Top Law Schools

Hi,

First of all, I know people can get annoyed at these threads when there are things out there such as law school predictors, so I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to read this!

I've been out of undergrad (Top 20) for a year and I've been working as an in-house Paralegal for a large tech firm.

GPA: 3.554
LSAT Oct'13: 157 (had a terrible day, don't really know what to say about this)
LSAT June'14: 171

I know that both are kind of a long-shot, but I'm trying to decide which one to early decision: Columbia or NYU? I know I'd really love to be in NY (from the area), and I just want to know which one I have a better chance at if I early decision.

Other schools I'm applying to:
Harvard
Stanford
Duke
Georgetown
Cornell
Northwestern
UVA
UPenn

A little more about me - I want to work in financial/securities litigation and asset recovery. Please let me know your guys thoughts.

Thanks!

You should only apply Early Decision if you are okay with paying $300k for law school. Unless your parents are super rich or you have another way to finance your education other than loans/savings, do not apply ED.

The only exception to this is in the T14 is Northwestern which gives $150,000 scholarships to all ED admits.

You should take a look at this analysis of the boost different T14 schools give for ED applicants. The takeaway for you is that neither NYU nor Columbia have a statistically significant boost for ED applicants, including for splitters.

When you combine that with what Mullens mentioned about ED taking away the opportunity for you to negotiate scholarship money, it's not really a good idea.

With a 3.55 you're out at HYS and probably B as well.

You'd have a fair shot at getting CCN (more likely N) without the ED either way. Plus ED takes away your opportunities for scholarships and leverage. With your numbers you can get some money out of the lower t-14, which then you could possibly leverage for one of CCN to give you some as well. (Unlikely, but possible.)


Your grades are good enough to get you into the t-14, but at mostly sticker price, which is 300k of debt, which necessitates big-law.

You might consider a retake - a 173 could net you some extra cash, or too reapply in a couple years to NU with a lot more WE.

GL =)

Wow, thanks for all the advice, especially the article on how much ED boosts your application.

I'll have two years work experience before entering law school. I know that NU likes to see at least two years, but I'm not sure if that means two years at start of law school, or two years at application time. I am considering ED to NU as the financial freedom is really tempting.

Thanks for your guys help.

...

2015_Splitter wrote:I am considering ED to NU as the financial freedom is really tempting.

Do this.