160/174 3.89 Non-URM, t14 chances Forum

[Spritzpiggy]

So, as the subject suggests, I am curious what my chances are within the t14, particularly HYS and CCN. I took the LSAT, scored low, and decided not to go directly to law school, began working, and retook in 2011 and scored a 174. My GPA is 3.89 from a southern state school with a serious football problem (not much as far as incredible academic prestige though). I will have three years work experience by the time I apply, and have some good softs as far as internships and volunteering go. But most t14s say they average your LSAT scores - my 167 average as a non-URM does not even put me in spitting distance to CCN. Can anyone offer some suggestions, success, or failure stories? Thanks in advance

[Smumps]

Enjoy HS, insane $$ everywhere else, who knows about Y.

[smaug_]

Schools don't average anymore. If you're tied with someone it might hurt you, but you shouldn't be concerned at all. mylsn.info should be able to give you an idea of where you stand. (Utterly safe at CCN, probably in at H)

[splitsplat]

Only Harvard a few other schools still average. You are definitely in at multiple T14s w/money, just not sure which. Will just be a choice of where you want to be + scholly negotiations.

http://myLSN.info/dispresults.php?sk=5d4ml

[Spritzpiggy]

Wow, thanks guys. I truly still believe Im a long shot, I don't want to get cocky before I m actually accepted but I truly appreciate the positive feedback. Im writing an addendum to address my LSAT difference...basically it just says the second score reflects the person I am now and that I wasn't as decided on law school the first time. I truly don't have a much better reason. Any suggestions on that? Some schools explicitly ask you to comment on the score jump when its so big

[splitsplat]

That's a terrible idea, don't write a LSAT addendum.

[Spritzpiggy]

Appreciate the honesty. Anyone else agree? I simply don't want it to appear I can't follow directions. (ie: Chicago's website specifically says any large differences in LSAT scores should be explained in an addendum) thanks!

[smaug_]

That's a terrible idea, don't write a LSAT addendum.

[top30man]

Appreciate the honesty. Anyone else agree? I simply don't want it to appear I can't follow directions. (ie: Chicago's website specifically says any large differences in LSAT scores should be explained in an addendum) thanks!

Addendums don't really matter. It has more of a chance at making you look bad than good. You'll clean up this cycle. Don't worry about an addendum.

[Spritzpiggy]

Man, I wish you guys were the adcoms

[Samara]

Only Harvard a few other schools still average. You are definitely in at multiple T14s w/money, just not sure which. Will just be a choice of where you want to be + scholly negotiations.

http://myLSN.info/dispresults.php?sk=5d4ml

Harvard doesn't average anymore and neither do any other schools, despite what they may say.

[splitsplat]

well damn them and their lying websites then.

[ifigotoschool]

Appreciate the honesty. Anyone else agree? I simply don't want it to appear I can't follow directions. (ie: Chicago's website specifically says any large differences in LSAT scores should be explained in an addendum) thanks!

Addendums don't really matter. It has more of a chance at making you look bad than good. You'll clean up this cycle. Don't worry about an addendum.

I already sent a PM to the OP, but I just wanted to respond to this terrible advice. If a school asks for something, then send it in. If a school does not specifically ask for an addendum, then you should think carefully about sending one in- and only do so if you have a good reason to. But if a school asks for one for a significant score increase, then write a well written, short addendum.

[Spritzpiggy]

It does appear that some schools still do not take just the highest score (according to many hours stalking LSN). It seems multiple test takers take a hit at places like HYS and CCN - hopefully this is changing because of the decrease in top scorers, but in past cycles where more data was available this certainly looks like the trend. If anyone has specifically gotten into (or knows someone who did) get into one of these top schools with a similar split I would be interested in their experience and advice. Thanks

[Samara]

It does appear that some schools still do not take just the highest score (according to many hours stalking LSN). It seems multiple test takers take a hit at places like HYS and CCN - hopefully this is changing because of the decrease in top scorers, but in past cycles where more data was available this certainly looks like the trend. If anyone has specifically gotten into (or knows someone who did) get into one of these top schools with a similar split I would be interested in their experience and advice. Thanks

It might be a mild negative soft, but they report the highest score to USNWR and that is what really matters at the end of the day. There are lots of people who got into YSHCCN with top scores above the median and average scores well below. I know more than a couple myself.

