170 / 3.3 Forum

[chiangjj]

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[ahnhub]

UCLA seems to have a preference for high GPAs, I don't like your chances there. Odds at USC should be better, but on LSP I was kinda surprised--lots of waitlists for 170/<3.4. There seems to be a GPA floor of around 3.4. BUT--with reduced apps, who knows? Kinda sucks because the 3 top schools in Cali all seem to favor high GPAs. USC doesn't have ED; I haven't heard much about UCLA's ED.

You're in everywhere below that in SoCal. You should get $$$ someplace, but maybe not someplace you'd want to go.

You have a very good shot at UVA (like 75%--look on LSN), but only if you ED. If you're looking T-14 that is probably your best shot by far. Northwestern also takes splitters, but I think they like LSATs 1 or 2 points higher for that, and it doesn't give great NYC biglaw opportunities anyway. Cornell might be the best shot at T-14 after that, but there's not a lot of data for them. The strong upward trend should help you.

An ED to MPB would be wasted, IMO. GPA's too low.

[chiangjj]

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[Seneca]

You can throw out an ED to Penn if you would really much rather be in Philadelphia than Charlottesville, but note that UVA is consistently more forgiving of GPAs in your range than Penn, and UVA is well-known as the best T14 ED option for a splitter with your numbers.

If you're just looking to get into the best school possible and resigned to the fact that your GPA locks you out of the top CA schools, consider sending an app ED to UVA >> ED GULC/Mich/Penn, as needed. Obviously, you're locked into UVA if you're accepted, but it's wise to send there first because of their 15-day turnaround. Just an option to consider. Good luck with your cycle.

[ahnhub]

I just suspect that Penn would be hard from anecdotal information--they seem to be the least splitter-friendly of MVPB. But if you really have your heart set on it go ahead and ED; UVA's ED deadline is the same as they're RD deadline, so you can actually switch to ED there if you don't get into ED at your first choice. But you don't seem to like UVA too much anyways.

I think there's a decent chance you get something you like--UCLA, USC, or a T-14--if you use your ED wisely, blanket schools, and work on your app.

[afitouri]

I think you have a really solid chance at USC actually. Almost a certainty. But the question is, "do you want to go to USC?"

[chiangjj]

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[afitouri]

Well keep in mind that a lot of people don't update whether their wait list was an acceptance or a rejection on LSN. If it just says, "waitlist," then that doesn't really tell you anything other than that they were waitlisted.