3.2/160 Wisconsin-Madison Forum

[bugsy33]

Wisconsin is my top choice, but I'm pretty confused as to my chances.

I should be somewhere around the 30% mark for a typical incoming class, so I think the waitlist will be likely. However, LSN estimates that "89% of similar applicants have been accepted," which seem pretty wacky to me. They have a pretty high acceptance rate at 40%, but a low matriculation rate of 10%, which gives me hope that I could get off the waitlist, if I get waitlisted.

Retaking isn't an option, my gf finishes school this year and has to find a teaching job, it would be unrealistic to expect her to work for a year in MI, and then quit and find a job in WI (she's coming with me).

I'm willing to pay full ticket, it seems like the perfect fit for me (location, employment, prestige, athletics ect.). Plus the instate tuition would be pretty cheap for 2L and 3L years.

Does anyone have an insight into the admissions game up there in Madison?

160/3.2
Criminal Justice
2+ years full time experience, 1+ year as a Private Investigator
Politically active throughout college
ROTC
Community Service
1 C&F Problem

[Maven]

Don't expect to get in-state tuition for your second and third year.
Unlike other states, Wisconsin will not readily give it.
I know someone who went there undergrad, worked during the summers in Wisconsin, voted there, had a Wisconsin driver's license etc. and the school rejected his application for in state tuition.
Only after litigation was he able to get what he wanted.

[BigZuck]

You're looking at 150K debt at graduation if you went there at sticker. That's a non-starter, you have got to retake the LSAT dude. You almost certainly won't get a job that can service that kind of debt.

[BigZuck]

Don't expect to get in-state tuition for your second and third year.
Unlike other states, Wisconsin will not readily give it.
I know someone who went there undergrad, worked during the summers in Wisconsin, voted there, had a Wisconsin driver's license etc. and the school rejected his application for in state tuition.
Only after litigation was he able to get what he wanted.

Litigation? Like what, he learned about domicile in civ pro?

[Hitchensian]

Wisconsin is my top choice, but I'm pretty confused as to my chances.

I should be somewhere around the 30% mark for a typical incoming class, so I think the waitlist will be likely. However, LSN estimates that "89% of similar applicants have been accepted," which seem pretty wacky to me. They have a pretty high acceptance rate at 40%, but a low matriculation rate of 10%, which gives me hope that I could get off the waitlist, if I get waitlisted.

Retaking isn't an option, my gf finishes school this year and has to find a teaching job, it would be unrealistic to expect her to work for a year in MI, and then quit and find a job in WI (she's coming with me).

I'm willing to pay full ticket, it seems like the perfect fit for me (location, employment, prestige, athletics ect.). Plus the instate tuition would be pretty cheap for 2L and 3L years.

Does anyone have an insight into the admissions game up there in Madison?

160/3.2
Criminal Justice
2+ years full time experience, 1+ year as a Private Investigator
Politically active throughout college
ROTC
Community Service
1 C&F Problem

Retake. A friend of mine with a similar GPA and a 171 scored a full ride. Granted, he was a resident, but nonetheless it appears WI will overlook a sub-par GPA with the right LSAT score.

[Chriz]

I would definitely say you need to retake. Maybe move to Wisconsin in the meantime. It might help you establish residency. I myself will be attending UW this year after 3 years of trying. I was wait listed and rejected the first two years with better numbers than you and worse softs. Definitely retake. For your future.

[Maven]

Litigation? Like what, he learned about domicile in civ pro?


Nothing too fancy. He looked at the governing statute regarding student residency, observed that he met all of the criteria and successfully appealed. His first case and he was awarded the equivalent of $40,000 in tuition savings!

In any event, anyone considering Wisconsin from out of state, should not expect to obtain residency status without meeting all of the state criteria.

[Serett]

I would definitely say you need to retake. Maybe move to Wisconsin in the meantime. It might help you establish residency. I myself will be attending UW this year after 3 years of trying. I was wait listed and rejected the first two years with better numbers than you and worse softs. Definitely retake. For your future.

All of this. You could possibly get in, but I don't love your chances; regardless, it's not worth it for you. If you're dead-set on Wisconsin, try to live/work there the year beforehand to qualify for in-state tuition while studying to retake the LSAT.

[bugsy33]

Thanks for all the advice. Unfortunately I'm not in a position to dedicate enough time for a retake. I hope Wisconsin will roll the dice on me. I'm gunning for PI law, so hopefully LRAP will help mitigate some of my debt. Furthermore I've noticed that their LSAT median has dropped a point each year for the last three years. Last year it was a 161. Considering that this year might be the ultimate bottoming out of law apps I am hopeful that I will have a decent chance of admission. At a point below the LSAT median and GPA at the 25% I have to imagine I'll at least get a look.

[McAvoy]

Thanks for all the advice. Unfortunately I'm not in a position to dedicate enough time for a retake. I hope Wisconsin will roll the dice on me. I'm gunning for PI law, so hopefully LRAP will help mitigate some of my debt. Furthermore I've noticed that their LSAT median has dropped a point each year for the last three years. Last year it was a 161. Considering that this year might be the ultimate bottoming out of law apps I am hopeful that I will have a decent chance of admission. At a point below the LSAT median and GPA at the 25% I have to imagine I'll at least get a look.

This is a really not good idea. The job outlook is *horrible* and you will almost certainly not be able to pay back an out of state loan without PSLF (which will not be easy to find in a cool place to live). There are like five people per class who get a job that can service that debt reasonably.

Just move to WI with your GF and get instate tuition. That one year will save you 90 grand in tuition, and give you time to retake. Going to UW for free is defensible. Going to UW for well over 100k is batshit crazy.

