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I have a 3.55 GPA from a top 25 undergrad. Just above the middle of the class, normal academic record. Average to above-average softs with good work experience.

What LSAT score do I realistically have to get to have a very good shot at Harvard (let's define this as more likely to get in than not get in)? Does a 175 get me there, or do I need to be higher?

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toughchoice13 wrote:I have a 3.55 GPA from a top 25 undergrad. Just above the middle of the class, normal academic record. Average to above-average softs with good work experience.

What LSAT score do I realistically have to get to have a very good shot at Harvard (let's define this as more likely to get in than not get in)? Does a 175 get me there, or do I need to be higher?

179+ to have a >50% chance according to LSN.

It seems like you're at the GPA boundary between having an okay chance of admission and having a very bad chance of admission. 177 seems to be the minimal goal here.

At 3.5 GPA
Data from Past 3 Admissions Cycles:
175: 12.5% (acceptance) 1/8
176: 0% 0/6
177: 0% 0/5
178: 25% 1/4
179: 0% 0/2
180: 0% 0/1
Data from Past 5 Admissions Cycles
175: 13.3% (acceptance) 2/15
176: 0% 0/7
177: 0% 0/9
178: 20% 1/5
179: 0% 0/2
180: 0% 0/2

At 3.6 GPA:
Data from Past 3 Admissions Cycles
175: 10% (acceptance) 1/10
176: 30% 3/10
177: N/A
178: 40% 2/5
179: 33.3%% 1/3
180: 100% 1/1
Data from Past 5 Admissions Cycles
175: 14.3% (acceptance) 2/14
176: 17.6% 3/17
177: 22.2% 2/9
178: 40% 2/5
179: 40% 2/5
180: 50% 1/2


Edit: These numbers are all from LSN (http://lawschoolnumbers.com)

I would not count on getting into Harvard sub-3.6 regardless of LSAT without something more compelling on your application.

there are also other schools than Harvard

As a non-urm (assuming), you have a good chance of being rejected even with a 180.

185 will make you auto admit

HYS below 3.6 is not going to happen unless you are urm or have won the Pulitzer prize or similar.