Northwestern chances Forum

[chameleonia]

I have a somewhat volatile profile:

GPA 3.17 at a good (but non-ivy) school (one bad year, with a very strong upward trend of 2.0-3.x-3.8 and getting noted for Academic Honors on my transcript twice)

LSAT is 164 but taking again in Oct because consistently scoring 170+ in practice

Extras:
3 years of summer work as a clerk doing litigation support at an IP law firm
1 year Peace Corps
Worked full time hours for political campaigns/parties/organizations during school
Led public awareness campaign that generated national news articles and a national radio interview
Was President of queer student organization


NU is my first choice and i'm willing to prove it by applying ED.

So questions:
1.Thoughts on my chances at getting in with 3.17/164 + softs?
2. ""3.17/169 "?
3.What other top schools might I have a shot at (as is and/or with a 4-5pt LSAT boost)?

[freestallion]

I think for Northwestern, although they are known to be splitter friendly, with a GPA like 3.17 you are probably going to need 170+ on the LSAT to have a shot. 171 or 172+ would give you a better shot. I don't think your chances are good with a 169 because IIRC that is below BOTH their medians. To be a splitter you have to be above one median at least, and to a substantial level to balance out your low GPA.

Second, do you know of their new ED policy? Everyone who is accepted via ED gets a full scholarship. So that means ED is likely more competitive now, and you probably won't have a shot at that scholly with that GPA. However, it may be worth applying ED (to show commitment) and they may defer you to RD and accept you anyway.

So I guess: hope you get a 171+ on the LSAT!

ETA: An on campus interview or an off-campus interview w/ adcomms is required for ED. If you're in Peace Corps, are you sure you can get to that interview?

[chameleonia]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention I already had my on campus interview and it went really well (at least I'm pretty sure it did, 70 minutes blew by and i asked questions that got me facetime w/ someone who actually helps make the decision).

I've heard about that ED policy but havent seen anything from NU that actually publicly confirms that ALL ED accepts get full rides. That policy doesnt really make sense to me either since its in NU's best interest to be able to make offers to as many people as possible that they know will attend and can be obligated to pay sticker. Either way, i dont think applying ED can hurt.

[Tiago Splitter]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention I already had my on campus interview and it went really well (at least I'm pretty sure it did, 70 minutes blew by and i asked questions that got me facetime w/ someone who actually helps make the decision).

I've heard about that ED policy but havent seen anything from NU that actually publicly confirms that ALL ED accepts get full rides. That policy doesnt really make sense to me either since its in NU's best interest to be able to make offers to as many people as possible that they know will attend and can be obligated to pay sticker. Either way, i dont think applying ED can hurt.

Johann Lee - Sep 20, 2011 - Public
Binding ED= $150K

A twelve pack of Q's and A's:

Q: What does it mean?
A: It means that if you are admitted through our Binding Early Decision (BED) program you will receive a merit based $50K scholarship per year. (3 years x $50K= $150K, get it?)

[crumpetsandtea]

Freestallion is right in what she said (btw, FS, I LOVE YOUR TARRRR)

A few other notes:

• The summer work & other softs will not help, sorry...everyone's done stuff like that, and they focus on post-grad WE (but you have PC which is a BIG plus! )

• You're not getting in with anything lower than a 171, IMO. Even a 170 is pushing it. I'm a splitter shooting for NU who under-performed this June as well, so I feel your pain.

• You're not getting in ED to NU.Their target admits for the ED program will be people who have the numbers for CCN/MVP but are debt-averse. BUT you do have a good shot at getting in RD, with a 17X LSAT score. Also, this is the source of the ED program change, from Johann Lee's G+ account: https://plus.google.com/102552009136948752045/posts

• It's impossible to tell you what your results would be without a real LSAT score, esp because the difference between a low 170s and high 160s score is VERY HUGE. Some comments though -
  • 1.) With a lower-160s score, you're kind of screwed. Chances are you won't be getting money at any T1 schools, or very very little. ): Sorry bro.
    
    2.) With an upper-160s score you're looking at money from WUSTL, IUB, UIUC, UMN, and likely other T30s. I'd shoot for GWU and GULC PT as well. The coasts are not so friendly to splitters, but the midwest loves us much more, so most likely your acceptances and money will be coming from there.
    
    3.) With a lower 170s score, you'll have a good chance of getting into NU RD. IF you don't care about what T14 you go to (though it seems like you do) you can also ED to UVa or GULC. Both of them like 17X/low-3.X splitters. For those 2, ED would be your only chance at getting in, and your chances at the other T14s are very slim. You're also looking at considerable scholarships in the T30 range (as listed above, WUSTL, IUB, etc), and possibly even full schollies.

• Your upward GPA trend is good, and you should be glad that you're above the 3.X mark because that will make your life easier than if you were a 2.9/164 ^_^

Like FS said, it all boils down to how you do on the LSAT. a 17X is clutch for splitters like us.

And, lastly, JOIN US: http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 7&t=162897