165 LSAT, 3.8 UG in Legal Studies Forum

[g-rauf]

Greetings. I scored 165 (92nd Percentile) for the Decemeber '11 LSAT. I took a prep course but never got a handle on the logic games section, supposedly the easiest section. Never clicked and would only miss 1 or 2 in the other sections. I have a 3.8 GPA due to failing one college level class as a senior in high school that cannot be removed from my transcripts (stopped going half way through and didn't know I had to withdraw at college as well as my high school). I included this info as additional information.

I am primarily interested in staying in California if at all possible, but what are my odds at the following schools? Best school I could get into?

The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law - Fall 2012
Arizona State University--Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law - Fall 2012
Brigham Young University--J. Reuben Clark Law School - Fall 2012
University of California, Berkeley, School of Law - Fall 2012
University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall) - Fall 2012
University of California, Hastings College of the Law - Fall 2012
University of California Irvine School of Law - Fall 2012
University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law - Fall 2012
Duke University School of Law - Fall 2012
Emory University School of Law - Fall 2012
University of Illinois College of Law - Fall 2012
Pepperdine University School of Law - Fall 2012
University of Southern California, Gould School of Law - Fall 2012
Stanford University Law School - Fall 2012
The University of Texas School of Law - Fall 2012

non-URM
4 years work experience (non-legal)
weak softs (church volunteer work, blah blah...)


I received a lot of waivers, but I realize a lot of those schools (Stanford, probably Boalt) are unrealistic through my research. I'm still finishing my UG coursework, so my GPA will improve, but am cramming to complete by June to have my degree conferred in time. I realize I applied very late in cycle, but should I just put it off a year and apply earlier next year? Thoughts? Any school not on the list I should rethink about applying to, even this late?

[bernaldiaz]

Drag out getting your degree as long as possible and keep bumping up that GPA. Once you complete your first degree it's set in stone.

[bernaldiaz]

Also, the obligatory check lawschoolnumbers.com advice and even take a gander at lawschoolpredictor.com just to gauge your general chances.

[mountaintime]

contact your hs / that college, explain the situation and ask for a retroactive withdraw. some schools allow it under special circumstances (imho, being a hs senior who doesn't know any better is a special circumstance, especially considering your academic performace since then). prolonging undergrad won't do you or your GPA much good. trying to bump 120+ credit hours @ 3.8 with a couple semesters of 4.0 just isn't going to much. that time would be better spend studying for an LSAT retake.

edit: if you're set on applying with your current numbers, you're in good shape everywhere except for Berkeley, UCLA, Duke, USC, Stanford, and Texas.

[CanadianWolf]

Retake since logic games is the easiest test section to master through guided practice.

[mattviphky]

that's amazing you went -1 to -2 in LR and RC...congrats, that is truly difficult. However, if you can master that, I'm sure you can master LG. Even if you missed 6 on the LR's and RC combined, you would have to miss like 15 on LG to get a 165. You should not settle with that score. Even if you got LG down to -5 range (which is very possible with some effort), you could be at least getting 170. 3.8 with a 17x would give you a good chance at the top schools in the nation.

[timbs4339]

You're a perfect candidate for a retake. I had the same problem when I applied (was getting as many as -14 on LG), learned the games, and got a 175 with 0 wrong on LG. Study like a boss, use the Powerscore LG Bible and all the advice on here. Retake in October and you could go to a T6 with $$.

[g-rauf]

The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law - Fall 2012 Accepted

Arizona State University--Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law - Fall 2012 Accepted

Brigham Young University--J. Reuben Clark Law School - Fall 2012 Accepted

University of California, Berkeley, School of Law - Fall 2012 Denied

University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall) - Fall 2012 Haven't heard back from yet

University of California, Hastings College of the Law - Fall 2012 Waitlisted (i was suprised)

University of California Irvine School of Law - Fall 2012 Denied

University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law - Fall 2012 Denied

Duke University School of Law - Fall 2012 Haven't heard from

Emory University School of Law - Fall 2012 Accepted $

University of Illinois College of Law - Fall 2012 Accepted $

Pepperdine University School of Law - Fall 2012 Accepted $

University of Southern California, Gould School of Law - Fall 2012 Denied

Stanford University Law School - Fall 2012 Haven't heard

The University of Texas School of Law - Fall 2012 Denied

Went pretty much like people said it would. still up in the air about everything

[OCPD]

I don't understand why you didn't have a good shot at UCLA & USC. Your numbers were well within their percentiles..

I'm assuming it's because you applied late?

[roaringeagle]

Use the Powerscore LR Bible/Take the Powerscore prep course. I had the same problem with LR.

[g-rauf]

I don't understand why you didn't have a good shot at UCLA & USC. Your numbers were well within their percentiles..

I'm assuming it's because you applied late?

I think their median LSAT is already at 167 or 168 now.