169 LSAT With a 3.18 GPA in Philosophy: What is Realistic? Forum

lopezst1 · Post by **lopezst1** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 4:58 pm

Alright, so I'm trying my best to figure out what schools are realistic given my credentials. I really want to go to a T14 school if at all possible, but a T25 might be okay as long as it's a really good fit. Here's my details:

As I said, 169 on the LSAT with a 3.18 GPA as a philosophy major. I'm Hispanic but not the kind that they generally care much about (I'm Spanish). Could still possibly work in my favor but I'm not banking on it. It's also been three years since I graduated school. I have good personal relationships with several very reputable lawyers and could get great letters of rec.

I took the LSAT this past December. I definitely could have done better on it, since I only really studied hard for 3-4 weeks and almost puked during the test due to an upset stomach. I'm considering taking it again but also not sure if it's worth it. Let's say I get a 173 the second time around. Since I know a lot of schools average scores, will it really affect the outcome substantially?

The big question here is, what are my odds of making it into a T14? T25? What if I'm able to improve my score slightly? Is my GPA a death knell? I heard Northwestern is favorable to splitters, might I consider going there? I currently live in Michigan and have also considered U of M, but honestly I'm more concerned with the quality of the school than with where it is. I'm mainly so skittish about this because I am aware of the horrible job market for lawyers and want to go to a place that is going to pay off, not somewhere that's going to get me a job as a secretary at a law firm. Anyone who can speak to this element of my post would be greatly appreciated as well. In fact, that may be the most important part of this whole post. Thanks in advance for your help!

RCSOB657 · Post by **RCSOB657** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:07 pm

Have any of those lawyers been your boss or taught you in college? If not, do not use them as LORs. My suggestion is retake the LSAT, it is the only way to offset your GPA.

MistakenGenius · Post by **MistakenGenius** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:18 pm

Post removed.

tiltedwindmill · Post by **tiltedwindmill** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:45 pm

MistakenGenius wrote:First, only three schools might average scores (HYS). Others say they do but statistics indicate they do not.

Next, the previous poster is right, only get LORs from professors who have taught you and/or employers (always get at least one prof though).

You could probably get into Georgetown with your current scores, but you'd pay sticker and it REALLY wouldn't be worth it. Northwestern does favor splitters, but you're not what I would call a splitter for them. If you had above a 170, things would be different. Yes, you should retake. A 173 would get you far better options in the bottom T14 and will yield good money in the T25.

Finally, University of Michigan is a T14.

Definitely retake, as any school with your numbers won't be worth the cost. The only school that averages scores is (maybe) Yale, but your GPA precludes almost any chance of being accepted there (same goes for Stanford and Harvard, although I don't think that they look at anything besides your highest score).

MistakenGenius · Post by **MistakenGenius** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 7:31 pm

Post removed.

emkay625 · Post by **emkay625** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 4:04 pm

3.23/169/173 here. In at several of the lower T-14s w/$. And that was before this drop in apps we've had the last two cycles. I think you'll be fine. Break 170 and you should hit at least 1, if not multiple, schools.

emkay625 · Post by **emkay625** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 4:05 pm

lopezst1 wrote:Alright, so I'm trying my best to figure out what schools are realistic given my credentials. I really want to go to a T14 school if at all possible, but a T25 might be okay as long as it's a really good fit. Here's my details:

As I said, 169 on the LSAT with a 3.18 GPA as a philosophy major. I'm Hispanic but not the kind that they generally care much about (I'm Spanish). Could still possibly work in my favor but I'm not banking on it. It's also been three years since I graduated school. I have good personal relationships with several very reputable lawyers and could get great letters of rec.

I took the LSAT this past December. I definitely could have done better on it, since I only really studied hard for 3-4 weeks and almost puked during the test due to an upset stomach. I'm considering taking it again but also not sure if it's worth it. Let's say I get a 173 the second time around. Since I know a lot of schools average scores, will it really affect the outcome substantially?

The big question here is, what are my odds of making it into a T14? T25? What if I'm able to improve my score slightly? Is my GPA a death knell? I heard Northwestern is favorable to splitters, might I consider going there? I currently live in Michigan and have also considered U of M, but honestly I'm more concerned with the quality of the school than with where it is. I'm mainly so skittish about this because I am aware of the horrible job market for lawyers and want to go to a place that is going to pay off, not somewhere that's going to get me a job as a secretary at a law firm. Anyone who can speak to this element of my post would be greatly appreciated as well. In fact, that may be the most important part of this whole post. Thanks in advance for your help!

Michigan is a T14 school. #10 this year.

03152016 · Post by **03152016** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 11:10 pm

if you really want a t14, the only answer is retake
you'd probably get gulc at sticker
and that option shouldn't be on the table
eta: eh, what mg said basically