Top Law Schools

White Male
Managerial Finance Major
3.42 Overall LSAC GPA
163 LSAT.

Softs are nothing special, but I do have a laughably heavy upwards GPA trend (If not for my freshman year, I would have a 3.7 overall). I practice tested for the LSAT consistently between 168-172, but only pulled off a 163 due to a mixture of a horrible curve and blowing an entire section. I do plan on retaking it at a later date though, and I'm confident I can perform much better. Speculation aside, what are my chances at these schools with my numbers as they currently stand?

SMU
Alabama
Georgia
Emory

Also, what would I need to re-score on my LSAT in order to have a good chance at getting in to Texas if I applied ED? UT-Austin would be my first choice.

Thanks!

First of all you can get a pretty good idea of your chances and seeing what sort of LSAT you need by checking out mylsn.com. I just did a quick look on LSN for somebody with your stats and it didn't look too promising. Pretty much none of the other users got into Emory or Alabama. You could have a shot at Georgia and probably could get into SMU with that LSAT but your GPA is below median. Pretty much I suggest go looking on mylsn yourself for a clearer picture.

Moral of this story is definite retake. Again a few more points which sounds very obtainable will get you into these schools and scoring a 167+ might even get you some money.

You have a good chance at all of the schools that you listed but i would just retake since you claim to be able to score significantly better.

I'd say definitely check out lsn, but I do think that you currently have a great shot at these schools. I was 3.35 and a 165 and got 105k from emory this year. I think that you should also retake, not because you have a bad shot now but because you can pull full tuition with a slightly higher score. I also think that if you are shooting for the south a retake could help if you get duke or vandy. I'm a 0L but reading through oci threads on here it seems like even in atlanta vanderbilt could give you as good or slightly better shot at firms than emory.

Pretty decent shot at Alabama. But retake, can't hurt.

TexasRebel wrote:White Male
Managerial Finance Major
3.42 Overall LSAC GPA
163 LSAT.

Softs are nothing special, but I do have a laughably heavy upwards GPA trend (If not for my freshman year, I would have a 3.7 overall). I practice tested for the LSAT consistently between 168-172, but only pulled off a 163 due to a mixture of a horrible curve and blowing an entire section. I do plan on retaking it at a later date though, and I'm confident I can perform much better. Speculation aside, what are my chances at these schools with my numbers as they currently stand?

SMU
Alabama
Georgia
Emory

Also, what would I need to re-score on my LSAT in order to have a good chance at getting in to Texas if I applied ED? UT-Austin would be my first choice.

Thanks!

I had similar numbers, applied semi-late to smu (think last day) and got accepted. It seems like 167/168 is a pretty solid score for acceptance to UT but I wouldn't suggest ED. It has been said that ED isn't weighed as heavily for UT as some other schools and if you are in state, you can likely get more than $10k/yr with a higher LSAT, and if OOS it's a decent amount of debt to commit to without knowing other offers.