Hispanic, first generation college student. Chances? Forum

[Ernesto3298]

I am a Hispanic immigrant, first generation college student (obtained my US citizenship 8 years ago). I graduated last fall with an undergraduate GPA of 4.0 and currently hold an LSAT score of 151. Other than my numerical figures, I have a well written personal statement detailing the numerous social and economic obstacles I have faced and have overcome throughout my educational career. Along with that, I am very committed in public service and have an exceptional resume detailing such commitment.

My dream is to one day serve the immigrant community, therefore I want to practice immigration law. I have been accepted into numerous Tier 4 schools such as: Stetson, Texas Tech, Creighton, Catholic U of A.. I have even received a 3/4ths tuition scholarship from a couple of these schools.

I have applied to three, top tier schools that have really caught my attention based on their immigration law programs and commitment to public service. Those schools are: Fordham, Columbia, and the University of Houston.

What are my chances of getting into any of those three schools? Taking into consideration my background, GPA, LSAT, personal difficulties, and Resume?

I sincerely appreciate any feedback!

[Mr. Somebody]

What kind of Hispanic are you? If Mexican and Puerto Rican, you'll get a URM boost and outperform your numbers. But even then, Columbia and likely Fordham are definitely out. Houston probably out too. Any chance you can retake? Huge waste of a 4.0 and URM status to go to the schools you've been accepted to.

[spleenworship]

If you are Mexican please, for the love of GAWD apply to the T4-15. Please. Please do not waste that 4.0.

Also, please, try to retake.

DO NOT GO TO A Tier 4 FOR ANY REASON. EVEN IF YOU AREN'T GETTING THE URM BOOST, DO NOT GO TO A T4!!!! EVER.

Apply next year, wait a year, retake.

If nothing else, consider UNM (strong hispanic school, big on immigration) as the lowest you are willing to throw away that 4.0 on.

[spleenworship]

What kind of Hispanic are you? If Mexican and Puerto Rican, you'll get a URM boost and outperform your numbers. But even then, Columbia and likely Fordham are definitely out. Houston probably out too. Any chance you can retake? Huge waste of a 4.0 and URM status to go to the schools you've been accepted to.

I don't know, OP will probably get Houston.

[Ernesto3298]

I am Mexican. I took the LSAT in October and scored that 151. I gave it another shot after and took the LSAT in December again and scored a 149!

[hoos89]

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[rinkrat19]

I am Mexican. I took the LSAT in October and scored that 151. I gave it another shot after and took the LSAT in December again and scored a 149!

How's your English? I don't mean just conversational (because you don't sound like a non-native speaker in your posts), but your understanding of little tiny nitpicky nuances in the written language? It seems like when an otherwise academically successful non-native speaker struggles with the LSAT, it's usually a language fluency issue.

If there's ANY possibility of getting some intensive language study in for a year and bringing your LSAT up to 160 or something, you could be in at some of the best schools in the country. It'd be a crime to waste a 4.0 and URM status on the crappy schools that would take a 151.

[Ernesto3298]

One more thing:

Although my hopes are a little down based on my LSAT, I have gotten into two T1 schools so far: Michigan State, and Tulane. Tulane's median LSAT is almost comparable to UofH's and Fordham's. They both have even offered me scholarships. Should that give me hope in my chances into one of three schools I would really like to go to (UofH, Fordham, Columbia)?

[hoos89]

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[bk1]

One more thing:

Although my hopes are a little down based on my LSAT, I have gotten into two T1 schools so far: Michigan State, and Tulane. Tulane's median LSAT is almost comparable to UofH's and Fordham's. They both have even offered me scholarships. Should that give me hope in my chances into one of three schools I would really like to go to (UofH, Fordham, Columbia)?

Michigan State is not a T1 and Tulane would barely qualify. I'm not going to lie if you were really set on going this cycle you should have applied to way more schools in the 20-40 range.

To clarify this post for OP: T1 generally refers to schools ranked 1-50. T2 refers to 51-100. USNWR no longer has this distinction.

@OP: Take a look at how bad law schools are right now. You're a URM with a high GPA. A 160's LSAT would give you a shot at some of the best schools in the country. It would behoove you not to do everything in your power to attempt that.