[Spritzpiggy]

Thanks, ill hope for the best. Congrats to those friends on their good scores

[thederangedwang]

Enjoy HS, insane $$ everywhere else, who knows about Y.

overly optimistic

Probably H. S and Y depends on your softs.

You'll get most if not all of the remaining t-14's, but dont expect insane cash unless its lower t-14 (duke, uva). You are not gonna get lots of cash from CLS, NYU and since UChi Ruby money is out now, I dont expect cash from UCHi either

[Spritzpiggy]

I thought this year was the last of the Ruby....? According to the Uchicago website the first to receive it were those beginning in Fall 2011. Since it is only around for three years, the class beginning in Fall 2013 should still be eligible. Regardless, I agree with your assessment and by no means am "expecting" to get into any of HYS. Im really interested in hearing people's similar stories tho so if anyone can post a rough GPA multiple widely divergent LSAT experience,including stats, acceptances and *maybe* money.... that would be greatly appreciated. I will be blanketing the T14 for the most part

[thederangedwang]

I thought this year was the last of the Ruby....? According to the Uchicago website the first to receive it were those beginning in Fall 2011. Since it is only around for three years, the class beginning in Fall 2013 should still be eligible. Regardless, I agree with your assessment and by no means am "expecting" to get into any of HYS. Im really interested in hearing people's similar stories tho so if anyone can post a rough GPA multiple widely divergent LSAT experience,including stats, acceptances and *maybe* money.... that would be greatly appreciated. I will be blanketing the T14 for the most part

most posters here have a LSN profile..for instance..me.

or just go to lawschoolnumbers.com

[Spritzpiggy]

True, and trust me I live there some days. But most ive found dont have such widely divergent LSAT scores - more like a 169/170 that became a 174, or even those who went from 172 to 180 (wth!) anyways, i have only found few profiles on LSN like mine, although I will definitely keep it updated in the hopes someone may benefit from the info in the future and not need to start a thread

(btw, of those two similar profiles one person was basically shuttered from everyone but gtown, nu, and cornell, while the other person had an unbelievable cycle - hence my utter confusion)

[westinghouse60]

So, as the subject suggests, I am curious what my chances are within the t14, particularly HYS and CCN. I took the LSAT in 2009 and got a 160, then decided not to go directly to law school, began working, and retook in 2011 and scored a 174. My GPA is 3.89 from a southern state school with a serious football problem (not much as far as incredible academic prestige though). I will have three years work experience at the State Attorney's Office by the time I apply, and have some good softs as far as internships and volunteering go. But most t14s say they average your LSAT scores - my 167 average as a non-URM does not even put me in spitting distance to CCN. Can anyone offer some suggestions, success, or failure stories? Thanks in advance

After your cycle, the bolded should be required reading for people who refuse to take time off and retake lol. Enjoy CCN/probably H. I think you can probably expect some yield protection WLs from some lower T14s (Penn/UVA), but with some serious $$$ from the ones you do get into.

[soj]

There will be at least one more year of Rubensteins.

[bowser]

I would write a very short addendum. The approach you seem to be thinking about (you were a lot more focused 2nd time around) sounds like a good way to go. Make it really vanilla.

Numbers-wise I think you're pretty close to a lock at Harvard. They don't auto-admit numbers, but at the upper scale like yours they come pretty close. Write Why essays for lower T-14 schools you might be interested in to avoid YP and maybe lock up a full ride or two.

[Spritzpiggy]

I would write a very short addendum. The approach you seem to be thinking about (you were a lot more focused 2nd time around) sounds like a good way to go. Make it really vanilla.

Numbers-wise I think you're pretty close to a lock at Harvard. They don't auto-admit numbers, but at the upper scale like yours they come pretty close. Write Why essays for lower T-14 schools you might be interested in to avoid YP and maybe lock up a full ride or two.

Thanks for the feedback, I'm going to write something short and sweet for the schools that request an addendum and also write Why X for Penn, Northwestern, lower t14s etc. I am surprised by all the positive comments on my chances and hope my cycle goes as predicted here. Darn their lying school websites on multiple LSATS

[Br3v]

Enjoy HS, insane $$ everywhere else, who knows about Y.

overly optimistic

Probably H. S and Y depends on your softs.

You'll get most if not all of the remaining t-14's, but dont expect insane cash unless its lower t-14 (duke, uva). You are not gonna get lots of cash from CLS, NYU and since UChi Ruby money is out now, I dont expect cash from UCHi either

As abort poster mentioned, I though UChi Ruby was still going on this upcoming cycle as its last yr?