3.25/179 Forum

[oenone]

Just wondering which t14 schools I would have a solid chance at being admitted to. I obviously have a massive GPA/LSAT gap so I guess it largely will depend on the relative weight that each school puts on these two metrics?

My top choices would be Stanford/Berkeley(strongly want to live in the bay area)

Relevant info:

White
ivy league undergrad
2 years work experience at a very competitive govt. job (was extremely lucky to land it given my gpa)
anticipating excellent letters of rec
Not sure if this factors into admissions at all, but both of my parents went to Berkeley for grad school, although neither went to the law school

Thanks!

[muskies970]

In at Georgetown, the rest is a toss up, although YSB (who are more grad conscious) are almost definitely out (but still worth applying).

Your softs look good. Make sure there are no errors in your app and to send it in the first day possible.

http://mylsn.info/z70dty/

ETA: more data points http://mylsn.info/tmtv3y/

[francesfarmer]

Not looking good for the bay area at all, sorry.

[oenone]

Thanks for the replies! Any idea if my work experience/legacy status might give me a shot at berkeley? I know it looks grim from the calculator but I'm just trying to decide if it's worth shooting them an application.

[muskies970]

Id say it's worth a shot.

[jbagelboy]

Berkeley has traditional emphasis on GPA, but its also highly idiosyncratic admissions. Definitely worth a shot; apply EARLY, do a very Cal specific 3-4pg personal statement and maybe try to schedule an interview with admission during the fall if possible. If you press your case they could make an exception for your bad grades.

Stanford is totally out. They get apps with all your credentials but 3.8's and reject them routinely. Nothing wrong with shooting them a hail marry if they $121 fee won't burn

[oenone]

Cool, thanks for the advice. Sounds like a good plan.

[arklaw13]

For B, I'd look at it this way: their 25th percentile is 3.66. That's the lowest data point they have to publish. So really you don't have any less chance than if you had a 3.65.

Okay, I really just pulled that rationalization out of my ass to make you feel better. Apply everywhere and cross your fingers. Grats on the 179.

[oenone]

Hahaha, it helped! Thanks!

[Cicero76]

Don't write a four page personal statement though

[jbagelboy]

Don't write a four page personal statement though

Just for Berkeley, 3-4pg is appropriate. For others, 2 max.

[Ramius]

Don't write a four page personal statement though

Just for Berkeley, 3-4pg is appropriate. For others, 2 max.

You can even expand your 2 page PS into a 3-4 pager specifically for Berk to cut down on the amount of writing required. That's what I did and it worked just fine.

[mornincounselor]

Post removed.

[jbagelboy]

Not looking good for the bay area at all, sorry.

Why is the Cornell chances so low comparatively? Just a small sample size?

cornell actually applies gpa floors. used to be ~3.3, now it's down to 3.2. not a splitter friendly school relative to it's peers (UVA, NU).

[buffalo_]

Unfortunately the two schools you want are the least splitter friendly.

If you are unable to swing Stanford or Berkley with some softs, you might consider NU or CLS. NU's reputation says they love anyone with WE and 170+. You are strong in both of those respects. You might even have a shot at a full scholarship if you apply early decision. CLS will have some decent pull out west.

[mx23250]

Not looking good for the bay area at all, sorry.

I think you still have a great shot at Berkeley. For the record, I was admitted to several schools that this site gave me 0% chance at (some even gave generous scholly $$).