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I am currently a senior at NYU studying philosophy. I have a 3.8 GPA, and my softs are average. I just took the LSAT today and feel relatively good about it. What score do you guys think I would need in order to be accepted to NYU Law if I apply ED?

Thanks for your input.

Don't apply ED, NYU gives no ED boost at all, and it locks you out of money.

170 or over would give you an excellent shot at real money.


But seriously, don't apply ED. I'm at NYU and I love it here, but EDing would be real dumb with that gpa.

You really think so?? Where did you hear that NYU doesn't give an ED boost? That would really change so many things for me. Money is not the most important factor for me - I just want to be accepted. I love NYU so much and really don't want to leave. However, I don't think I got a 170 today. Do you think I would have a chance if I scored say a 167?

Thanks for your reply. I really appreciate the advice.

They don't say they give a boost, and there has been statistical evidence that they give no boost. I'll try and find it.

167/3.8 is probably waitlist/reject territory. 169 would probably get you in, although you being K-JD and below the more important median is going to hurt.


edit: found it
http://admissionsbythenumbers.blogspot. ... op-14.html
No statistically significant boost.

phillywc wrote:Don't apply ED, NYU gives no ED boost at all, and it locks you out of money.
170 or over would give you an excellent shot at real money.
But seriously, don't apply ED. I'm at NYU and I love it here, but EDing would be real dumb with that gpa.

This.

That's another thing...do you think that deferring for one year would make a big difference in my application? I have had jobs and internships at a law firm, the DA's office, a political consulting firm, the Manhattan Borough President's office, etc. Should I really take a year off and get a job as a paralegal or something? That seems like a waste of time to me.

LSATismyfav wrote:That's another thing...do you think that deferring for one year would make a big difference in my application? I have had jobs and internships at a law firm, the DA's office, a political consulting firm, the Manhattan Borough President's office, etc. Should I really take a year off and get a job as a paralegal or something? That seems like a waste of time to me.

Taking a year off is usually a good idea just in general, for growing up and financial reasons. It also helps at the margins in admissions, so if you are a borderline candidate (and that sounds like you at NYU), it could make a difference.

That isn't even taking into account how helpful not being K-JD will be at EIW.

If you don't mind me asking...what were your numbers? Slash did you take a few years off before law school? Where did you work?

chances aren't great with 3.8/167
you're not in splitter territory
25th lsat but haven't hit 75th gpa
maybe you get in off wl
if you do manage to get in, it'll probably be at sticker
i recommend setting your sights lower or retaking

TBH op already went to NYU for ug, chances are op is loaded so EDing to NYU with a 3.8 170 is not a crazy idea in OPs mind.

phillywc wrote:

LSATismyfav wrote:That's another thing...do you think that deferring for one year would make a big difference in my application? I have had jobs and internships at a law firm, the DA's office, a political consulting firm, the Manhattan Borough President's office, etc. Should I really take a year off and get a job as a paralegal or something? That seems like a waste of time to me.

Taking a year off is usually a good idea just in general, for growing up and financial reasons. It also helps at the margins in admissions, so if you are a borderline candidate (and that sounds like you at NYU), it could make a difference.

That isn't even taking into account how helpful not being K-JD will be at EIW.

I see how taking a year off helps a bit for admissions (H stated that they look favorably on non K-JDs and NYU has the lowest number of K-JDs ever this year), but I don't really buy the significance of it in OCI. Outside of TLS, everyone I've talked to has said it comes down to grades, 1L job and how you interview (not being really weird). Not to say it doesn't provide a small boost, but perhaps that boost comes in the form of work experience/age --> better interviewing.

OP since you're at NYU already it may not be a bad idea to email admissions and see if they will let you meet someone to ask some questions. I did it at my UG's law school and I think if I had been borderline it would have been helpful.

LSATismyfav wrote:If you don't mind me asking...what were your numbers? Slash did you take a few years off before law school? Where did you work?

numbers are in my profile. worked retail full time, so not impressive.

sims1 wrote: I see how taking a year off helps a bit for admissions (H stated that they look favorably on non K-JDs and NYU has the lowest number of K-JDs ever this year), but I don't really buy the significance of it in OCI. Outside of TLS, everyone I've talked to has said it comes down to grades, 1L job and how you interview (not being really weird). Not to say it doesn't provide a small boost, but perhaps that boost comes in the form of work experience/age --> better interviewing.

It might just be experience/age help with interviewing, but that still means work experience help, imo. I also think it probably helps at least a bit at OCI, but I'm a 1L so what do i know.

Well what would you guys do if you were me? I get more score back for a few weeks, but hypothetically if I do get a 167 of 168.....?

LSATismyfav wrote:Well what would you guys do if you were me? I get more score back for a few weeks, but hypothetically if I do get a 167 of 168.....?

