'm too lazy to put in links but it's 1 out of 7 at Chicago

Just wanted to note that those Chicago numbers are slightly skewed because several of those were late applicants, and everyone who applied in January or later this year got waitlisted or rejected. So OP's chances, while not a lock, will be slightly better than that 1/7 figure if he/she applies early.

Yeah, very good point. Applying early makes a difference for scholarships too because they give them out on a rolling basis. If you apply late they've already given out a lot of the money they have available.

[09042014]

If you want scholarships apply broadly in the T20, and then regions you have ties with. I