3.57/168, where do I stand? Forum

[Curry30]

3.57 LSAC GPA at a large public school (in the top 50 USNWR)
First LSAT: 165
Second LSAT: 168 (closer to my PT's)
Solid (but nothing mind-blowing) softs and recommendations


UVA
Penn
Michigan
Northwestern
Georgetown
Cornell
UCLA
USC
GWU
U of Wash

I know that UVA, Penn and Michigan are reaches. I'm really hoping for Georgetown, Northwestern or UCLA. Do you guys think I could get into any of those three without a retake?

[hephaestus]

Potentially Georgetown or Cornell. I doubt you would get NU at your
Current numbers. Why is UCLA on your top list and not cornell?

[cotiger]

[Curry30]

ImNoScar, I'm not in love with Cornell's location but if I didn't get into Georgetown then I could choose Cornell over UCLA because of ranking. I would be ecstatic with getting into one of Cornell or GULC, but I'm nervous because it seems like I'm right on the cusp. Maybe I should throw apps at Vandy and UT Austin?

Do you think I'm a lock for UCLA? I saw the mylsn chart but that looks like it's based off a really small sample size.

[jbagelboy]

ImNoScar, I'm not in love with Cornell's location but if I didn't get into Georgetown then I could choose Cornell over UCLA because of ranking. I would be ecstatic with getting into one of Cornell or GULC, but I'm nervous because it seems like I'm right on the cusp. Maybe I should throw apps at Vandy and UT Austin?

Do you think I'm a lock for UCLA? I saw the mylsn chart but that looks like it's based off a really small sample size.

Ranking isnt the issue. Its job prospects. Cornell nearly doubles your shot at well paying or prestigious FT/JD employment relative to UCLA, even in years where they are 1-2 places apart in USNWR

[hephaestus]

ImNoScar, I'm not in love with Cornell's location but if I didn't get into Georgetown then I could choose Cornell over UCLA because of ranking. I would be ecstatic with getting into one of Cornell or GULC, but I'm nervous because it seems like I'm right on the cusp. Maybe I should throw apps at Vandy and UT Austin?

Do you think I'm a lock for UCLA? I saw the mylsn chart but that looks like it's based off a really small sample size.

Ranking isnt the issue. Its job prospects. Cornell nearly doubles your shot at well paying or prestigious FT/JD employment relative to UCLA, even in years where they are 1-2 places apart in USNWR

+1
You should tolerate a different location for three years because it could be the difference from a good job out of law school and a bad one. I would shoot for the lower T14 over UCLA.

[phillywc]

Cornell added ED this year, right? I'd be surprised if you don't cop Cornell with ED. Still, I'd retake with your numbers. 3 points gives you a great shot at NMVP

[Curry30]

Good points. Now that I think about it, if Cornell is the only T14 I get into then I will very likely go there. Where are you getting the info on the relative law school job prospects?

If I'm going to ED I would probably rather go to Georgetown than Cornell. Do you think Georgetown ED would give me a better shot than RD? I'm guessing I wouldn't be getting money from either of them anyway. Or maybe I should just stick to RD and hope to get into one?

[hephaestus]

Good points. Now that I think about it, if Cornell is the only T14 I get into then I will very likely go there. Where are you getting the info on the relative law school job prospects?

If I'm going to ED I would probably rather go to Georgetown than Cornell. Do you think Georgetown ED would give me a better shot than RD? I'm guessing I wouldn't be getting money from either of them anyway. Or maybe I should just stick to RD and hope to get into one?

Look at Law School Transparency. You will notice a cavernous difference in the large firm placement between Cornell and UCLA. And Georgetown may be tempting, but Cornell actually offers significantly better employment opportunities. I would not ED Georgetown, but rather apply RD to the entire lower T14 and see what happens.