Top Law Schools

Hey everyone,

Just took the LSAT for the second time (cancelled in December unfortunately) and scored a disappointing 166 after PTing in the 174-176 range. I'm currently planning on retaking in October to get into the 170s, but I'm curious about my chances at these schools:

UVA
Michigan
Duke
Northwestern

I graduated Cum Laude with a 3.70 GPA from the #1 rated liberal arts college in the country, and with a 3.9 GPA within my major (Political Science/History/Leadership Studies). I also wrote an Honors Thesis my Senior Year. I have two years worth of work experience in Defense Contracting and Consulting. I'd likely have excellent recommendations from two of my Professors from College. I am non-URM.

I have a buddy who recently got into Duke and Michigan with similar stats (3.72 GPA, 167 LSAT), so I figure there is some kind of hope.

Would I be crazy to apply to one of those schools ED with my current stats? I have dreams of getting into Columbia if my third and final try goes as planned, but if I could get into one of these schools without retaking I would be content.

Retake

3.7 is cum laude at williams? Damn we had some inflated majors at my college lol. Do you assign 30% of the class for latin? 20%? Just curious

Yes you should retake for 170 and you'll be in at NYU and down (Cal a tossup)

def retake for those schools. With apps going down you have a chance off WL for some of these schools but nothing is guaranteed whatsoever. your friend likely got in no joke because he got 1 point higher. Take it from some1 with a 166, that 1 more point actually opens up like 2-4 more schools. As long as you're above the GPA median you'll have a chance (like cornell, georgetown). You're spot on in retaking, and if you were PTing that high you should hit at the bare minimum a 168/9 which will give you a good shot at the schools you listed.

How'd you feel about the test when you walked out? Was it a bubbling error or just a game/reading comp passage you messed up?

Seriously bro, if you're PTing that high you should be golden for an october retake and applications out 11/1. break that 170 and reap the benefits!

retake until 170+. major GPA, UG prestige, and recommendations are irrelevant. work experience will help for jobs, but you gotta get in first. your friend might have been a special case or benefited from a clerical error or poor judgment by the adcom. don't assume you'll have similarly good luck.

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Magnalum wrote:

soj wrote:retake until 170+. major GPA, UG prestige, and recommendations are irrelevant. work experience will help for jobs, but you gotta get in first. your friend might have been a special case or benefited from a clerical error or poor judgment by the adcom. don't assume you'll have similarly good luck.

From looking at LSN, HYPS seem to actually help, and I would assume the top liberal arts school would too. Retake obviously, but still a decent shot with those numbers

I think "decent" is optimistic. OP is below the 25% of nearly every T14 LSAT and at or below the GPA median. Retake

Wouldn't bother applying until you get your score up. Odds aren't good at these schools, and even if you did snag an ED, you're doomed to sticker; whereas just waiting until you master the LSAT and retaking means your dream schools can happen, and these schools could have full rides to them...

I have almost identical numbers but 166 was my third attempt.

If you have a retake left, use it! TLS does recommend retaking for a reason.