3.52 / 168 Top 14? Forum

[JCLee423]

LSAT: 168
GPA: 3.52

I am a long time lurker on this forum but I am applying this session so I felt I could lurk no longer.

I decided to make a thread because it's hard for me tell how much of a splitter I am. I am interested in my top 14 chances but I don't know how much my GPA will affect me.

Softs: 2 years relevant full time work experience, AmeriCorps alum

Goals: PI

[Rigo]

I wouldn't really call you a splitter, since your LSAT isn't that high for T14.

Right now you're probably looking at Michigan, Northwestern, Cornell, Georgetown.
You should retake for better prospects & better scholarships, though. Your GPA isn't THAT bad; it's moreso your LSAT holding you back.

[sesto elemento]

I wouldn't really call you a splitter, since your LSAT isn't that high for T14 T13.

Right now you're probably looking at Michigan, Northwestern, Cornell, Georgetown.
You should retake for better prospects & better scholarships, though. Your GPA isn't THAT bad; it's moreso your LSAT holding you back.

[Rigo]

I wouldn't really call you a splitter, since your LSAT isn't that high for T14 T13.

Right now you're probably looking at Michigan, Northwestern, Cornell, Georgetown.
You should retake for better prospects & better scholarships, though. Your GPA isn't THAT bad; it's moreso your LSAT holding you back.

I didn't want to turn OP's thread into a Georgetown vs. Anti-Georgetown trollfest.
Especially, since OP wants PI and Georgetown grads who self-select that route HAVE BETTER EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS THAN OPRAH!!!!

[sesto elemento]

I wouldn't really call you a splitter, since your LSAT isn't that high for T14 T13.

Right now you're probably looking at Michigan, Northwestern, Cornell, Georgetown.
You should retake for better prospects & better scholarships, though. Your GPA isn't THAT bad; it's moreso your LSAT holding you back.

I didn't want to turn OP's thread into a Georgetown vs. Anti-Georgetown trollfest.
Especially, since OP wants PI and Georgetown grads who self-select that route HAVE BETTER EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS THAN OPRAH!!!!

If OP is PI oriented, then GULC may still not be the right call. It's very stingy with money and even for PI you should care about $$$. If OP is rly into PI then I'd suggest retaking until he can get into NYU so he can apply for the RTK or use its LRAP. UVA and Berk also have good PI programs OP.

[JCLee423]

I wouldn't really call you a splitter, since your LSAT isn't that high for T14 T13.

Right now you're probably looking at Michigan, Northwestern, Cornell, Georgetown.
You should retake for better prospects & better scholarships, though. Your GPA isn't THAT bad; it's moreso your LSAT holding you back.

I didn't want to turn OP's thread into a Georgetown vs. Anti-Georgetown trollfest.
Especially, since OP wants PI and Georgetown grads who self-select that route HAVE BETTER EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS THAN OPRAH!!!!

I understand the need to retake but I am spending a year abroad (in South East Asia) and I don't have the financial means to study and get myself to a testing center to retake at this point.

Dirigo: Was your Oprah employment comment sarcasm or are you saying that Gtown grads who do want PI aren't in as bad a situation then say the normal Gtown grad?

[Rigo]

Dirigo: Was your Oprah employment comment sarcasm or are you saying that Gtown grads who do want PI aren't in as bad a situation then say the normal Gtown grad?

It was sarcasm. Georgetown is considered by many to be the red-headed step-child of the T14 because it's Biglaw and Federal Clerkship placement are more in line with T15-T20 than Cornell on up.
Georgetown is also notoriously stingy with giving scholarships, and it's more likely that you'll get more money at a higher ranked school with the same LSAT score/GPA.

Georgetown advocates say the low Biglaw+Fed Clerk numbers is because a large group of Georgetown grads self-select PI or Gov't jobs upon graduation. It's hard to know for sure if this is largely self-selection or largely because the grads don't have better options.

Either way, I included Georgetown on your list because your numbers justify you being admitted. If you had voiced a desire to work in Biglaw, I would have thought twice before including it.

There's definitely no harm in applying to Georgetown, so don't be dissauded in that regard. It's better to have it as an option when finally choosing a law school in the spring than having one less option. I would also broaded your scope and look at some strong regional schools. With a 168, you are in the running for getting a lot of scholarship money.

[JCLee423]

That is pretty much the gist of what I know of Georgetown.

I have one other question. The $$$$ that goes along with NU ED looks too good to pass up. Does anyone know about PI placement in DC or NYC out of NU? Would it be worth passing up say Michigan or a slight chance at UVA?

[tachikara]

Dude almost everyone that gets the NU ED should take it. There are so few reasons not to, especially if HYS is not in the picture.

[JCLee423]

Dude almost everyone that gets the NU ED should take it. There are so few reasons not to, especially if HYS is not in the picture.

I've had a hard time finding any information as to whether or not Northwestern ED is now harder to get than RD. I don't know if I have the numbers.

[Rigo]

Dude almost everyone that gets the NU ED should take it. There are so few reasons not to, especially if HYS is not in the picture.

I've had a hard time finding any information as to whether or not Northwestern ED is now harder to get than RD. I don't know if I have the numbers.

It definitely is harder because of the $150k incentive. You'd probably be rolled over to RD since your numbers aren't especially strong, but it doesn't hurt to apply if you think NW would be a good fit.

Unfortunately I don't know specifics about PI placement. NW is known to be pretty business-focused, but that doesn't mean opportunities don't exist. All T14s have the majority of the student body pushing for biglaw+FC. Some are said to be more public interest focused, but every school has faculty and resources at your disposal should you want to pursue that career path.

Research different LRAP programs.