171/ 3.97 Chance of Stanford??? Forum

[zabava]

Hey guys!

So I just graduated from a T20 school, regular liberal arts double major, average softs.
I'm currently taking a year off - I have a job, but it's not law related, nor is it anything fancy.

My average GPA was 3.97 and I just received my results from the June LSAT - 171.

My top choice is Stanford and I want to apply this cycle.
What do you think I should do to increase my chances?
Personalized letter of rec, personalized PS - I'm already thinking of doing those.

Should I retake? I've gotten up to 176, but my average PT score was 168. However, I am still very disappointed - honestly, I could have studied much, much more.
Any advice?

[dpk711]

You have the numbers. But Stanford, like Yale, is a blackbox.

[zabava]

Any advice to where else I should go?
My dilemma is that I really want to stay in Cali, but the only decent schools there are Berkeley Law and Stanford, and I don't feel like doing another three years at Cal.

One more quick question - LSDAS Cumulative GPA is that they look at during admissions, not my school's average GPA calculation?

[ahnhub]

If you retook and got like 174+ it would probably help you a little at Stanford, but if you really have pretty plain softs it'll be tough. Are you a good writer? Work hard on the PS.

You could get like a full ride at UCLA with those numbers.

[rad lulz]