Send in more apps? 169/3.6 Forum

[lawnon]

Hey all! Thanks for helping me!

LSAT: 169
GPA: 3.60 (went up after fall semester, hasn't been updated through LSAC yet though... I have one slow professor so I can't send the updated transcript yet)
- addendum re: lower grades soph year for medical reasons that are no longer an issue
strong softs
been told my PS, DS are very strong (by people who review apps)
non-URM
Graduated Dec. 11 (last month)
work experience in professional offices, legal office (significant legal work, about 5 years), currently working in major corporation

I want to do corporate law, particularly (in the ideal world where I actually get to pick this) international compliance and related work. I'd prefer to live in Boston (assuming in the US), but I'd be okay with somewhere like Chicago. (I grew up in MA and went to undergrad just outside of Boston. I have many strong ties to the legal community and business community in Boston and MA in general, so MA seems to make the most sense ties-wise.)

Accepted to Suffolk, BU, and BC - no word on scholarships yet.
Accepted with a full tuition scholarship for all three years at UConn.
-I know that UConn gets a lot of hate on these boards. However, I do like their program and school in general. Their location isn't really desirable IMO, but that's because I'm looking for more of a city like Boston than Hartford. Also, I'm looking at their international programs such as the ability to travel abroad for the third year and graduate in three years with the JD/LLM. I think that, since I know I am interested in int'l and comparative law, this would make sense. (BU has a similar program.)

Applied and am waiting to hear from Columbia (not really interested in living in NYC, though), UChicago, Stanford. I was planning on applying to Yale, but life happened and the app got pushed off until now.

I know that it's late in the cycle, but I have just been able to start thinking about/looking at other places to move to (due to some outside factors that aren't really relevant to all of you). Should I apply to places such as Michigan, Minnesota, or anywhere else? I've been looking at these and then some others, like Utah, Illinois, etc. (I'm okay with most areas on the country.) If it is pointless to do so this late in the cycle, I just won't bother - especially given the cost.

I'm interested in hearing what people have to suggest on here. I'm thinking that I might throw in one or two more applications to see what happens.

I'm also interested in seeing what people say about UConn full ride versus other schools at lower scholly or full price, since I don't know what I'll get at them yet.

[blink]

Some thoughts...

1) Consider a retake if you think you could get up above the 170 threshold.

2) Don't bother with the app to Yale. The app fee would be better spent on lottery tickets.

3) If you don't mind your current job, I'd stay there a year or two...schools like the solid WE.

4) If 3), then apply early in the cycle you eventually choose.

5) I'd stay away from UCONN. Retake and snag an MVP or higher, or a big scholly at BU

[Lincoln]

Cornell places well in Boston (I know several people in c/o 2013 who are going to good firms there), and you have a decent shot with your numbers, although you are a little late in the game. It also gives you more options outside Boston than BU, should you change your mind. I would also apply to GULC, though I know next to nothing about how they place in Boston.

Also most schools will allow you to spend at least a semester abroad as a 3L regardless of your program. The LLM won't really be an advantage to you in terms of job search, and may actually be a bit of a disadvantage if it means you have to give up a rad summer job to study abroad.

(This is all assuming you're not retaking, etc.)

[Lincoln]

And forget about YHS. That money is better spent on drugs.

[lawnon]

Some thoughts...

1) Consider a retake if you think you could get up above the 170 threshold.

2) Don't bother with the app to Yale. The app fee would be better spent on lottery tickets.

3) If you don't mind your current job, I'd stay there a year or two...schools like the solid WE.

4) If 3), then apply early in the cycle you eventually choose.

5) I'd stay away from UCONN. Retake and snag an MVP or higher, or a big scholly at BU

1. I considered this, but I honestly didn't have time and was looking at BU/BC mostly, so it didn't matter. (I definitely see this. I had hoped to score above 170 originally, but I was working and in school while studying, because I simply couldn't take time off to study just for the LSAT, frustratingly enough.)

2. Understood.

3. I'm set to leave the job in May, because I took over for someone who went on maternity leave. I could work at a law office again, but like I briefly mentioned, I already do have WE - about 5 years in a law office, a few at an accounting office, and then my current in a big corporation.

4. Yeah, I know I should have applied earlier. I had a huge list that I narrowed down to 6 solids and 2 reaches for this cycle. I then realized I probably should have thrown out a few more apps, which is why I made this - to see what others think. Depending on that, I may end up taking more time off (I definitely understand the benefit) or just going with my current plan. Knowing myself, I could also be questioning it because I'm bored and like to give myself extra work - hence the post.

5. Thanks! Why stay away from UConn, specifically? (I'm hoping to get/negotiate a scholarship at BU.)

Cornell places well in Boston (I know several people in c/o 2013 who are going to good firms there), and you have a decent shot with your numbers, although you are a little late in the game. It also gives you more options outside Boston than BU, should you change your mind. I would also apply to GULC, though I know next to nothing about how they place in Boston.

Also most schools will allow you to spend at least a semester abroad as a 3L regardless of your program. The LLM won't really be an advantage to you in terms of job search, and may actually be a bit of a disadvantage if it means you have to give up a rad summer job to study abroad.

(This is all assuming you're not retaking, etc.)

Thanks for the info on Cornell - helpful!

I know that most schools have abroad options (and that you can do other schools' abroad options); I just liked the LLM option, which seems like it would be helpful should I pursue comparative law specifically. I'm not sure how that would affect the summer job (unless you are talking about them possibly starting earlier, but I don't believe they do), since it would be a fall/spring abroad (and I wouldn't leave early). Care to elaborate?

I'm not planning on retaking, simply due to a) I wouldn't want to go down in score and b) I don't have time to afford to it to definitely increase my score.