Chances? 3.84, 170 (166), good softs, no WE Forum

[lsacqueen]

I will apply in Fall 2012 for admission Fall 2013 to the following:
SCCNMVPBDCG, Texas, Boston, GWU

3.84, 170 (166)

Should I even bother to apply to Harvard with my numbers? How much will my retake hurt me, considering the schools I'm pulling for average (Columbia, NYU)?

Will I get decent money (15k/yr or higher) at any of the top 14?

What would you say my chances are at SCCNMVP? BDCG Texas?


PS: I am very familiar with LSP and LSN already - was looking for more astute observations from knowledgeable TLSers! Thanks!

[20130312]

Retake in June?

[lsacqueen]

Nah. I'm leaving for a study abroad trip before then, and really don't think a third take will look too good.

[soj]

Congrats on the new score. 170 is definitely a sweet spot. You could get should money at MVPD. You haven't listed Northwestern, but I think NU would love to give you a full ride if you apply under their new ED program. Something to consider. Otherwise, don't ED anywhere unless you're dead set on paying sticker at CCN over $-$$$ at a lower T14.

[lsacqueen]

Congrats on the new score. 170 is definitely a sweet spot. You could get should money at MVPD. You haven't listed Northwestern, but I think NU would love to give you a full ride if you apply under their new ED program. Something to consider. Otherwise, don't ED anywhere unless you're dead set on paying sticker at CCN over $-$$$ at a lower T14.

Thanks!!! So relieved about the 170. I didn't list NU because I don't have WE and don't want to take another year off. Since money is a big consideration for me, I probably won't be EDing anyplace like you said. How much money do you think I would get from MVPD?

[soj]

LSN would probably be better for that. Keep in mind some people don't update $ and some people withdraw before hearing about $.

[lsacqueen]

LSN would probably be better for that. Keep in mind some people don't update $ and some people withdraw before hearing about $.

Okay cool. Random question but I've been wondering: what's the difference between $, $$, $$$, and $$$$?

[ahnhub]

I'm a 170/3.88 and I got 54K Michigan, 60K Virginia, full ride UCLA (waiting on Penn, NU). But I think there's a chance you could get more if you blanket T-14, up to maybe 75K at NU/Duke/Virginia. Duke and Virginia seem to like to give a lot of $$$ to people that hit a sweet spot numbers-wise.

I always thought $$$$=full ride and $$$=half ride or better.

[lsacqueen]

I'm a 170/3.88 and I got 54K Michigan, 60K Virginia, full ride UCLA (waiting on Penn, NU). But I think there's a chance you could get more if you blanket T-14, up to maybe 75K at NU/Duke/Virginia. Duke and Virginia seem to like to give a lot of $$$ to people that hit a sweet spot numbers-wise.

I always thought $$$$=full ride and $$$=half ride or better.

Wow, congrats on your $$ and acceptances!! Was 170 your only take or did you retake? That's sort of what I'm worrying about with schools that don't unabashedly admit they consider the highest score.

And I've never heard this sweet spot theory before - is that like where you hit near medians for both LSAT and GPA? Do they really prefer that over a splitter?

[ahnhub]

I'm a 170/3.88 and I got 54K Michigan, 60K Virginia, full ride UCLA (waiting on Penn, NU). But I think there's a chance you could get more if you blanket T-14, up to maybe 75K at NU/Duke/Virginia. Duke and Virginia seem to like to give a lot of $$$ to people that hit a sweet spot numbers-wise.

I always thought $$$$=full ride and $$$=half ride or better.

Wow, congrats on your $$ and acceptances!! Was 170 your only take or did you retake? That's sort of what I'm worrying about with schools that don't unabashedly admit they consider the highest score.

And I've never heard this sweet spot theory before - is that like where you hit near medians for both LSAT and GPA? Do they really prefer that over a splitter?

I had one 170 from 5 yrs ago, and another from June (joined the Army in between. I have no idea how schools viewed this.) Retaking will not hurt you at all. I mean, in cases where you are TRULY borderline maybe...but I doubt it.

And generally yes, being able to hit both medians makes admission slightly easier and more predictable than splitters. I only hit the LSAT median for Virginia/Penn and barely exceeded GPA median and got admitted fairly quickly. It means you're helping maintain both their numbers.

One thing about retaking--did you give your absolute best effort to get the 170, and do you think you came very close to maxing out your potential? I think someone in your position generally shouldn't retake, since you had a significant improvement and you're in a very good position now. But if you were able to consistently get close to 173-74 range, retaking might be an option (especially since you seem to care a lot about $). 173 will probably get you 2/3 of CCN, get $$$ (like well over 100K) at some of lower T-14, and very possibly a full ride at a lower T-14.