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3.1/176 Non-traditional
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 7:56 pm
by Splitter1415
Hello,
Eight years ago, I moved to the States as an international student to attend a community college. I didn't do well and received 3 F's from 2 art classes and 1 foreign language class due to hospitalizations. I just didn't know how to ask for help. I didn't speak much English. I was babysitting and waiting tables full-time to support myself while going to school full-time. Anyway, I ended up graduating with a 3.2 GPA and took advantage of the OPT program. I worked to save up to attend a senior college. I ended up getting married and waited to attend school until my green card arrived. I started attending a senior college two years ago while working full-time at a restaurant to support myself and family. I'm about to graduate next year and my GPA here is around 3.5.
I'd like to apply to law schools. However, I don't know what to do. My LSAC GPA is probably between 3.1-3.2. Where should I apply to? I am interested in public service and human rights. The way my co-workers and I have been treated at work is disgusting. I don't know what I can do to make a change, though. My resume looks pretty boring. I haven't done anything but working full-time at restaurants. Only one thing that makes me unique is that I am from the outcast of my country. We have been discriminated for such a long time. If you're curious, google buraku. The severe discrimination is the main reason I left my country. Nobody in my family had a chance to go to college. Every time I imagined what my life would be there, I felt depressed.
I'd appreciate any advice you could give. I prefer to stay in the tri-state area if possible. Participating in school activities is almost impossible as I wait tables 40 hours a week. I'm happy with my LSAT score, so I won't retake aiming for a better score.
Re: 3.1/176 Non-traditional
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 8:25 pm
by nedstarksbastard
Congrats on your amazing LSAT score! It's impressive enough that if you can write a compelling personal statement about your experiences and an addendum explaining your low GPA and pointing out your improvement over time, you could probably get some top schools. If you can get a fee waiver from LSAC, I would send apps to all the T14.
Re: 3.1/176 Non-traditional
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 9:24 pm
by Clyde Frog
Splitter1415 wrote:Hello,
Eight years ago, I moved to the States as an international student to attend a community college. I didn't do well and received 3 F's from 2 art classes and 1 foreign language class due to hospitalizations. I just didn't know how to ask for help. I didn't speak much English. I was babysitting and waiting tables full-time to support myself while going to school full-time. Anyway, I ended up graduating with a 3.2 GPA and took advantage of the OPT program. I worked to save up to attend a senior college. I ended up getting married and waited to attend school until my green card arrived. I started attending a senior college two years ago while working full-time at a restaurant to support myself and family. I'm about to graduate next year and my GPA here is around 3.5.
I'd like to apply to law schools. However, I don't know what to do. My LSAC GPA is probably between 3.1-3.2. Where should I apply to? I am interested in public service and human rights. The way my co-workers and I have been treated at work is disgusting. I don't know what I can do to make a change, though. My resume looks pretty boring. I haven't done anything but working full-time at restaurants. Only one thing that makes me unique is that I am from the outcast of my country. We have been discriminated for such a long time. If you're curious, google buraku. The severe discrimination is the main reason I left my country. Nobody in my family had a chance to go to college. Every time I imagined what my life would be there, I felt depressed.
I'd appreciate any advice you could give. I prefer to stay in the tri-state area if possible. Participating in school activities is almost impossible as I wait tables 40 hours a week. I'm happy with my LSAT score, so I won't retake aiming for a better score.
You will really stand out with your story. Good luck, I'm sure you'll get into a few top schools. I'm rooting for you.
Re: 3.1/176 Non-traditional
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 10:50 pm
by Splitter1415
nedstarksbastard,
Thank you for the advice. I'm going to work on my personal statement. I just wish my GPA was a little better.
Clyde Frog,
Thank you for your kind words

Re: 3.1/176 Non-traditional
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 11:07 pm
by iskim88
http://www.imadr.org/sayama/buraku.html
This indeed is a disgusting sort of discrimination.... glad u were able to escape the discrimination from the Japanese people.
If I were you, I would ED northwestern for a full-scholarship. Your LAST + softs, I believe, make you an attractive candidate for the top6 despite your GPA, but I think you would either end up paying sticker or get just a little bit of scholarship. Also, since you are committed to PI, I would look at the RTK program from NYU.
Best of luck in your future endeavors and Congrats on the amazing score. Good luck!
Re: 3.1/176 Non-traditional
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 2:25 am
by 03152016
iskim88 wrote:http://www.imadr.org/sayama/buraku.html
This indeed is a disgusting sort of discrimination.... glad u were able to escape the discrimination from the Japanese people.
If I were you, I would ED northwestern for a full-scholarship. Your LAST + softs, I believe, make you an attractive candidate for the top6 despite your GPA, but I think you would either end up paying sticker or get just a little bit of scholarship. Also, since you are committed to PI, I would look at the RTK program from NYU.
Best of luck in your future endeavors and Congrats on the amazing score. Good luck!
Wouldn't count on NU ED with that GPA. I also wouldn't call OP an attractive candidate for CCN, though it could happen off of WL.
Re: 3.1/176 Non-traditional
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 2:32 am
by Clearly
iskim88 wrote:http://www.imadr.org/sayama/buraku.html
This indeed is a disgusting sort of discrimination.... glad u were able to escape the discrimination from the Japanese people.
If I were you, I would ED northwestern for a full-scholarship. Your LAST + softs, I believe, make you an attractive candidate for the top6 despite your GPA, but I think you would either end up paying sticker or get just a little bit of scholarship. Also, since you are committed to PI, I would look at the RTK program from NYU.
Best of luck in your future endeavors and Congrats on the amazing score. Good luck!
The NU full ride is not made for splitters, why would they give away full rides to kids who might not even get into a better school than NU?
I'm nearly a numbers twin with you OP, your best shots are NU, UVA, GULC,
maybe Penn, maybe NYU with an ED and some luck.
Re: 3.1/176 Non-traditional
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 10:09 am
by Splitter1415
iskim88,
Thank you. Yes, indeed. I hate how government handles the situation. I don't think I'm good enough to receive a full scholarship from NU. The RTK program is something that I wish I could get into. Is it worth applying with my bad GPA.
Max324,
I'll appreciate it if you could recommend some schools I should look into. I don't really want to spend too much money just to get rejections. Thank you.
Clearly,
Where did you get in this cycle? My spouse has a stable job here and is still in undergrad here in NYC. For that reason, I would prefer to stay around here. Is Fordham a bad school for somebody who wants to work in PI? Thank you.
Re: 3.1/176 Non-traditional
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 10:24 am
by Splitter1415
I have four people who would be happy to write a recommendation for me. If I'm limited to two, whom would you choose?
A. An English professor who gave me an A+. It was a tough writing course.
B. A political science professor who went to Columbia Law. He works in PI. I have never really talked to him, though.
C. A political science professor who works for ACLU. I believe she went to Yale Law. I talked to her a lot and she was always nice.
D. A pre-law director who knows my background and why I want to go to law school. I have never taken any class with her, but we talk often.
E. A philosophy professor who has a PhD. I believe he has good things to say about me.
Re: 3.1/176 Non-traditional
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 10:53 am
by Mack.Hambleton
Their personal prestige or connections don't matter, only what they say about you. Also should be academic, so whichever two of A,C, and E know you best.
Re: 3.1/176 Non-traditional
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 8:56 pm
by Splitter1415
james.bungles,
Thank you. I'll pick two from the three you picked.