Then seriously consider retaking.

sims1 wrote:

phillywc wrote:

LSATismyfav wrote:That's another thing...do you think that deferring for one year would make a big difference in my application? I have had jobs and internships at a law firm, the DA's office, a political consulting firm, the Manhattan Borough President's office, etc. Should I really take a year off and get a job as a paralegal or something? That seems like a waste of time to me.

Taking a year off is usually a good idea just in general, for growing up and financial reasons. It also helps at the margins in admissions, so if you are a borderline candidate (and that sounds like you at NYU), it could make a difference.

That isn't even taking into account how helpful not being K-JD will be at EIW.

I see how taking a year off helps a bit for admissions (H stated that they look favorably on non K-JDs and NYU has the lowest number of K-JDs ever this year), but I don't really buy the significance of it in OCI. Outside of TLS, everyone I've talked to has said it comes down to grades, 1L job and how you interview (not being really weird). Not to say it doesn't provide a small boost, but perhaps that boost comes in the form of work experience/age --> better interviewing.

I wondered about the WE boost two years ago: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 2&t=189449.

Having gone through OCI since then, I agree with everyone who said it helps. Even boring paralegal WE helps you sell your ability to work in a team, multitask, and grind through mundane work. It also gives you some credibility when you talk about your career goals. I can't even imagine having to talk about college clubs and law school classes in interviews--you're probably boring the interviewers to death.

sims1 wrote:

phillywc wrote:

LSATismyfav wrote:That's another thing...do you think that deferring for one year would make a big difference in my application? I have had jobs and internships at a law firm, the DA's office, a political consulting firm, the Manhattan Borough President's office, etc. Should I really take a year off and get a job as a paralegal or something? That seems like a waste of time to me.

Taking a year off is usually a good idea just in general, for growing up and financial reasons. It also helps at the margins in admissions, so if you are a borderline candidate (and that sounds like you at NYU), it could make a difference.

That isn't even taking into account how helpful not being K-JD will be at EIW.

I see how taking a year off helps a bit for admissions (H stated that they look favorably on non K-JDs and NYU has the lowest number of K-JDs ever this year), but I don't really buy the significance of it in OCI. Outside of TLS, everyone I've talked to has said it comes down to grades, 1L job and how you interview (not being really weird). Not to say it doesn't provide a small boost, but perhaps that boost comes in the form of work experience/age --> better interviewing.

OP since you're at NYU already it may not be a bad idea to email admissions and see if they will let you meet someone to ask some questions. I did it at my UG's law school and I think if I had been borderline it would have been helpful.

1L job basically matters not at all as long as you had one

baal hadad wrote:

sims1 wrote:

phillywc wrote:

LSATismyfav wrote:That's another thing...do you think that deferring for one year would make a big difference in my application? I have had jobs and internships at a law firm, the DA's office, a political consulting firm, the Manhattan Borough President's office, etc. Should I really take a year off and get a job as a paralegal or something? That seems like a waste of time to me.

Taking a year off is usually a good idea just in general, for growing up and financial reasons. It also helps at the margins in admissions, so if you are a borderline candidate (and that sounds like you at NYU), it could make a difference.

That isn't even taking into account how helpful not being K-JD will be at EIW.

I see how taking a year off helps a bit for admissions (H stated that they look favorably on non K-JDs and NYU has the lowest number of K-JDs ever this year), but I don't really buy the significance of it in OCI. Outside of TLS, everyone I've talked to has said it comes down to grades, 1L job and how you interview (not being really weird). Not to say it doesn't provide a small boost, but perhaps that boost comes in the form of work experience/age --> better interviewing.

OP since you're at NYU already it may not be a bad idea to email admissions and see if they will let you meet someone to ask some questions. I did it at my UG's law school and I think if I had been borderline it would have been helpful.

1L job basically matters not at all as long as you had one

People say that a lot, but what evidence are you using?

AReasonableMan wrote:

baal hadad wrote: 1L job basically matters not at all as long as you had one

People say that a lot, but what evidence are you using?

no measurable difference in outcomes between any number of 1L legal jobs, from international tribunals to on-campus research assistants to judicial interns to compliance at a bank. 1L market SA is objectively better due to pay, potential for rehire/split, commitment to private practice & area, if relevant to you.

Best bet is to be geographically strategic between non-distinguishable alternatives. If you think you might want to spend 2L summer in a ties sensitive market and your a little weak in that area, try working there (but not if it will balloon your costs. Living at home and pocketing stipend can be TCR).

This is not to say there aren't certain jobs that will be more fun or interesting to you.. firm work aside, take it as your last chance to do something cool and dynamic (or to do something low key and spend a lot of time high on the beach).