Top Law Schools

I have a BBA from a top-tier private univ. with a 3.68 GPA. My school breaks up your GPA once you enter the undergrad business school to a pre and post component, I had a 3.79 for my first year and a half before entering the business school and a 3.61 after that, averaging to about a 3.68. I took the October LSAT and scored a 173. I have about a year of full-time work experience. I worked as a financial analyst for a large bank and I also worked in China for a large consumer goods company. I also have a graduate business degree, where I had 3.91 GPA. I'm Indian/Pakistani if it makes any difference. I figured I would write in here because I wanted to see whether people thought the advanced degree and work experience would be helpful.

I blanketed the top-14 (everything except Cornell, Michigan, and Duke), as well as UCLA. I got fee waivers from most of the schools so I figured what the hell, no harm in applying. Obviously HYS is a bit of a stretch, but I'm wondering what my chances look like for CCN or Berkeley. Thanks for your help.

Quick edit: Checked my LSAC calculated GPA and its 3.69.

Out of HYS. You have a great shot at NYU, and you would have a great shot at Chicago if you went to the interview and showed interest in the school. Maybe a 30 or 40% chance at Columbia.

vulpixie wrote:Out of HYS. You have a great shot at NYU, and you would have a great shot at Chicago if you went to the interview and showed interest in the school. Maybe a 30 or 40% chance at Columbia.

I wasn't aware that there was an interview option for Chicago. Would it be worth it to call them up and see if I could get one?

Boston_NYG2245 wrote:

vulpixie wrote:Out of HYS. You have a great shot at NYU, and you would have a great shot at Chicago if you went to the interview and showed interest in the school. Maybe a 30 or 40% chance at Columbia.

I wasn't aware that there was an interview option for Chicago. Would it be worth it to call them up and see if I could get one?

Yeah, I thought it was only by their request, and pretty rare. Also, a quick google search didn't turn up anything to deny this. Are you sure you're not confusing UChi with NU?

I'm positive. If you're interested in Chicago, give them a call and see if you can interview. If it doesn't work out or if the deadline has passed, write a "why Chicago" essay and attach it to your application.

Great shot at NYU. Chicago is less predictable due to class size. If you're interested in going there try to apply early and show specific interest in your application. They seem to be very into GPA all of a sudden though, so that might hurt you. Columbia could go either way. I applied last year (at the deadline, without WE) with very similar numbers and got in. I'd put your chances a little above 50%.

@OP: You mention an "advanced degree" in your post. What advanced degree do you have ?

Regardless, your best options are Penn, Michigan, NYU, Duke, Georgetown & Northwestern.

CanadianWolf wrote:@OP: You mention an "advanced degree" in your post. What advanced degree do you have ?

Regardless, your best options are Penn, Michigan, NYU, Duke, Georgetown & Northwestern.

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I have an MS in Finance (3.9 GPA). I didn't do an MBA because I didn't want to spend an extra year repeating classes that I had taken as an undergrad in fields I wasn't interested in (Operations and Marketing come to mind). As it pertains to what I want to do as a lawyer, I'm looking to do something with a finance bent. I'm particularly interested in securities law as it relates to private equity and venture capital.

Of the schools you mentioned I've applied to Penn, NYU and Northwestern already.

I'm thinking of adding Michigan to the list as well as GULC, except that I'm not huge on DC (not a political statement, just that I've never enjoyed my visits there).

Any thoughts on Boalt? I live on the East coast now, but basically my entire family is in California (both in LA and the Bay Area).