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As a non-traditional splitter I'm not too sure what to make of this cycle. Also, that LSAT isn't official; I'm taking it in October. I know the common response to this is take the test and then post, but I'm going to have to have everything squared away and ready to apply as soon as I get my results. All of timed PTs have been 171-176 (4 tests) though so I think 173 is a pretty safe estimate. (Of course I'm still studying and am secretly supremely confident I'll break 175 on game day, sure you've never heard that)

As far as grade trends, I went to UG out of high school for 2 years and dropped out with a 2.33 to enlist (was not on probation, voluntarily left). That was 2004, fast forward to 2009 I went back to finish up my undergrad and got a 3.78 while there. In my MBA program (USNews 49) I have a 3.76 (Just finished my first year, graduating in June2013).

Softs are pretty much what you'd expect from a veteran, deployments to both theatres. Also aside from my military experience my other work experience is some part time consulting for a defense contractor during my 1st year of the MBA, and I'm a strategy analyst now over the summer and will continue with this job for the 2nd year.

One thing I have going for me is my Dean at the UG I graduated from spent 10 years in Afghanistan in the peace corps and speaks fluent dari, so as a former dari linguist he loved me and I did a bunch of outside work with him on a one on one basis for various Afghan related projects. So I'm expecting a very solid LOR from him (he also wrote my LOR for the MBA).

So what are my chances? I'm thinking lower T14 (NU probably) or UCLA (California native here). And how much would you predict a 173 vs a 176+ would affect my chances at the splitter friendly lower T14?

Also, I know this is a huge reach because they are very focused on GPA, but what are my chances at UCB? I only ask because I have read on the forums that they are very veteran friendly, and have a much more holistic approach where my unique story may hold more weight. Either way expecting to hear slim to none so be brutal.

Thanks guys.

If you can actually get the 173, blanket the T14 from Columbia down, GW, WUSTL and a few more "safeties." You have a good shot at a T14. If you're worried you can try ED'ing UVA, Michigan, Northwestern, GULC or if you wanna reach you can ED to one of CCN. Read Samara's post on how to be a successful splitter: Link. Your vet status is a huge soft and you should have a pretty good cycle.

This advice is all useless until you get an actual score.

Sorry to say, but there is no 'safe' estimate when it comes to the LSAT. Mistakes happen on test day, problems with the testing center, who knows. Posters on TLS will be more than happy to give you advice when you have an actual LSAT score. Until then, browse around lawschoolnumbers.com to give yourself an idea of your chances (even despite your nontraditional status).

InGoodFaith wrote:Sorry to say, but there is no 'safe' estimate when it comes to the LSAT. Mistakes happen on test day, problems with the testing center, who knows. Posters on TLS will be more than happy to give you advice when you have an actual LSAT score. Until then, browse around lawschoolnumbers.com to give yourself an idea of your chances (even despite your nontraditional status).

Who cares? Why does it matter if the LSAT is hypothetical or not? You don't know this guy. He's asking a "what if" question. Who cares if your answer might not apply to the situation he will eventually find himself in?

Chickensoup wrote:

InGoodFaith wrote:Sorry to say, but there is no 'safe' estimate when it comes to the LSAT. Mistakes happen on test day, problems with the testing center, who knows. Posters on TLS will be more than happy to give you advice when you have an actual LSAT score. Until then, browse around lawschoolnumbers.com to give yourself an idea of your chances (even despite your nontraditional status).

Who cares? Why does it matter if the LSAT is hypothetical or not? You don't know this guy. He's asking a "what if" question. Who cares if your answer might not apply to the situation he will eventually find himself in?

Sweet necro. But anyway, I'm guessing OP would care if I gave him advice based on a hypo and it turned out to not happen that way. I'd be more than happy to help once the score is set in stone, but right now there's nothing any of us can say except study hard and do well.

And when people clog up the forum with hypotheticals it makes it harder to see people who actually have a score and are not (possible) wastes of time. Until people have actual scores it's all just bullshitting.

UnamSanctam wrote:And when people clog up the forum with hypotheticals it makes it harder to see people who actually have a score and are not (possible) wastes of time. Until people have actual scores it's all just bullshitting.

So meta, thanks for the bump.

PT tests are now 175-178 too FWIW

mrizza wrote:

UnamSanctam wrote:And when people clog up the forum with hypotheticals it makes it harder to see people who actually have a score and are not (possible) wastes of time. Until people have actual scores it's all just bullshitting.

So meta, thanks for the bump.

PT tests are now 175-178 too FWIW

Posting less than 12 hours from the previous post in What Are My Chances isn't really a big deal. I wasn't ripping on you, I was responding to Chickensoup's post.