[spleenworship]

Seriously consider UNM.

More seriously, try again next year. Even if you don't retake the LSAT you need to apply in the T7-85 range. NEVER EVER GO BELOW T100, EVER, IMO.

If you have to go this year, I guess go Tulane. But seriously, you can do better.

[vanwinkle]

Study, retake, get 160+, enjoy choosing between HYS and $$$ at T14.

Seriously.

[Ernesto3298]

Thank you for clarifying the "T1" T2" ordeal. I apologize for the misunderstanding.

So pretty much what everyone here is recommending me to do is wait and appy for the 2013 cycle? With the hopes that I receive a better result on the next LSAT..



Once again, I truly appreciate everyone's input.

[bk1]

Thank you for clarifying the "T1" T2" ordeal. I apologize for the misunderstanding.

So pretty much what everyone here is recommending me to do is wait and appy for the 2013 cycle? With the hopes that I receive a better result on the next LSAT..



Once again, I truly appreciate everyone's input.

It's not only about hoping. It's that the schools you've gotten into so far are just awful. Things are really tough for law students trying to find work these days and even schools in the top 50 are having a tough time. A lot of people wouldn't recommend going to law school if you couldn't get into one of the top 10-20 schools in the country.

[vanwinkle]

How much did you study for the LSAT before? It's a very learnable test, and you can realistically gain 10-15 points with 3 months of solid study. That makes a huge difference because with your background and 4.0 GPA, 160+ seriously puts you into T14/$$$ territory.

If you can get a 4.0 then you have enough study skills to prep for the LSAT and do better. Good luck.

[spleenworship]

Yup. Wait and retake. I recommend powerscore bibles for LSAT prep, personally.

[Ernesto3298]

How much did you study for the LSAT before? It's a very learnable test, and you can realistically gain 10-15 points with 3 months of solid study. That makes a huge difference because with your background and 4.0 GPA, 160+ seriously puts you into T14/$$$ territory.

If you can get a 4.0 then you have enough study skills to prep for the LSAT and do better. Good luck.

I took the Powerscore online class and studied extensively for over 4 months. During my undergraduate career, I have been a very good test taker, writer, and speak solid English. Needless to say I was valedictorian of my class..

I am not going to lie, I let the test get to my head. I could study for 3 hours 3X a week and come the practice test I would just turn off my "logic switch." The same thing happened in HS with my SAT's. So much that my HS advisor suggested I enroll in a community college or tech school instead of a 4year institution.

[hoos89]

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[Helmholtz]

Agree with most of what everybody is saying. A halfway decent LSAT score and you'll be going to Harvard Law School, not Michigan State. Whatever it takes, you need that higher score.

[vanwinkle]

Maybe you should try an in person course (I don't know much about them but I'm sure there's plenty of TLSers who can give great advice on that).

This. An in-person course provides classroom-like structure, but more inportantly, it should provide several proctored prep tests, which will help you get used to taking the test under actual testing conditions. It sounds like that's what you need most.

Most in-person group classes start 2-3 months before a test and run right up to test day, so you're at your peak on test day. If you look now you should be able to find classes starting in March or April for the June test. I recommend Princeton Review, their program has good structure and several proctored test runs.

[Ernesto3298]

The highest I have ever scored on an official practice test was a 159.

I scored a 163, but then came to find out the "practice test" was a knockoff written by Scholastic.

[hoos89]

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[justicefishy]

+1 to the pony. An in-person class, even if it doesn't seem useful at the time, helps teach strategy and a lot of the practices are done in test conditions which is vital. With your GPA, story, and a good LSAT, you could be living the pass/fail life at Yale.

[Ernesto3298]

I cannot thank you all enough for the advice, but I do have one more question.

Lets say I do decide to retake the LSAT in June, apply to the Fall 2013 cycle, and by the grace of God score a 160+ on that June LSAT.

Would my score be looked down upon since I took the LSAT three times?

Would my LORs, Evaluations, and other application materials on my LSAC account be useful for the 2013 cycle?


BTW, I am only 22 years old, have no kids, and have a very supportive family. So waiting a year would might not be too dreadful.


Once again, I humbly thank each and every one of you for your advice.

[hoos89]

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