Chances for Temple, PSU, V-nova (3.85 GPA, 156/157 LSAT...) Forum

[CTel92]

I'm taking the LSAT in June and I have been testing around a 156 and 157 on Practice tests (I know the scales have been a tad more generous lately but I am not taking it for granted that it will continue). Some of my other background information is....

-3.85 GPA at Penn State (Univ. Park)
-Criminology Major (Bachelors of Science)
-Business Minor
-Sociology Minor
-Haven't missed Dean's List throughout college
-Elected as member of executive board for a student business organization
-Internships with County Judge and Office of Attorney General of Pennsylvania (Mediation), as well as Regulatory Affairs internship with a healthcare company.
-Not a URM

I'm looking at schools in the PA/NJ/NY/MD areas and have no particular preferences as I have not visted some on the list...

Penn State (Dickinson)
Temple
Villanova
Pittsburgh
Duquesne
Maryland
Syracuse
Rutgers

Basically, I was wondering if I could just get some feedback on..
A.- my chances with these schools if my scores hold true
B.- any opinions people have of these schools
C.- any reccomendations of other schools in this general area

Thank you!

[paintbynumbers]

Apply for the summer jumpstart program at Rutgers-Camden and you'll get in. Get an apt in NJ before you start class and you'll get in-state tuition. With your grades, this is the best option for you. If you did get into any of the other schools and do not have in-state tuition at a Temple or UMD, then financially, does not make sense to attend.

[butlerraider1]

Don't take the LSAT if you are PTing mid 150s with 2 weeks before the test. Your GPA is too high to settle for that.

[90convoy]

Study more and take the test in September

[njdevils2626]

Study more and take the test in September

[jchiles]

I'll defer to more knowledgable posters on the wisdom of putting off taking the test, but every one of these schools should only be attended with a full scholarship or very close to it. Even if you apply with your "current" score, you may not be accepted at Temple or Maryland based on what I've seen with people I know, but obviously lawschoolnumbers.com can provide more information on your chances.

Think about what you want to do and where you want to be, I looked at essentially the same list of schools as you posted here and frankly most are not worth attending, even for free, unless you have reasonable goals in the market the school historically places students in.

[Mullens]

With your GPA you should not attend any of the schools you listed, even for free. Study harder, retake if necessary, and shoot for Penn or Harvard.

[CTel92]

I probably should have specified a few more things...

-I took a diagnostic before studying and got a 151. I've been studying since the end of January and the 156/157 is what I am scoring and now, so I am not sure how much more I can improve. I'll be totally candid that it's kind of discouraging.

-I am working full time at the moment (the Regulatory Internship with the healthcare company) so I am not really positive that I will be able to study more than I was before.

-I do have a realistic idea of what sorts of jobs these schools can and cannot get, but I'm not sure what kinds of improvements I can get if I've only progressed 5-6 points in 4 months.

[johnnyquest]

Don't take the LSAT if until you are PTing mid 150s high 160s with 2 weeks before the test. Your GPA is too high to settle for that.

There you go.

[bjsesq]

I probably should have specified a few more things...

-I took a diagnostic before studying and got a 151. I've been studying since the end of January and the 156/157 is what I am scoring and now, so I am not sure how much more I can improve. I'll be totally candid that it's kind of discouraging.

-I am working full time at the moment (the Regulatory Internship with the healthcare company) so I am not really positive that I will be able to study more than I was before.

-I do have a realistic idea of what sorts of jobs these schools can and cannot get, but I'm not sure what kinds of improvements I can get if I've only progressed 5-6 points in 4 months.

What study program are you following?

[CTel92]

I probably should have specified a few more things...

-I took a diagnostic before studying and got a 151. I've been studying since the end of January and the 156/157 is what I am scoring and now, so I am not sure how much more I can improve. I'll be totally candid that it's kind of discouraging.

-I am working full time at the moment (the Regulatory Internship with the healthcare company) so I am not really positive that I will be able to study more than I was before.

-I do have a realistic idea of what sorts of jobs these schools can and cannot get, but I'm not sure what kinds of improvements I can get if I've only progressed 5-6 points in 4 months.

What study program are you following?

I took a Kaplan course but about 1/3 of the way through I realized I wasn't learning anything from it, so I began using the LSAT Trainer and the LG/LR Bibles. I get at least 2 hours in per day 5 or 6 days a week.

[bjsesq]

I probably should have specified a few more things...

-I took a diagnostic before studying and got a 151. I've been studying since the end of January and the 156/157 is what I am scoring and now, so I am not sure how much more I can improve. I'll be totally candid that it's kind of discouraging.

-I am working full time at the moment (the Regulatory Internship with the healthcare company) so I am not really positive that I will be able to study more than I was before.

-I do have a realistic idea of what sorts of jobs these schools can and cannot get, but I'm not sure what kinds of improvements I can get if I've only progressed 5-6 points in 4 months.

What study program are you following?

I took a Kaplan course but about 1/3 of the way through I realized I wasn't learning anything from it, so I began using the LSAT Trainer and the LG/LR Bibles. I get at least 2 hours in per day 5 or 6 days a week.

Have you looked at pithy pikes study guide? It is damn effective.

[transferror]

Don't waste that 3.85, I don't care if you think you've hit the point of diminished returns. Find a new guide, mix up your study habits, do whatever it takes and spend as much time as it takes to get into the mid/upper 160s.