Transcript with one bad semester Forum

[shkang89]

I am an ivy-league school graduate with an average GPA about 3.6 and LSAT score 175.

My transcript was flawless until the first semester of my junior year. (I got a D- and a B-). My professor failed me in the final paper of a writing seminar course because he found something "close to" plagiarism. He didn't report it or anything, so there is no official record of academic dishonor, but the bad grades left on my transcript. I worked my ass off after that semester to recover my gpa and graduated with 3.64.

Does this seriously hurt my chances to get into a top 14 school?

What should I write in my addendum? Probably shouldn't mention anything related to plagiarism, right?

Would applying after working few years increase my chance? or should I just give up?

Please help me......

[ben4847]

Yeah, I wouldn't mention the plagiarism. You're pretty lucky to get off that easy.

[LawSchoolChampion]

Easily in at the top 14, I'd say in at T-6 if you've applied already. NYU is definitely in play if you applied early.

So, what do you want?

If you haven't applied you could blanket the T-14, and see what you get. If you want te T-6 and you don't get it, apply next cycle and you probably will.

[20130312]

Does this seriously hurt my chances to get into a top 14 school?

No.

What should I write in my addendum? Probably shouldn't mention anything related to plagiarism, right?

Probably not.

Would applying after working few years increase my chance?

Yes.

or should I just give up?

Probably.

[expelliarmus]

In at T6, or at least some other T14 school in the worst case scenario. IF you want to work, then work for a few years - otherwise, I don't see the reason to. Unless you cured cancer, I don't think your numbers will get you into HYS, and CCN are already in reach right now.

Just write a very compelling personal statement.

[062914123]

.

[chasgoose]

HYS is out. Your LSAT isn't high enough to make up for your GPA. TBH, I wouldn't even write an addendum about the one bad grade. If it was close to plagarism (and I'm assuming you did what your professor accused you of or you would have appealed it) that's going to be the only explanation for it and that is far worse than the grade itself. You are probably in at 2-3 of CCN.