Top Law Schools

Hi all,
I have a 173 LSAT score (no others, or cancellations), and a 3.67 lsac gpa. Other than that, I have average extracurricular / work experiences and hopefully can get average letters of rec. I can hopefully generate an average or better personal statement.

I know my GPA puts me out of the running for the top three schools, and probably gives me a very slim-to-none chance at CCN, but was wondering about others, UVA in particular. Looking on LSN however, I can only find a few people accepted at UVA with or near my stats (most are waitlisted).

1) What are my chances (and am I close enough to CCN that I can do something to increase my chances)?
2) UVA is probably my top choice - any tips? (I'm not a VA resident)
3) I would love some kind of merit $$ - any advice on how to increase your chances of getting some?
4) Should I retake to increase my chances at UVA? Honestly, 173 was smack dab in the middle of my PT range, and I'm very happy with it, but if that's what it takes...

Thanks for your time, and have a wonderful Fourth.

Doubt YP would be an issue anywhere in the T14. I'd also say you'll get some CCN action, even if it's off a wait list.

OP, you have more than a 50% percent to chance to snag one of Columbia or Chicago and are almost a lock at NYU. Also as long as you write Why essays, you should get 2 or 3 MVP schools with a large scholarship. Apply early and enjoy picking. I would not ED, with the apps down this year there is a decent chance you can get a small to decent sized scholly at CCN.

You should be good at NYU and have a decent shot at Columbia. UVA waitlists a huge number of applicants, so it's a bit of a black box, especially for non-residents. (It also has something like a 9% overall acceptance rate, almost half that of Columbia or NYU). I had a similar GPA and slightly higher LSAT and was a waitlist at UVA, Penn, and Harvard and got in at CCN. Unfortunately, your personal statement and the random luck of your applicant class' demographics will likely decide your fate at UVA. Good luck.

Forgot to mention that retaking would probably only be helpful for merit $$ at CCN. It would only marginally help you at UVA, as you are already well over median with a 173. My guesstimate is that you would probably get somewhere between 25-50k over 3 years with a 173 and 50-100k over 3 years with a 176+. Always hard to predict, and this year was particularly generous to high LSATs, but it wouldn't be the worst idea to retake for $.

From what I understand, you will probably get into one if not more of CCN. You are also in for some money at the lower T14. Enjoy the rest of your summer and just work on getting some good recommendations/essays out.

I do not think YP will be an issue either. But if you think it could be one, just make some "Why X" essays to schools where it could be an issue.

Would an ED to Chi significantly boost OP's chances there?

I have similar numbers and am curious.

JJJ123 wrote:Would an ED to Chi significantly boost OP's chances there?

I have similar numbers and am curious.

Yeah it would, but you're still a sub-25 GPA splitter, so I wouldn't hold my breath on getting in. If it's by far your first choice, then maybe ED.

Thanks for all the great info!

I have done some more research on UVA, and what's really worrying me is that I kind find many people on LSN that were accepted with or near my stats. In fact, most are waitlisted or rejected, and some (like MattLiv) have considerably better profiles and were waitlisted.

After visiting and writing a why UVA paragraph, what else can I do to improve my chances?

Also, is there anyway to communicate to UVA that they're my top choice, if financial considerations were completely excluded from the decision? I don't want to apply early because $ is important to me, but all else equal, I would probably choose UVA above others. I'm trying to find a way to communicate this but not sure how it would come across.

firstimer wrote:Thanks for all the great info!

I have done some more research on UVA, and what's really worrying me is that I kind find many people on LSN that were accepted with or near my stats. In fact, most are waitlisted or rejected, and some (like MattLiv) have considerably better profiles and were waitlisted.

After visiting and writing a why UVA paragraph, what else can I do to improve my chances?

Also, is there anyway to communicate to UVA that they're my top choice, if financial considerations were completely excluded from the decision? I don't want to apply early because $ is important to me, but all else equal, I would probably choose UVA above others. I'm trying to find a way to communicate this but not sure how it would come across.

Just out of curiosity, why is UVA your top choice excluding money?

Based on LSN, you are almost guaranteed NYU. CC is more of a toss up (I'd guess around 50/50). It will really depend on the future quality of apps imo.

moonman157 wrote:

firstimer wrote:Thanks for all the great info!

I have done some more research on UVA, and what's really worrying me is that I kind find many people on LSN that were accepted with or near my stats. In fact, most are waitlisted or rejected, and some (like MattLiv) have considerably better profiles and were waitlisted.

After visiting and writing a why UVA paragraph, what else can I do to improve my chances?

Also, is there anyway to communicate to UVA that they're my top choice, if financial considerations were completely excluded from the decision? I don't want to apply early because $ is important to me, but all else equal, I would probably choose UVA above others. I'm trying to find a way to communicate this but not sure how it would come across.

Just out of curiosity, why is UVA your top choice excluding money?

Had a really good experience when I visited, and have a fair amount of friends who've attended the law school or are in law school and love it. It seems like a great combination of a friendly student body with a still-rigorous intellectual environment.

Unfortunately, money is still important (if there's any left for me after the higher-ranked folks ), so I can't really apply ED. It's weird that higher-ranked schools like NYU are more predictable, but I'm trying to see what I can do to avoid the waitlist / rejection at UVA if possible.

Enjoy getting into whichever law school you want.

MattLiv12 wrote: (It also has something like a 9% overall acceptance rate, almost half that of Columbia or NYU).

half of NYU, maybe. But not CLS...

A quick glance on law school predictor shows you have a decent chance at most of the T-14 outside HYS.

JJJ123 wrote:Would an ED to Chi significantly boost OP's chances there?

I have similar numbers and am curious.

It could, but I ED there, was WLd, and have LOCI'd pretty hard w/o getting in. Splitters are kind of a crapshoot at Chi; I think CLS would be better.