Top Law Schools

Hey guys,

I'm new to this website but was wondering if people had any idea what my chances would be like considering I have a medical disorder that kept my freshmen year GPA very low (2.5ish), and has been a major obstacle in my life. Since then my GPA is a 3.5 (3.15 is the cumulative with freshmen year). I go to a top 15 undergrad and was wondering my chances at top 14 law schools as I'm trying to do early decision somewhere. I have strong LORs and a strong personal statement. My top schools would be Columbia,NYU, or U of chicago. Would they even consider me or should I use my early decision somewhere else?

Thanks a lot for any response

That GPA will probably keep you out of Chicago, Columbia, and NYU even if your LSAT was substantially higher. Even if they look at your GPA solely since freshmen year (3.5) you would probably still be out.

With that said, if it's your dream school, go for it. However, if you're merely using ED as a tool to maximize admissions prospects regardless of the particular school, do not ED to the aforementioned schools.

Thanks for the advice. From what I've read on these boards and elsewhere, if I want to go to a t14 my best use of ED would be Virginia or Georgetown. Does this seem about right and is one of these more likely over the other? I know LSP says I have a better chance at Virginia but I've heard either is about equal.

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Virginia has a 15 (I think, or is it 10?) day turnaround on ED apps, so if you want to maximize prospects you could apply ED there, if denied, ED somewhere else. It's a fairly common strategy as far as I can tell.

Not blind or deaf, Intestinal Bowel Syndrome type disease. Yea the University of Virginia ED thing might be good, just not sure where I would rather end up. I would preferably be in NY or Chicago but it seems like I wouldn't have much of a shot at the top schools in those areas.

I don't agree, I dont' think a poor overall GPA (due to freshman year performance/illness) will disqualify you, just write a compelling and brief addendum. If you must ED, I would send one to NYU over Chicago.

Remember, even a 3.5 is below these schools' 25%. A 3.1 won't make any a difference.

I'd consider Penn also.

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Yea wow sorry that was stupid, been super stressed. I actually have Crohn's disease, which is a specific type of IBS.

The 3.5 thing is a good point, I guess the addendum wouldn't do much at schools like NYU when I'm below their 25 % without freshman year anyway.

The basic fact is that the order of my top schools would be something like this:

Columbia
U of Chicago
NYU
Georgetown/Virginia (either or)
Penn

I don't want to waste an ED on a school I have almost no chance at, especially if it would make a difference at a school I do have a chance at (georgetown/virginia/penn?).

What would you guys suggest considering the above?

Thanks again for all the help.