3.5+/180 Forum

[Texas_Forever]

Hey y'all,

Background
LSAT: 180
Undergrad Math / Other Quant Field double major from top 4 USNWR: 3.5+ GPA ( I don't want to be too specific but low 3.5ish)
No law related softs
TA'ed quantitative classes for 3 years, research in Math/Econ 2 summers (no pubs)
Did 6 month internship in quantitative position at a F500 company
Currently I am in tech role for a startup since my Spring 15 graduation
Texas Resident

Questions:
1. Is my GPA too low for HYS?
Obviously these would be my first choices, but I can't imagine I'd get in with my GPA. I know there's no bump for taking one of the most rigorous undergrad programs so I assume that I have no shot with my GPA so far below the 25%s. Should I even bother applying?

2. How then to maximize scholarships to Texas?
I am a Texas resident and barring admission to HYS, that's where I'd like to attend. The rest of the T6 isn't too appealing to me for their locations and the rest of the T14 schools make me a bit nervous financially without significant scholarships. I am still planning on applying to these schools, but mostly for leveraging purposes with Texas. Would I be looking at significant scholarships at any of these schools? I.E. at least large enough to reduce COA below in-state for UT...

3. What schools should I apply to outside T14?
Are there any non-T14 school that UT would even match?

Thanks everyone for your time and comments. Law school is only something I've been thinking of for about 18 months now and my situation seems at least a bit different than most of my friends/family's experience so I figured there'd be no better place to get the skinny than here.

[Mack.Hambleton]

http://lawschoolnumbers.com/fra

Probably something like this. Not worth applying to non T14 schools, outside of UT

[shump92]

1) H is known to be more splitter friendly than those other 2. An application there wouldn't be too much of a long shot. Probably no harm in applying to all three if you are very high on them and don't mind the likelihood of dings.

2) Best odds at scholarships likely with the NYC schools since you could shoot for their full-rides. If you don't get YPed, probably some money from other T14s.

3) Apply anywhere you would consider choosing over UT. No idea on who they compete with.

[Pneumonia]

You'll get T14 full rides, and shouldn't have too much trouble getting a full ride at Texas.

The biggest thing you're going to need to do for UT $$ is convince them that you want to come. IDK if you're in Austin, but if you are, go visit campus before you apply. After you apply, go visit again. Talk to the admissions people; make sure they know you want to come to UT. Beyond that, write a strong "Why UT / why 'The State of Texas'" essay.

As for H, apply early, and emphasize your quant background. I would say its worth the app fee to Stanford too, but pretty likely you'll get dinged early.

[CanadianWolf]

You should receive a few full tuition scholarship offers from among the T-14 law schools. Northwestern offers a near full tuition scholarship of $50,000 per year if accepted ED. Chicago prefers high GPAs, but NYU & Columbia are in play for generous scholarship offers.
With a 180 & a quant background with some teaching & work experience, you should consider applying to all T-14 law schools plus Texas.

Also, if your undergraduate major averaged lower grades than other majors, write an addendum with your application to share that with law school admissions folks.

[Texas_Forever]

http://lawschoolnumbers.com/fra

Probably something like this. Not worth applying to non T14 schools, outside of UT

Thanks! Yeah I've seen that profile before. Are you saying that the softs difference are mostly negligible?

[Clemenceau]

I think you have a reasonable shot at H

However, I'm not as optimistic wrt t14 full rides. You're certainly an exceptional candidate, but full rides do not come easily with a 3.5.

Northwesterns ed is worth considering. Blanket the t14 plus UT and see what happens. You'll have some good options.

[Broncos15]

For what its worth I have heard of a 3.5X on here getting a Hamilton scholly at Columbia.

I agree with the overall advice,...out of HYS...H is by far the most splitter friendly and LSAT can carry you there, I'm not nearly as confident as Y or S because GPA will hold you back there. ( Only 255 apps get in at Y anyways , so I wouldn't worry about a ding from there)

[NotAGolfer]

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