Top Law Schools

GPA is understandably low (Engineering degree wasn't easy), and LSAT isn't great but do I at least have a shot at a midtier school (SUNY Buffalo, University Houston, etc)?

You should also realize that those are all regional schools as well, so if you don't have ties and aren't from the area it may be difficult to achieve gainful employment. GPA may be understandable, but won't garner you many bonus points since it is below 25th. The number matters, not what it is from.

Your engineering degree will not do you any favors for admissions.

You need a stronger LSAT to offset your GPA.

I try not to jump on the retake bandwagon too often, but if you can complete an engineering degree, you can do better than 154 on the LSAT.

Engineers and math majors AVERAGE over a 160 LSAT. The patent bar hiring boost is only relevant if you're median at a t-14 or kickass at a tier 1.

My focus is either University of Houston or SUNY Buffalo; do I have any chance at all with these scores? If so, I was thinking about applying, and if I don't get in, retaking the LSAT and trying again next year. But if my chances are practically 0 then I won't bother...

Your chances would be slim, but even if you did get in, you would get zero $, whereas with a halfway decent score your COA is quite low.

jmh3070 wrote:My focus is either University of Houston or SUNY Buffalo;

Why these two wildly disparate schools?

kalvano wrote:

jmh3070 wrote:My focus is either University of Houston or SUNY Buffalo;

Why these two wildly disparate schools?

Mostly related to location. Currently live in Houston (both fiancee and I work in Houston area), and we're hoping to eventually move to Buffalo. I'd be content with either for law school. I also have a sibling that went to SUNY Buffalo.

Your engineering degree is marketable. A JD from these schools is not. Whatever benefit the knowledge would be for you could be gotten with $3 in late libraey charges. You are harming your future spouse by going with a 154. A JD is only useful for jobs, and these types of schools don't get jobs.

If you're set on that, the answer is retake and go to Houston. You're already starting at $28-29k tuition for in-state and with just a mid-160s score you're looking at $10k/year in scholarships. Bear in mind that if you're targeting schools like that, it's critical to keep your costs down so that you have a chance of recouping your costs quickly (regardless of whether you incur debt to attend).

No shot at uhlc.

Retake or don't go.

Nova wrote:No shot at uhlc.

Retake or don't go.

What score do you think I'd need to have a shot?

jmh3070 wrote:

Nova wrote:No shot at uhlc.

Retake or don't go.

What score do you think I'd need to have a shot?

median would give you a decent shot

Attax wrote:

You should also realize that those are all regional schools as well, so if you don't have ties and aren't from the area it may be difficult to achieve gainful employment. GPA may be understandable, but won't garner you many bonus points since it is below 25th. The number matters, not what it is from.

Quoting since you keep asking. Chances are next to none, and even if you do get in you'll probably be paying sticker which is a bad choice for these schools. Retake.