2.5 GPA 177 LSAT Academic Probation What are my Chances??? Forum

[MajesticSeaFlapFlap]

Hey ya'll,

I feel like I shot myself in the foot with academic probation and a low GPA during my undergrad.
It was due to a death and a family and I found it impossible to focus for the semester. I wrote a strong addendum taking full responsibility for my probation regarding this.


My first question is, do you recommend writing an addenda for a low GPA in addition to the probation one? Or is it kind of an overkill/repetitive? It is for the same term, my freshman year. Also there is improvement in my GPA each semester thereafter.

My second question is, how badly did I screw myself over? Obviously I don't think I can swing an admission into HLS or Yale... but I've been doing some research on the UGPA/LSAT calculator on the lsac website, and I believe I have a better chance of getting into private schools. Luckily my parents offered to foot the bill for law school until I can pay them back so that is good news. Do you think that I still have a chance of getting into Notre Dame, William & Mary, BC, or Vanderbilt if I write a hell of personal statement? Also my LOR's are very strong, I have one from my boss at LexisNexis, my pre-law professor, and the athletics director at my undergrad who is like a mentor to me ( I played DI Volleyball).

Also what do you think the chances are for a lower end of a T14 like Georgetown?


Please be brutally honest!

[mephistofeles]

At this point, due to the scarcity of data points, I don't think anyone can say conclusively what your chances are. But the received wisdom perhaps is that the more years you are removed from your undergrad record, the better it would be for you. The academic probation would not have any direct impact on your admissions. The 2.5 GPA would hurt your chances though.

[stig2014]

To second the above poster, the academic probation won't impact you outside of the GPA in itself. In my opinion you would be best off by addressing the academic probation in the required character & fitness addendum you will have to write when you disclose it. At this point you could address why your GPA was low for that semester and get it all taken care of in one document. Provided you keep it brief and show how you succeeded later on, I think it could be fairly compelling and help to address some of the issues that will invariably arise with your GPA.

Great job on the LSAT, since there are few other applicants with your numbers I think you'll get the advice here to apply broadly; but I'd be willing to bet that at least one or two t-14's will bite on that high of an LSAT.

[MajesticSeaFlapFlap]

Thanks Stig, and thank you Mephistopheles. I really appreciate the input! I'll be sure to cast a even wider net. Might as well, right?


To answer your question M, I'm applying one year after I graduated in '15. So there's only really one year off between undergrad and starting again next fall. Maybe not the best decision, but I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for the best. I know I want to get started ASAP.

At this point, due to the scarcity of data points, I don't think anyone can say conclusively what your chances are. But the received wisdom perhaps is that the more years you are removed from your undergrad record, the better it would be for you. The academic probation would not have any direct impact on your admissions. The 2.5 GPA would hurt your chances though.

[totesTheGoat]

Frankly, if I were you, I'd think about working a couple years and coming back to law school. I think your app will look tons better with 2-3 years of substantive work experience, and you'll get more T-14 bites. I know it's not the answer you're looking for, but that's what I'd do in that situation (unless you can't find anywhere to get substantive work experience).

[winkles]

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