3.56 GPA, 175 LSAT; What are my chances for a T14 Law School Forum

[Actary]

Hello,

I hope everyone is doing well!
It is my first time posting/writing here, so I am relatively new to this forum, and relatively nervous about my law school application. I would really appreciate it if you guys could give me some insights as to where I stand in respect to, possibly, a T14 law school admission...

Let me then begin by stating that I have lived in the US for four years now, I am not a US citizen, but I have two other nationalities...
My background is fairly unique for I grew up (when I was around 7-8 years old) and was personally affected by a civil war going on in my country. As a result, my family and I immigrated to France, and while waiting for the nationality, we were homeless ( from 10-12 years old) ... I am hoping, thus, that my personal essay will have a certain weight, will be interesting enough...

I attend a CUNY college, majoring in Political Science. No prestigious college. Didn't have the financial resources nor the appropriate knowledge of the American system ( I had to take the SAT less than 5 months after arriving, barely speaking English, still managed to receive decent scores) ...

I took the LSAT and managed to take home a 175, lot of work, I practically gave up my life for ten months. It was worth it, nevertheless.

What worries me is my average GPA of 3.56... I had an extremely difficult year... Both my parents were in car accidents, my father had a massive and dangerous surgery. I was the only one speaking English in the household and I needed to take care of everything...while working two jobs (over 30hours), being a full time student and involved in college. Needless to say, my GPA dropped. Last semester I succeded in pulling all As, in five classes.

Now, in all honesty guys, do you think I have the slightest chance of being accepted at NYU, University of Chicago, Columbia or HYS ? If not, any suggestions of schools in the T10 ?
I am thinking of taking a year off probably, but not still sure about it...


I thank you all... and Happy New Year!

P.S: I am reposting here because, frankly, I just figured out how this forum worked...

[thederangedwang]

you have already posted another thread. No double dipping
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 2&t=174851

and obviously this isnt your first time posting

[Actary]

you have already posted another thread. No double dipping
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 2&t=174851

and obviously this isnt your first time posting

Hello,

Yes, indeed, I made it clear that I have "reposted" in my Post Scriptum...
Did you read it? I found my post to be pertaining to this category rather than the "The Admission College" one...

Also, thank you very much for your previous answer...

[bdubs]

Out at HYS
Columbia - 50% chance
Chicago - 50% chance
NYU - In
Penn - In if you write a "Why Penn"
Michigan - Probably in if you write a "Why Michigan"
Virginia - Out unless you're a VA resident
Duke - 50%, better if you write a "Why Duke"
Northwestern - In if you have 1+ year of post graduate work experience (seems like you don't, but might when you apply)
Cornell - In
Georgetown - In

Are you from an African country or from a European/Asia? If you are a URM then these are all inapplicable and you will probably get in to HYS.

[Actary]

Out at HYS
Columbia - 50% chance
Chicago - 50% chance
NYU - In
Penn - In if you write a "Why Penn"
Michigan - Probably in if you write a "Why Michigan"
Virginia - Out unless you're a VA resident
Duke - 50%, better if you write a "Why Duke"
Northwestern - In if you have 1+ year of post graduate work experience (seems like you don't, but might when you apply)
Cornell - In
Georgetown - In

Thank you very much for your time ...I really appreciate it!
I was wondering, though, if a well-written add. in my case might explain my GPA, and help me in being possibly accepted at HYS... Uh, it is highly unlikely, isn't it? ... I am also thinking about retaking my LSAT... I was honestly expecting a 178...

[bdubs]

Out at HYS
Columbia - 50% chance
Chicago - 50% chance
NYU - In
Penn - In if you write a "Why Penn"
Michigan - Probably in if you write a "Why Michigan"
Virginia - Out unless you're a VA resident
Duke - 50%, better if you write a "Why Duke"
Northwestern - In if you have 1+ year of post graduate work experience (seems like you don't, but might when you apply)
Cornell - In
Georgetown - In

Thank you very much for your time ...I really appreciate it!
I was wondering, though, if a well-written add. in my case might explain my GPA, and help me in being possibly accepted at HYS... Uh, it is highly unlikely, isn't it? ... I am also thinking about retaking my LSAT... I was honestly expecting a 178...

No, an addendum won't change anything. People with a 3.7x GPA have a hard time getting in, 3.5X GPA is an immediate non starter for 99.9% of applicants.

There is no point in retaking a 175, it won't matter for basically any school.

[sven]

I think that you definitely have a shot at HYS. You have an incredibly interesting and compelling story, and your GPA is not bad enough to land you in the auto-reject pile.

I would also absolutely write an addendum to explain your grades. You want the people reading it to have a full understanding of your circumstances and background. As long as you don't make it too "poor me" and work in some discussion of your upward grade trajectory, it can only help.

If I were you, I would apply next September and spend your next few months perfecting your Personal Statement and getting some interesting work experience. Good luck!

[moneybagsphd]

Out at HYS
Columbia - 50% chance
Chicago - 50% chance
NYU - In
Penn - In if you write a "Why Penn"
Michigan - Probably in if you write a "Why Michigan"
Virginia - Out unless you're a VA resident
Duke - 50%, better if you write a "Why Duke"
Northwestern - In if you have 1+ year of post graduate work experience (seems like you don't, but might when you apply)
Cornell - In
Georgetown - In

Are you from an African country or from a European/Asia? If you are a URM then these are all inapplicable and you will probably get in to HYS.

REVISED:
Out at HYS
Columbia - 50% chance
Chicago - 50% chance
NYU - In
Penn - In. Write a "Why Penn" to make it a lock.
Michigan - In. Write a "Why Michigan" to make it a lock.
Virginia - WL (YP) unless you ED (yes, you can still ED)
Duke - In
Northwestern - Why pay $100 to find out, when you're a shoe in for so many T14 schools
Cornell - In
Georgetown - In
Also, depending on where you're from and what your life story is, you could be an auto-admit everywhere.
Good Luck!

[Nobody]

I really wouldn't say out at HYS if you really have a story of fleeing a wartorn country and living as a homeless child in France. Like, if there were ever an example of a life story helping you outperform your numbers, this would be it.