Top Law Schools

I already tried mylsn.info (and other sites) but I just wanted to hear some thoughts and suggestions.

I'd say my soft is average (nothing special). Having underperformed on my December lsat (1st time), already gave up on Y. Do I have any chance at S or C?

I appreciate any help or insights in advance

I think you have a chance at Columbia and at Stanford. Your GPA is very high and comes from a well-regarded school. If you put together a strong application (compelling PS, recs, etc.) then you could have a chance at Stanford. They love high GPAs and are a bit of a black box in terms of what else they're looking for. CLS is a hard sell because they love the LSAT, but you're within a point of the 25th there with a GPA well above the 75th. I think you have more than a fighting chance there.

I'd also apply to HY. You could get lucky! If worse comes to worst, you don't get in. You could always retake and apply next year. Or you could wait, retake (if you think you can do better) and apply early next cycle.

I'd try and squeeze out a few more points on a retake

Right, I'm seriously considering a re-take. I think I can get to a 171-172. BUT, that would mean waiting out a whole another year...

gobigred11 wrote:Right, I'm seriously considering a re-take. I think I can get to a 171-172. BUT, that would mean waiting out a whole another year...

I know it's not what you want to hear, but everyone on TLS will tell you to retake. You are wasting your incredible GPA. Is a year worth of saving up $$ and gaining experience, then retake, and potentially be able to attend a Top 3 LS worth it long-term for you?

gobigred11 wrote:Right, I'm seriously considering a re-take. I think I can get to a 171-172. BUT, that would mean waiting out a whole another year...

There are much worse things than sitting out a year...

MarkfromWI wrote:

gobigred11 wrote:Right, I'm seriously considering a re-take. I think I can get to a 171-172. BUT, that would mean waiting out a whole another year...

There are much worse things than sitting out a year...

Like $200k worth of debt at a worse school.

gobigred11 wrote:Right, I'm seriously considering a re-take. I think I can get to a 171-172. BUT, that would mean waiting out a whole another year...

waiting a year (I actually waited more) was the best decision I ever made, only a small part of which was because it got me into better schools/more schollies.

Hey Kratos, thanks for your reply. how did you spend the extra year(s) and did you end up retaking the lsat?

And thanks to all who have taken the time to reply. It definitely helps, and any additional feedback will be appreciated.

gobigred11 wrote:Hey Kratos, thanks for your reply. how did you spend the extra year(s) and did you end up retaking the lsat?

worked full time and retook.

If you can get 150k or so from a school like Cornell or Northwestern, which is very possible, you should probably just go this year. But if you're on the fence about going anyway and want to wait a year for other reasons then definitely retake.

Agree with the above. Go to Cornell/Northwestern if you can for free or retake and reapply. You might get S this year but it would be way too expensive.

Hutz_and_Goodman wrote:You might get S this year but it would be way too expensive.

why do you say that? S only gives need-based aid, and OP hasn't mentioned income.

also, OP, tons of data for applicants like you: http://mylsn.info/1kccky/

gobigred11 wrote:Hey Kratos, thanks for your reply. how did you spend the extra year(s) and did you end up retaking the lsat?

can you work next year? you can apply this cycle and if you get something you like, then yay; and if not, then retake, work, and apply next cycle

gobigred11 wrote:Right, I'm seriously considering a re-take. I think I can get to a 171-172. BUT, that would mean waiting out a whole another year...

Not necessarily. You can apply and update your apps with a February score.

I had similar numbers to you and I think you are selling yourself short. U Chicago and NYU are probably in plat. Still, the dumbest thing I did was not retaking. It worked out -- I loved the school, the group of guys I came through with are some of the best friends I've ever made (seriously worth the 180k right there), and I got the job I wanted -- but I couldn't have known that going in. Retake and work for another year. If you don't do better next try, then maybe just go ahead with your current score.

If you want biglaw, I'd apply and take a free ride at NU, Cornell etc. You'll probably need a high LSAT for HYS, but IMO, those are worse options than a full ride at the lower T14's. Could retake and sit out a cycle for big $$$ at 4-10 I guess. If you get a nice scholly at a T14 this year, I'd take it.

I'd blanket the T14, and see what happens before you decide. I'm all about retake but you might get really good offers this year. Apply and negotiate and be ready to walk away and retake if you don't snag anything great.

You sit a year and you significantly increase your chances at Harvard AND you clock a year's worth of young professional play time. Rushing into law school - even a T14 is going to suck from a social standpoint.

Those were basically my numbers and I got WL'd at both. Columbia is very LSAT heavy, so don't expect anything IMO. Stanford is unlikely to take you as well. For the most part, they can get anyone they want, save people who get into Yale, would rather go to Harvard for personal reasons, or who take a substantial scholarship somewhere else. They don't have any reason to reach below their numbers for a non-URM without spectacular softs.

Thanks for all the helpful advice-- I genuinely appreciate it. From what I've heard from everyone, I think the best plan is to apply this year without really expecting much. If I receive something very attractive, then I'll take it, but if not waiting a year and trying to raise my LSAT (hopefully) while getting some work experience isn't bad at all. I'll be checking this post every few days but once again thanks so much!

Actually I got one question-- do admission offices not like kids re-applying in consecutive years? What about kids re-applying when they had been accepted the year before to the same school? Thanks in advance:)

gobigred11 wrote:Actually I got one question-- do admission offices not like kids re-applying in consecutive years? What about kids re-applying when they had been accepted the year before to the same school? Thanks in advance:)

Adcoms don't really care. You'll probably just need to write a new PS and update your resume. Stanford (not really on your radar) will want a new LOR, though, which could be a bitch to get.


Also, today is the last day to sign up for the February LSAT. You should really consider taking that for more $$$.

Thanks, I'll definitely consider it. Why does Stanford require a new LOR?