165/3.18 GW Vs. Emory ED Forum

[nationalphenom]

Hi! Longtime lurker, first time poster.

Just curious as to which of the two I have the best shot at. I know Emory has a 14 day turnaround, but I'd much rather not get locked in if I have a decent chance at GW's full ride.

I realize my gpa is on the lower end, but I hope that a graduate degree & 3 years of work experience can tip the scales a bit. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[gspiel1232]

Yeah man sorry, I see 0% chance that you get GW ED, or RD. If they give it to you, then how are they ever going to attract people with better numbers, ya know? They're clearly desperately trying to cling to their 167 Median now, and the GPA plummeted as a result, but still, nowhere near 3.18. Two below the LSAT median is what kills ya.

Emory is way more likely. If you like emory then I guess I'd throw an ED their way. Don't know much about their ED though.

[nationalphenom]

Yeah man sorry, I see 0% chance that you get GW ED, or RD. If they give it to you, then how are they ever going to attract people with better numbers, ya know? They're clearly desperately trying to cling to their 167 Median now, and the GPA plummeted as a result, but still, nowhere near 3.18. Two below the LSAT median is what kills ya.

Emory is way more likely. If you like emory then I guess I'd throw an ED their way. Don't know much about their ED though.

Yeah, I knew the gpa would be a killer. In that case, do you think I'd be better of just applying to emory rd and shooting for lower t1 schools like iowa/florida/etc. for greater scholarship $ chances?

[akasabian]

Yeah man sorry, I see 0% chance that you get GW ED, or RD. If they give it to you, then how are they ever going to attract people with better numbers, ya know? They're clearly desperately trying to cling to their 167 Median now, and the GPA plummeted as a result, but still, nowhere near 3.18. Two below the LSAT median is what kills ya.

Emory is way more likely. If you like emory then I guess I'd throw an ED their way. Don't know much about their ED though.

Yeah, I knew the gpa would be a killer. In that case, do you think I'd be better of just applying to emory rd and shooting for lower t1 schools like iowa/florida/etc. for greater scholarship $ chances?

Don't have your heart set on scholly $. Your low GPA could be a huge hindrance, and your LSAT isn't outstanding enough to compensate and make you a strong splitter candidate

[gspiel1232]

Yeah man, the GPA isn't the killer as much as the LSAT is (just because its so much easier to bring up).
I'm a splitter also, so I sympathize. (167 3.3) Obv if you can retake, thats the best case scenario, but if you can't, I'd throw apps at emory and then some other state schools probably, as their medians around yours. It's crazy once you get into the mid 160s how much one or two points can make. You might want to throw an app at BC, since you're above their median.

I think a good rule of thumb for this cycle is to throw apps at any school where you're at or above median LSAT....period...

[somewhatwayward]

Don't ED to Emory. Emory is not worth $200K+, which is the amount you will likely have to pay if you are admitted ED. Get fee waivers and apply to T20-T50 schools and T2 schools in areas you want to live. Then compare scholarship offers. Some schools will pay you for your LSAT even though the GPA is not that hot. Where are you from originally? Where did you go to college (region)? Unfortunately some T1 schools might not be a good idea unless you have more ties to the region than just attending law school there. I would worry going to Alabama if I was not from the South.

You should simultaneously prepare to retake the LSAT. Five more points would dramatically change your options. Good luck!

[Nova]

No chance at GW ED. They arent going to give a full ride to someone under both medians. Emory isnt worth sticker. I think applying RD to state schools with medians of 165 and below gives you your best shot at admission with money.

[florida1949]

Don't ED to Emory. Emory is not worth $200K+, which is the amount you will likely have to pay if you are admitted ED. Get fee waivers and apply to T20-T50 schools and T2 schools in areas you want to live. Then compare scholarship offers. Some schools will pay you for your LSAT even though the GPA is not that hot. Where are you from originally? Where did you go to college (region)? Unfortunately some T1 schools might not be a good idea unless you have more ties to the region than just attending law school there. I would worry going to Alabama if I was not from the South.

You should simultaneously prepare to retake the LSAT. Five more points would dramatically change your options. Good luck!

This is great advice. Don't ED anywhere, you're not going to get into any school good enough to justify paying sticker

[nationalphenom]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone! I'll withhold the ED's. Ideally, I would love to eventually live in the Miami area so I've already sent apps to Miami/Florida/Florida State. I'm originally from the Midwest, so I'm targeting Big 10 schools plus a few others like SMU. At this point, retaking would mean taking the February LSAT...which would have minimal effect on this current cycle, right?

[somewhatwayward]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone! I'll withhold the ED's. Ideally, I would love to eventually live in the Miami area so I've already sent apps to Miami/Florida/Florida State. I'm originally from the Midwest, so I'm targeting Big 10 schools plus a few others like SMU. At this point, retaking would mean taking the February LSAT...which would have minimal effect on this current cycle, right?

People do sometimes get increased scholarship money or get admitted from the WL because of a February or June LSAT, so it can definitely have more than a minimal effect. But if you retook in February and got a 170, you should wait a year and reapply with possible targets being UVa, Northwestern, UMich, or Georgetown as well as dramatically increased scholarship money from all these T1s we've been discussing. There is literally no excuse for not waiting a year and reapplying in that situation although you can also contact those T14 schools when your score comes out in March and see if they would accept an application. But that isn't really ideal because there might be less money for you by then.

Also, nationalphenom, what is your race? Are you a URM? That would change things.

[nationalphenom]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone! I'll withhold the ED's. Ideally, I would love to eventually live in the Miami area so I've already sent apps to Miami/Florida/Florida State. I'm originally from the Midwest, so I'm targeting Big 10 schools plus a few others like SMU. At this point, retaking would mean taking the February LSAT...which would have minimal effect on this current cycle, right?

People do sometimes get increased scholarship money or get admitted from the WL because of a February or June LSAT, so it can definitely have more than a minimal effect. But if you retook in February and got a 170, you should wait a year and reapply with possible targets being UVa, Northwestern, UMich, or Georgetown as well as dramatically increased scholarship money from all these T1s we've been discussing. There is literally no excuse for not waiting a year and reapplying in that situation although you can also contact those T14 schools when your score comes out in March and see if they would accept an application. But that isn't really ideal because there might be less money for you by then.

Also, nationalphenom, what is your race? Are you a URM? That would change things.

I wish. I did get into a few safeties already, so I'm not opposed to taking Feb for scholarship money. However, I don't know if I could handle waiting until next year's cycle. I'm 25. I already feel like life is passing me by.

[John_rizzy_rawls]

I wish. I did get into a few safeties already, so I'm not opposed to taking Feb for scholarship money. However, I don't know if I could handle waiting until next year's cycle. I'm 25. I already feel like life is passing me by.

Dude not even. Most common range of incoming classes is 23-28. Shooting up to a 170+ could literally change the trajectory of your life.

Study hard for the LSAT, draft a killer PS, get work experience, apply again next Fall. That's certainly not a year spent poorly by any measure.