Top Law Schools

I have a decent job offer (think 60k in low col area). I want to go to a top 3 school or get a full ride somewhere. Do I have a shot at HYS or will I have to settle for a lesser school?

Looks like you're out at HYS, but there are still a few "lesser" schools that will have you...



I would say retake but it looks like your GPA is what's holding you back

At best, maybe 10-20% at H. Sunk at Y/S.

I have decent softs and will have a year of professional work experience prior to matriculation. Bad gpa due to finishing college a year early (18+ credits every semester). What's the best school I can get into if my gpa does not rise this final semester?

As per the chart above, probably CCN.

Decent softs, a year of work experience and finishing college early are not going to impress anyone, sorry.

I think you have a good shot at NYU on down, and you'll get money at many of the lower T-14! Good luck

Out of curiosity, what gpa and lsat combo would have made top 3 likely?

Also the job has a lot of upward potential, would law school be worth the loss of income and potential loans at the lower ranked universities?

titan747 wrote:Out of curiosity, what gpa and lsat combo would have made top 3 likely?

Your LSAT is already top 3 potential -- especially for a URM. However, if your GPA was at a 3.5 or above, that makes H come into play. A 3.6 or above makes S come into play probably. And a 3.7-3.8 or above makes Yale come into play for you.

titan747 wrote:Also the job has a lot of upward potential, would law school be worth the loss of income and potential loans at the lower ranked universities?

I would say CCN on down to GULC. I think even UCLA, USC, GW, or Emory would be worth it too.

Thanks guys for the responses. What are some schools that you think would award me full tuition plus in scholarship monies?

jacketyellow wrote:

titan747 wrote:Also the job has a lot of upward potential, would law school be worth the loss of income and potential loans at the lower ranked universities?

I would say CCN on down to GULC. I think even UCLA, USC, GW, or Emory would be worth it too.

+ Texas & Vandy... and maybe Fordham too, I mean, since we threw in GW and all.

Even some of the "lesser" schools that would give you scholarships are still very, very good schools. Do you want to work in any particular geographic region?

I have a strong preference to stay in the south (think Houston, Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, St Louis).

titan747 wrote:I have a strong preference to stay in the south (think Houston, Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, St Louis).

If I were you, I would blanket the T14, as well as strong regional schools in the Midwest/South: Emory, WUSTL, Vanderbilt, Texas, etc. You'll have some good options and some money for sure.

nvm

Yes, take a waitlist at Yale for a chance to slave away in debt forever instead of taking a scholarship at a "lower" ranked T14 school.

If you want to stay in the South, I can't think of a compelling reason to take HYorS if you could come out close to debt free elsewhere.

El Principe wrote:Yes, take a waitlist at Yale for a chance to slave away in debt forever instead of taking a scholarship at a "lower" ranked T14 school.

If you want to stay in the South, I can't think of a compelling reason to take HYorS if you could come out close to debt free elsewhere.

That's a fair point. All I was trying to say is that you can go anywhere you want if you really set your mind to it.

OP, if you want HYS, you should retake the LSAT. Don't take this the wrong way, but as a person with a pretty low GPA, and what seemingly appears to be below average LSAT for HYS, you come off as sounding somewhat entitled.

silenttimer wrote:OP, if you want HYS, you should retake the LSAT. Don't take this the wrong way, but as a person with a pretty low GPA, and what seemingly appears to be below average LSAT for HYS, you come off as sounding somewhat entitled.

I would be careful of this too, OP, as you write your personal statements and contact admissions staff. Talking about "lesser" schools does make you sound a little entitled/arrogant. I'm not saying you are entitled or arrogant necessarily, but you may give that impression. Even the lower T14 schools are still great schools, and you don't want to give off this "Oh, Duke/Northwestern/UVA/Michigan/GULC/Cornell, you'd be lucky if I allowed you to shower me with adoration and money in exchange for gracing you with my brilliant presence" vibe.