[BigZuck]

Thanks for all the advice. Unfortunately I'm not in a position to dedicate enough time for a retake. I hope Wisconsin will roll the dice on me. I'm gunning for PI law, so hopefully LRAP will help mitigate some of my debt. Furthermore I've noticed that their LSAT median has dropped a point each year for the last three years. Last year it was a 161. Considering that this year might be the ultimate bottoming out of law apps I am hopeful that I will have a decent chance of admission. At a point below the LSAT median and GPA at the 25% I have to imagine I'll at least get a look.

Out of state+ below both medians+ C&F issue= likely auto-ding.

150k debt would be insane at a school like this. You have got to retake. Your financial future hangs in the balance here.

[Chriz]

Thanks for all the advice. Unfortunately I'm not in a position to dedicate enough time for a retake. I hope Wisconsin will roll the dice on me. I'm gunning for PI law, so hopefully LRAP will help mitigate some of my debt. Furthermore I've noticed that their LSAT median has dropped a point each year for the last three years. Last year it was a 161. Considering that this year might be the ultimate bottoming out of law apps I am hopeful that I will have a decent chance of admission. At a point below the LSAT median and GPA at the 25% I have to imagine I'll at least get a look.

Ironically, you will probably have all the time in the world for a retake after you graduate without a steady well-paying job. There are only 3 schools I can think of that I would go to when I just barely got in and UW is not even close to being one of them. Find some time, retake and then make UW pay you to attend. I am on your side but I definitely hope they reject you and give you a chance to salvage your future.

[bugsy33]

Out of state+ below both medians+ C&F issue= likely auto-ding.

150k debt would be insane at a school like this. You have got to retake. Your financial future hangs in the balance here.

Bumping, Accepted!! Hoping there is some scholarship money in the works If not, Illinois with $$$ will be my choice.

[unodostres]

He said it was likely. Still shit options

[Chriz]

Wow It is kind of amazing how quickly the standards are dropping. I was rejected the last 2 years from UW with a 3.49/160. Maybe being OOS helps somehow.

[Nova]

retake in june for money

[lastsamurai]

retake in june for money

[bugsy33]

[quote="lastsamurai"][quote="Nova"]retake in june for money[/quote][/quote]

I'm trying to leverage a 90k scholarship from UIUC against UW. Hopefully they'll bite and give me instate equivalent tuition. If not, nbd, Wisconsin may be ranked higher in US News, but every single employment and quality jobs score has UIUC WAY ahead of UW. I'd be perfectly happy at UIUC with their scholarship offer.

[McAvoy]

I'm trying to leverage a 90k scholarship from UIUC against UW. Hopefully they'll bite and give me instate equivalent tuition. If not, nbd, Wisconsin may be ranked higher in US News, but every single employment and quality jobs score has UIUC WAY ahead of UW. I'd be perfectly happy at UIUC with their scholarship offer.

You're not actually going to make your SO move to Champaign, right? .

Assuming your SO can cover your COL and you end with like 70K in debt, UIUC is a superior option to OOS UW. UW will not come anywhere close to matching their offer, either.

[bugsy33]

You're not actually going to make your SO move to Champaign, right? .

Assuming your SO can cover your COL and you end with like 70K in debt, UIUC is a superior option to OOS UW. UW will not come anywhere close to matching their offer, either.

She's a small town girl, she'll fit in well in Champaign. Although I don't think she's going to cover my COL, it will definitely help sharing everything with her.

[DportIA]

retake in june for money

I'm trying to leverage a 90k scholarship from UIUC against UW. Hopefully they'll bite and give me instate equivalent tuition. If not, nbd, Wisconsin may be ranked higher in US News, but every single employment and quality jobs score has UIUC WAY ahead of UW. I'd be perfectly happy at UIUC with their scholarship offer.

LOL at still even considering US News rankings as part of the decision with LST School Reports being in existence.

[Pragmatic Gun]

retake in june for money

I'm trying to leverage a 90k scholarship from UIUC against UW. Hopefully they'll bite and give me instate equivalent tuition. If not, nbd, Wisconsin may be ranked higher in US News, but every single employment and quality jobs score has UIUC WAY ahead of UW. I'd be perfectly happy at UIUC with their scholarship offer.

LOL at still even considering US News rankings as part of the decision with LST School Reports being in existence.

This. LST or ATL should be your guides.

[paayter]

Wisconsin is my top choice, but I'm pretty confused as to my chances.

I should be somewhere around the 30% mark for a typical incoming class, so I think the waitlist will be likely. However, LSN estimates that "89% of similar applicants have been accepted," which seem pretty wacky to me. They have a pretty high acceptance rate at 40%, but a low matriculation rate of 10%, which gives me hope that I could get off the waitlist, if I get waitlisted.

Retaking isn't an option, my gf finishes school this year and has to find a teaching job, it would be unrealistic to expect her to work for a year in MI, and then quit and find a job in WI (she's coming with me).

I'm willing to pay full ticket, it seems like the perfect fit for me (location, employment, prestige, athletics ect.). Plus the instate tuition would be pretty cheap for 2L and 3L years.

Does anyone have an insight into the admissions game up there in Madison?

160/3.2
Criminal Justice
2+ years full time experience, 1+ year as a Private Investigator
Politically active throughout college
ROTC
Community Service
1 C&F Problem

good point on this...most 0ls think, just like myself when we first apply, we see these amazing instate residency tuition prices...and then go there and get screwed over. there is a whole section in top law schools on what states are easy to get residency, and what are tough.