Top Law Schools

Hello. I'm curious about which law schools I should apply to. Here is my information:

178 LSAT score
3.33 GPA from Wake Forest University
Philosophy and Political Science double-major with a minor in Latin American Studies
Semester abroad at the University of Cambridge studying international law and geopolitics
2+ years work experience in a law firm
Strong references from faculty members and employers
White male

Interested in a either a top international law school or a top general law school

My choices, ranked from most to least preferable:

1. Columbia
2. Stanford
3. NYU
4. University of Pennsylvania
5. Berkeley
6. University of Chicago
7. Georgetown
8. Duke
9. Northwestern
10. Cornell

Thanks for any help or advice.

BradleyHarrison wrote:
1. Columbia
2. Stanford
3. NYU
4. University of Pennsylvania
5. Berkeley
6. University of Chicago
7. Georgetown
8. Duke
9. Northwestern
10. Cornell

Thanks for any help or advice.

Blanket T14 as early as possible. Hit them on day one. Longshot at HYS. Decent odds at CCN. Out at Boalt. In or WL/In at MVP on down.

Write really strong essays indicating a strong preference for Columbia, NYU, Stanford. If I were to bet money I would bet 1:1 on you getting into at least one.

BradleyHarrison wrote:Hello. I'm curious about which law schools I should apply to. Here is my information:

178 LSAT score
3.33 GPA from Wake Forest University
Philosophy and Political Science double-major with a minor in Latin American Studies
Semester abroad at the University of Cambridge studying international law and geopolitics
2+ years work experience in a law firm
Strong references from faculty members and employers
White male

Interested in a either a top international law school or a top general law school

My choices, ranked from most to least preferable:

1. Columbia
2. Stanford
3. NYU
4. University of Pennsylvania
5. Berkeley
6. University of Chicago
7. Georgetown
8. Duke
9. Northwestern
10. Cornell

Thanks for any help or advice.

You're likely out at HYS. If I were you, I'd ED to NYU, which is bit more lenient towards lower GPAs than Columbia/Chicago.

Take a look at lawschoolnumbers.com.

Being as blunt as possible:

YS - No chance.
H - Tiniest chance, but highly unlikely.
CCN - NYU is the most likely (I'd rate it about 40-50%), followed by Columbia and Chicago around 25-30%
B - Apply early, possibly include an addedum about GPA, they love GPAs. Otherwise, no chance.
P - Likely with ED, possible without. Again, apply early.
G - In.
D - Very small chance, they really like GPAs, but it may be possible if you try through the Priority Track, and include Why Duke?
N - Probably your best chance at non-ED T143.
C - I don't know.

I think OP is going to have a very tough time with S with that GPA, despite a great LSAT. Everywhere else is probably worth applying to.

I think you have a good shot at CCN. 3.3 is not awful and that LSAT score is going to help any school's median. Also, when people say apply early, how early do they mean? Is October early?

Rolling admissions = as soon as they start accepting applications. It matters.

Take heart that it is always better to be a splitter than a reverse-splitter.

As others have posted, I think HYS would be reaches for you but you should have a good shot of getting at least one of the CCN. FWIW, in the case that you are WL'd at CCN, from threads here on TLS I saw that both N and Chi took a bunch of splitters off their WL this year. Good luck.

Thank you everyone for your extensive advice. Is the consensus that it would be too much of a reach to use my early decision with Columbia? Would NYU be the optimal early decision candidate? Is there anything that I could add to my application to increase my chances with Stanford?

Would adding documentation of a genius-level I.Q. score come off as arrogant? I truly appreciate your continuing help and this is an excellent site.

..

BradleyHarrison wrote:Thank you everyone for your extensive advice. Is the consensus that it would be too much of a reach to use my early decision with Columbia? Would NYU be the optimal early decision candidate? Is there anything that I could add to my application to increase my chances with Stanford?

Would adding documentation of a genius-level I.Q. score come off as arrogant? I truly appreciate your continuing help and this is an excellent site.

It is a big reach for NYU and Columbia already; both schools have a tiny number of successful applicants that fit your profile, and nearly all of them were WL --> Accept. I'd recommend EDing to whichever school you want a remote shot at.

You are SOL at HYS; their GPA floors make it pretty much impossible for you to get in. I've known people with better LSAT scores and much better GPAs get hold/reject from Harvard alone. Stanford, a school known for preferring high GPAs, has not accepted a non-URM under 3.5 GPA in over five years (LSN).

Do not add documentation of your genius-level IQ....

Edit: Sorry didn't answer your question regarding Stanford - in an ideal application, you want everything tailored to their admissions committee, and you would also submit it very early (September).

BradleyHarrison wrote: Would adding documentation of a genius-level I.Q. score come off as arrogant?

Not at all. Why would you think that?

Genius level IQ but a 3.33 GPA in 2 of the easiest majors...?

i know it wasn't on your initial list, but i'd look into Michigan, as well. they are very splitter friendly and have a good reputation for international law.

BradleyHarrison wrote: Would adding documentation of a genius-level I.Q. score come off as arrogant?

Mizz wrote:Genius level IQ but a 3.33 GPA in 2 of the easiest majors...?

I logged into say: I lol'd.

OP: What is your IQ? Just curious.