166 3.53- Chances at t20-t40 in Midwest? Forum

[Stl2012]

Hey guys,

First time poster, recently took the June LSAT and scored a 166 and I have a 3.53 LSDAS GPA at a state school. I'm from the midwest and would like to stay in the area. I would prefer to work in St. Louis, but would be happy in any decent midwestern market. Right now the schools I'm looking at, in order of rank, are:

Wash U
UIUC
Notre Dame
Iowa
IUB
Wisky
Chicago-Kent
Depaul
SLU

Any thoughts on my chances at the above schools? Any other schools I should be looking at? Not a URM, nothing outstanding in the softs department, although I'd say they are good (study abroad, intern in DC for a semester). Any advice would be very helpful. Thanks.

[Peg]

If you want St Louis, then you are golden for SLU. You'll probably get $$ from them.

[kapital98]

With your numbers you have an outside chance at being accepted at a T15. You could apply to 1-2 of these to improve your scholarship negotiations with your school of choice.

Otherwise, you have a decent shot at all of the schools you listed. The higher ranked T20's, like WUSTL and ND, are up in the air but still by all means possible.

If you have the money throw out an application to Northwestern. It's very unlikely you will be accepted but 1) it's possible, 2) if you are accepted that will greatly increase your scholarship leverage at lower ranked schools.

[Stl2012]

So would you advise going to SLU for St. Louis over UIUC or Iowa for example? And how much would ED help at Northwestern?

[bk1]

http://www.lawschoolnumbers.com

So would you advise going to SLU for St. Louis over UIUC or Iowa for example? And how much would ED help at Northwestern?

ED isn't going to help you when you're below both medians. If you want NU then you should retake.

[NYCbound35]

Retaking for a 168/169 will get you $$$ at WUSTL...this is probably the best bet if you want St. Louis.

If you do not retake, apply to all the schools you listed and see what is best for your situation. As of now, you're in for big $$$$ at IU-B, Iowa and Wisconson. The only thing is, I don't know anything about these schools mobility even within the midwest, so make sure that you're fine practicing in their respective states before you commit. You have a shot at UIUC and ND, but with less $$ than the above schools. Don't go to the Chicago T2s because you'll get better deals at the other schools, and it doesn't seem like you want Chi-Town in particular.

[Transferthrowaway]

Why not THE Ohio State University?


just kidding, you're right.

[Stl2012]

Retaking for a 168/169 will get you $$$ at WUSTL...this is probably the best bet if you want St. Louis.

If you do not retake, apply to all the schools you listed and see what is best for your situation. As of now, you're in for big $$$$ at IU-B, Iowa and Wisconson. The only thing is, I don't know anything about these schools mobility even within the midwest, so make sure that you're fine practicing in their respective states before you commit. You have a shot at UIUC and ND, but with less $$ than the above schools. Don't go to the Chicago T2s because you'll get better deals at the other schools, and it doesn't seem like you want Chi-Town in particular.

Am I really in with big $$ at IUB, Iowa, and Wisconsin? I'm new to this, but after looking at lsn it seems most people with my numbers were accepted at Wisconsin and Iowa, but didn't receive a whole lot of money. I know IUB is different, and has been throwing money around to people with a 164+ LSAT, but they seem to be the exception. Do you have any other information regarding the scholarship $$ at Wisky and Iowa? Or am I overlooking something?

[Stl2012]

Why not THE Ohio State University?


just kidding, you're right.

Only if they could hook me up with some cars, big ten rings, and $$$. But in all seriousness, I've taken a look at Ohio St. and just don't know if I'd want to practice in Ohio. Not familiar enough with the state, the school, or the legal market(s). I assume it places well in Cincinnati?

[Transferthrowaway]

Why not THE Ohio State University?


just kidding, you're right.

Only if they could hook me up with some cars, big ten rings, and $$$. But in all seriousness, I've taken a look at Ohio St. and just don't know if I'd want to practice in Ohio. Not familiar enough with the state, the school, or the legal market(s). I assume it places well in Cincinnati?

I would think so. I don't know how much they compete with UC. To be honest, my only experience with Ohio was going there for UG (not OSU or UC)

[Stl2012]

Also, would it be helpful to apply as early as possible? Do those who get their applications in let's say October with my numbers stand a much better chance? I ask because I am applying this cycle and will be interning in DC this fall and earning academic credit while doing so (automatic 4.0 GPA for the semester). So would it be better to wait and apply after this semester with a higher GPA and a possible strong LOR, or go ahead and apply as early as possible?

[buckilaw]

Retake. Then aim higher or pursue a large scholly.

[ndirish2010]

You probably won't get ND or UIUC with those stats. I believe you're below both medians for both schools. If you're from St. Louis, either take the 120K from IU or retake. You'll probably be able to do just as well if not better in St Louis coming from IU than SLU, and it also opens up Indy.

[aaaaaah]

Retaking for a 168/169 will get you $$$ at WUSTL...this is probably the best bet if you want St. Louis.

I'd vote for this if you want St. Louis. Retake and just a few points higher can get you some decent $ from WUSTL. Check LSN- 3.5-3.6/168-169 generally nets 75-84k. It seems like they're pretty open to negotiating, too.