International Applicant, LSAT 176 Forum

[SullatheDictator]

Hi guys,

GPA 4.0, LSAT 176. Obviously i know number wise the chances are good for HYS but there are a few special circumstances for me

- Graduated from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Global Business Major) with a 4.0 GPA (<Top 1%)
- German National
- 2 years work experience in consultancy in Singapore
- Did an Exchange semester in the States (University of Minnesota) with a GPA of 3.4 (grades were pass/fail for me as agreement with my real university, so I didnt even attend a few of the finals). Problem here is while this didnt count at all for my true GPA, LSAC still wants me to send that transcript.

Key Question: Do they treat internationals / people with work experience in non-law fields differently? Are my chances at HYS as good as the calculators seem to suggest?

[tiltedwindmill]

You will get a superior (for your GPA) and they will more heavily weigh your 176-- they don't care about the non-grades at U Minn. You're probably in as good of a position, as an international applicant, as one would ever be.

[Hand]

Hi guys,

GPA 4.0, LSAT 176. Obviously i know number wise the chances are good for HYS but there are a few special circumstances for me

- Graduated from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Global Business Major) with a 4.0 GPA (<Top 1%)
- German National
- 2 years work experience in consultancy in Singapore
- Did an Exchange semester in the States (University of Minnesota) with a GPA of 3.4 (grades were pass/fail for me as agreement with my real university, so I didnt even attend a few of the finals). Problem here is while this didnt count at all for my true GPA, LSAC still wants me to send that transcript.

Key Question: Do they treat internationals / people with work experience in non-law fields differently? Are my chances at HYS as good as the calculators seem to suggest?

Don't expect to be treated like someone with a U.S. GPA of 4.0. Calculators are not of much use to you. You'll receive a foreign transcript evaluation, which indeed will presumably classify your undergraduate record as "superior". If you took less than 60 semester credits worth of coursework at a U.S. institution, you won't be assigned a U.S. GPA. You're in good shape for admission to HYS, but do note that you are not a shoe-in (H and Y both rejected me for instance with a 175/Superior). Put some extra work into writing a personal statement since schools will want to know why you want to study law in the U.S.

[SullatheDictator]

Work experience will make no difference I assume? Bummer thought my chances would be better.

[Hand]

Work experience will make no difference I assume? Bummer thought my chances would be better.

Oh it'll help somewhat for sure, just like it does for everyone, but that's hard to quantify.

[dnptan]

No such thing as a lock for YS (and debatable at H, but I think there's no lock there either). Lock at CCN down, I think. Work experience is valuable but if and only if you can weave it into your personal narrative. Take the time to prepare a convincing narrative of why you, as an international, want to go to a US law school. This is especially important for Y. Good luck!