Super Splitter- High LSAT Low GPA Where do I apply? Forum

[mouseme]

Hi everyone,

I am a super splitter with a 163/177 LSAT and 2.7 GPA. I took the LSAT three times; two years ago for the 163 and a no show and the 177 was from this October. I was sick for the 163 but I didn't cancel because I already had a no show (when there was a snow storm and there was no way for me to get to the test center that was located in the only area that didn't get as much snow).

I have an engineering background from a Top 15 school, according to the U.S. News rankings. By the time I apply next year I will have worked 1 year at a multinational corporation as an engineer, and I am interested in IP. I have done lots of extracurricular activities, but I don't think I have any strong softs that will make me stand out from the crowd (I did perform at Carnegie Hall as a high schooler, but it seems like a lot of people have similar experiences) . I interned at the top two major law firms in my country for two summers before I graduated from undergrad.

I don't really have any explanation for my horrible grades other than that I chose the wrong major and I had to work all through college to support myself. So basically, I don't feel like I have anything to write-off the awful GPA since a lot of people were in the same situation.

I will also apply as an Asian international student, but I don't know how being an international student will affect my application (I know how the Asian part of it will work out though...).

Do you think I have a chance at any decent schools or should I just change directions completely?

Thanks for any advice!

[DreamsInDigital]

I don't have any ideas about your current chances, but people seem to agree that the best way to overcome a low GPA is with significant work experience. It gives you something to talk about to show that your GPA doesn't define you and also puts some distance which can indicate that you've "grown."

I had a similar GPA and much lower LSAT (but, URM status) with about 5 years of work experience and I am happy with my cycle. Can you stick around with your current position for another year or two? I think that would give you the best shot at some good acceptances.

[mouseme]

Hello,

Thanks for the response! I can pretty much stick around at my job for as long as I want, but I would like to go back to the United States as soon as possible since I am currently in a LDR (and I've lived in the US for 15+ years before recently moving for work). My job does not do location transfers so that's not possible at this time.

Do you really think working 1-2 more years will make a huge difference? If I get into the Class of 2016, by the time I start law school I will have 2 years of experience under my belt and I was hoping that would be enough.

My GPA is killing me, but it was actually the average GPA for my major at school. I think in the LSDAS report it only shows the average GPA of the whole school which is around 3.3.

[DreamsInDigital]

Well, two years might be enough to overcome your GPA slightly if it is incredibly high level/high leadership. But the general consensus seems to be that about four years is optimal. I know how difficult relationship stuff can make it, but you have to consider what is going to give you the best chance at getting into a great school. I have no idea how the international student part comes into play though, so that might change the equation a little.

[crumpetsandtea]

Hi there! I am almost your #s twin with a 2.8/176 applying this cycle. You can find my cycle here - http://lawschoolnumbers.com/whimsical . I will have <1.5 years of WE when I start law school.

Thisisme (another user on this forum) has exactly your numbers, a 2.7/177. You can find his cycle here - http://lawschoolnumbers.com/thisisme . On his LSN it says he has 3-4 years of WE.

I would highly encourage following our cycles and looking on LSN at past cycles to get a good idea of what a splitter should be shooting for. With that said:

Typically, the go-to splitter T14 schools are UVA and GULC with an ED app and NU. Thisisme and I have both been accepted into Northwestern. I would not expect much else from the T14 (which is not to say you definitely won't get into any schools, just that the rest are harder to predict), and in particular don't expect any love from Duke, Boalt, and Penn (they prefer high GPAs over high LSATs).

If you are looking for non-T14s that are splitter friendly, I would recommend applying to midwestern schools like WUSTL, UMN, UIUC, IUB, etc etc, and avoiding California schools.

Hope this helped!

[mouseme]

I really appreciate all your guys' help.

I have been looking at Northwestern and it would be awesome if that works out. I will definitely check out your lawschoolnumbers profile, and congrats on the acceptance!

Do you have any particular advice for applying to Northwestern and any other schools as an extreme splitter? I have been reading around and it seems like a lot of people have extenuating circumstances explaining their GPAs while I do not...

I also haven't found a ton of information on how international students are treated in terms of the admissions process as well as if we are treated need-blind like American applicants so I'm particularly worried about that.

Hopefully I'll be able to join you at Northwestern!

[crumpetsandtea]

I really appreciate all your guys' help.

I have been looking at Northwestern and it would be awesome if that works out. I will definitely check out your lawschoolnumbers profile, and congrats on the acceptance!

Do you have any particular advice for applying to Northwestern and any other schools as an extreme splitter? I have been reading around and it seems like a lot of people have extenuating circumstances explaining their GPAs while I do not...

I also haven't found a ton of information on how international students are treated in terms of the admissions process as well as if we are treated need-blind like American applicants so I'm particularly worried about that.

Hopefully I'll be able to join you at Northwestern!

Definitely write a GPA addendum explaining your low GPA. Mine was about family issues that came up my freshman year and caused my GPA to drop significantly. Also DEFINITELY write a Why Northwestern and do an interview. They really really like to see a candidate put in the extra effort. Oh, and it is almost impossible to get into NU as a splitter without work experience. Only 5% of their class has 0 years of WE, and usually those admitted with no WE are above both medians.

Unfortunately, I'm not well-versed in the way international applicants are treated ): There are plenty of candidates on this forum that are int'l students though, so I'm sure someone will be able to help you out. If you're having trouble getting responses ITT, you can always do a forum search or create another thread just to ask about int'l students (try the search first though, I bet there's lots of threads already about that very topic).

[Philosopher King]

With a 177 LSAT you should be able to get in at a T14 school. the low GPA isn't going to be a deal breaker.

[mouseme]

Thanks for all your help! It definitely made me feel a lot better about my chances.

[thisisme]

-