Need someone to chance me.... Forum

[TexMex22]

I took the LSAT in February and got a 166, an improvement over my 162 in October.
What T14 schools can I get into? Can I get into a good T20 school?

I'm specifically looking at:
Duke
Northwestern
Cornell
Texas
Minnesota
Washington
Arizona State

My LSDAS GPA is a 3.59

So
GPA 3.59, LSAT 166, and I'm a Mexican American male.

[justicefishy]

Retake in June and next October if need be. If you improve that to a 168-169 I'd say you're probably T-14 secure (Duke, Northwestern and Cornell are all doable with URM status). At a 170-172 or so you're looking at MVPB and maybe even CCN if you've got good softs and recs. 173 and above means you'll probably get a T6 or two, and lower T-14 with money. That said, you're a lock already though for Minnesota, Washington, and Arizona State, maybe with money, but with the time you have, not retaking is a horrible idea.

[TexMex22]

Are Washington, Arizona State, and Minnesota that much worse than the other schools on my list?

I was under the impression that they were all stronger in their own regional markets than the T14's on my list.

[Alan]

Hey TexMex. We have similar apps. (3.0/167/ Mexican). Ill be attending UMN in the fall with a scholarship.

You are in decent shape with your GPA to crack the top 14 as a URM. I agree with Fishy that retaking and scoring a few points higher would likely make the difference at a number of schools. Retaking a good score like 166 can be daunting, but im sure you could bump it a few points with enough effort.

I think its importaint to retake if you want t14 because you beome a much more attractive candidate if you are at or above their LSAT median. Right now you would be below both medians at all T14s.

[TexMex22]

I get that but I'm just wondering if a retake is even worth it. Are ASU, UW, and Minnesota really that much worse than the lower T14 that I should retake especially if I can get good scholarship money at those schools?

[Alan]

Are Washington, Arizona State, and Minnesota that much worse than the other schools on my list?

I was under the impression that they were all stronger in their own regional markets than the T14's on my list.

I dont think everyone has quite boughten into ASU yet. They are basically still a peer with UA, despite skyrocketing up the rankings for reporting rather rosey employment data.

Wash and Minn both dominate their state and are great options if you want to live in Wash or Minn.

[Alan]

I get that but I'm just wondering if a retake is even worth it. Are ASU, UW, and Minnesota really that much worse than the lower T14 that I should retake especially if I can get good scholarship money at those schools?

I would say, since you are applying next cylce (I assume), a retake could not hurt and may launch you into the t-14. Also, scoring higher would net you larger schollys at lower ranked schools. You really have nothing to lose except some time and like 200 dollars.

It may or may not be worth the headache, for you personally, to retake in June/October

At the same time, you will do fine at Minn/Wash/ASU/UT/any T30 with a decent scholarship, as long as you are ok with living in the region....

[Richie Tenenbaum]

I get that but I'm just wondering if a retake is even worth it. Are ASU, UW, and Minnesota really that much worse than the lower T14 that I should retake especially if I can get good scholarship money at those schools?

Lower T14 placement numbers crush their numbers. Those aren't bad schools if you get a hefty scholarship and you want to live long term in those states. But if you want more flexibility where you can work and you want to maximize your chances at biglaw, then you need to retake.

Have you currently applied or you looking to apply for next cycle?

[TexMex22]

I get that but I'm just wondering if a retake is even worth it. Are ASU, UW, and Minnesota really that much worse than the lower T14 that I should retake especially if I can get good scholarship money at those schools?

Lower T14 placement numbers crush their numbers. Those aren't bad schools if you get a hefty scholarship and you want to live long term in those states. But if you want more flexibility where you can work and you want to maximize your chances at biglaw, then you need to retake.

Have you currently applied or you looking to apply for next cycle?

So the lower T14 would give me a better chance at biglaw in Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Seattle?

If that's the case then I guess I should retake...

[Richie Tenenbaum]

I get that but I'm just wondering if a retake is even worth it. Are ASU, UW, and Minnesota really that much worse than the lower T14 that I should retake especially if I can get good scholarship money at those schools?

Lower T14 placement numbers crush their numbers. Those aren't bad schools if you get a hefty scholarship and you want to live long term in those states. But if you want more flexibility where you can work and you want to maximize your chances at biglaw, then you need to retake.

Have you currently applied or you looking to apply for next cycle?

So the lower T14 would give me a better chance at biglaw in Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Seattle?

If that's the case then I guess I should retake...

1) What are your ties to Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Seattle?
2) How did you come to the decision that those are the three places you want to work after graduation? (Seems like a pretty random list.) Has that been the plan the whole time or is it more based on getting accepted to these schools?

If you have zero ties to Seattle, than I would think it's going to be difficult to get there from a T14. (I think the market is pretty insular.) If you do already have ties, then yes, I think a T14 would give you a better chance at biglaw in Seattle than UW. (Anyone with better knowledge on this issue feel free to correct me.)

I really don't know about Phoenix and Minneapolis enough to comment on difference between placement and how insular their markets are.

[TexMex22]

I don't have any ties to those areas. I just don't mind going anywhere for law school and working anywhere after graduation as long as I have a good shot at biglaw in that area.

So you're saying that any T14 would give me a better shot at biglaw in Seattle than UW but only if I have ties? That's a bit debilitating. I don't see any reason to attend UW then if it's not a strong enough degree to have a good shot at biglaw in its own market without any ties. Does this trend apply to T14s over a lot of other top regional schools?

If that's really the case then I'm definitely retaking in June.