165 LSAT 3.96 GPA Changes at Top 14 Forum

[cardinal511]

First, I would like to thank anyone who takes time to offer their input; it is appreciated. I am a white male (so no URM), but I come from a low income family if that helps in any way. Basically, I would like to know my chances of getting accepted into Top 14 law schools (obviously Harvard and Yale are likely out), and also whether there is any chance that I could get any scholarships or other financial assistance to those schools. I have 1 year left in under grad, but I will be applying before a new semester is complete, so my GPA will stay where it is, and my LSAT was my first attempt, so I could retake in September. In terms of softs, I have the typical leadership positions in clubs and membership in several honors societies, but nothing that will jump off a page.

Basically with this I want to gauge whether a Top 14 school is a) realistic in terms of acceptance, and b) financially reasonable. I live in Iowa, and with my scores plus in state tuition being low at the University of Iowa, if my changes at Top 14 are low or I'd be paying sticker price, Iowa is probably a better option for me. I would also love any input into whether a retake would be worth the time and money it would require. School will be in full swing by the end of September, but if improving my score a few points could increase my chances of acceptance or financial aid significantly, I will definitely give it another go. Thanks again for the help

[daleearnhardt123]

if you want to practice some kind of shitlaw in Iowa then Iowa for free makes sense.

If you want to practice the kind of law most people that come on here want to practice (i.e. the kind that pays 160 starting) you need to retake. No point in having this conversation until then. Quit whatever other BS you're doing between now and the next test administration and study up.

[SonlenNightfall]

Let me break the silence with the word you are about to hear from everyone:

Retake.

There is no reason to worry about where you would get in or how much money you would get at a T14 right now. Your 3.96 GPA means that not a single school is out of the running. Since you are in a low income family, this decision to go to law school is an extremely important and potentially dangerous one (since the debt is nondischargeable). You need to focus on putting yourself in the best position possible before you make the leap to law school.

Your goal should be a 173+. Don't go to law school until you achieve that. There is no reason you should impatiently jump into law school until you can pair that stellar GPA with a great LSAT (and your first attempt seems to hint that 173 isn't out of reach). Once you have a 173+ and a 3.96 you will have every school on your radar. If it takes a couple of years to get there, so be it. You will even gain extra work experience that will buff your softs.

This is the rest of your life, do what it takes to give yourself the best chance to succeed.

[Mullens]

Retake. Go to mylsn.info, look at how the graphs turn from red to green, and the money rises to acceptable debt levels.

[Chrstgtr]

Retake and get a full ride. Don't waste that GPA.

[BigZuck]

Gotta retake. That should be all you worry about from this point forward until you have a score that matches your GPA.

[03152016]

retake

[tolopo]

Not going to say anything new, but just so you know, I'd do anything for your GPA. GPA is something that takes at least 3-4 years to get and stabilize, and it looks like you did a great job at keeping it very, very high. If you study for your LSAT and get 170+, not much will stand in your way for many of the T14. Drill hard and obliterate the next administration of the LSAT and I'm pretty sure it won't take 3-4 years to do that.

Of course it will help your chances not just for an acceptance but for much money in the lower half of the T14. Your GPA potentially can open/already has opened your options to many many schools, don't counter that with an LSAT that is not worth coupling with your academic work, that might eliminate these options. Think of each point as potentially thousands of dollars of scholarships, seriously a great investment in the long run. Personally, I'd love to just study the LSAT and get a better score than stay another year (which is even more expensive given both actual costs and opportunity costs it seems) to pull up the GPA. You are relatively in a more favourable circumstance.

Good luck!

[TFALAWL]

UVA ED might yield yes with sticker. TCR is retake