3.56/168 with work experience. chances anyone? Forum

[kls120]

took lsat three times already but i really think i could do much better (at least 173) if i take one more time. I'm planning to apply next year so I can take Oct 2014 test. Is this good idea? taking lsat 4 times doesn't sound pretty good to me.

My dream school is Columbia but I know i don't have any chance unless i get 175. I'm currently in the army and will be discharged in July/2014 (will this be considered as work experience?)

what are the chances for t14(especially Upenn, Cornell, Gtown, Northwestern, UVA, and Duke)? Any advice?

[TripTrip]

If you think you can get a 173 then yes, retake. That will open a lot of doors for you.

Military service is a super soft, better than other WE. However, that won't save you from your less than stellar GPA.

With your current numbers, you're maybe a 50/50 shot at Cornell and out everywhere else. http://myLSN.info/yr825e

[mr.hands]

As of now? Cornell is the only one you have a shot at.

With a 175, you're in at most. Probably waitlisted at Duke (they're GPA whorish)

EDIT: Scooped. Also keep in mind that the mylsn.com graph above includes URM applicants AND early decision applicants. Your actual chances are lower

[AlanShore]

If you think you can get a 173 then yes, retake. That will open a lot of doors for you.

Military service is a super soft, better than other WE. However, that won't save you from your dismal GPA.

With your current numbers, you're maybe a 50/50 shot at Cornell and out everywhere else. http://myLSN.info/yr825e

agree with this.. although i don't think his gpa is dismal.. its not great and maybe low in law school standards but dismal is a bit strong

[TripTrip]

If you think you can get a 173 then yes, retake. That will open a lot of doors for you.

Military service is a super soft, better than other WE. However, that won't save you from your dismal GPA.

With your current numbers, you're maybe a 50/50 shot at Cornell and out everywhere else. http://myLSN.info/yr825e

agree with this.. although i don't think his gpa is dismal.. its not great and maybe low in law school standards but dismal is a bit strong

Haha I changed it just before you posted. I meant that it was what was holding him back, and I agree that dismal was too strong.

[kls120]

thanks everyone. Then with current numbers where should I ED? I know UVA loves ED but since I went to college with very similar environment, I'd like to go to schools in bigger cities. Would ED to Northwestern give me some boost?

[El_Gallo]

thanks everyone. Then with current numbers where should I ED? I know UVA loves ED but since I went to college with very similar environment, I'd like to go to schools in bigger cities. Would ED to Northwestern give me some boost?

NW gives a $150,000 scholarship to accepted ED applicants. Needless to say, it is highly competitive. Don't waste your ED there. Also, UVA won't accept you on ED because you are below both their medians. You could ED at Michigan or Georgetown, but your chances there are slim. Cornell is definitely your best bet.

[soccer88]

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[kls120]

thanks guys. But wouldn't taking lsat 4 times hurt my chances?

[mr.hands]

Both anecdotally and empirically, I would say almost all of the above posters are wrong. With your stats and military experience, I think you're at least 50/50 for Duke, in at Georgetown, in at Cornell, and probably in at Michigan (75%). This cycle, certainly, has been atypical, and the bottom end of the Top-14 is taking high 160 LSATs to counter the downturn in test takers. If you can get a retake in, by all means, it could get you into Columbia NYU and Penn with a 170+, but even without you should have stellar options.

http://myLSN.info/hymcwy

This is just false. In your myLSN link you included (1) Early Decisions applicants and (2) 169 LSAT scores (which are the new medians at several places, including Duke and GULC). OP is below both medians, he's not a URM, and its too late to apply ED at most places. You're just wrong.

OP, don't worry about taking a fourth time. The school doesn't care, just focus on bumping your score 2-3 points. Good luck!