3.23/174 - Non-traditional with a unique situation Forum

[TheToolMan]

I realized I should have posted here in the first place.

First post here, long time lurker.

I'm a graduate of a Big 10 school. Stats: 3.23/174. 27 years old. White male. My GPA at the University is 3.6x, however when I was first starting out I didn't take things too seriously and got some very poor grades at a community college. My GPA the last two years is 3.8+. I worked full-time throughout college to support myself and took classes mostly part-time. I'm the first in my family to graduate college.

I like the prospect of living in Indiana and have considered IU Bloomingon an option. However I would like to shoot higher and apply to NW or some others in the T-14. Do I have any sort of shot?

[Lexaholik]

I realized I should have posted here in the first place.

First post here, long time lurker.

I'm a graduate of a Big 10 school. Stats: 3.23/174. 27 years old. White male. My GPA at the University is 3.6x, however when I was first starting out I didn't take things too seriously and got some very poor grades at a community college. My GPA the last two years is 3.8+. I worked full-time throughout college to support myself and took classes mostly part-time. I'm the first in my family to graduate college.

I like the prospect of living in Indiana and have considered IU Bloomingon an option. However I would like to shoot higher and apply to NW or some others in the T-14. Do I have any sort of shot?

You'll probably get into IU and will probably get into Northwestern too. I got into NU years ago off the waitlist with a 2.9/170. Just make sure you apply broadly--even though TLS posters will all say you're a lock for NU/GULC and have a good shot at a few other T14s. Success with your numbers is not guaranteed. Make sure you also put together a strong application by writing all optional essays and putting together a decent personal statement. With your 3.8+ in the last few years, you should be able to snag some strong recommendations as well.

And when you do apply, be prepared to sit on the waitlist for a while. If you read through the Splitters in Limbo thread, you'll know what to expect when you're waiting to hear back from schools.

[landshoes]

Apply to every T-14 school; you are going to be a strange applicant and it's hard to say how things will turn out. Give yourself as many options as you can.

[TheToolMan]

You'll probably get into IU and will probably get into Northwestern too. I got into NU years ago off the waitlist with a 2.9/170. Just make sure you apply broadly--even though TLS posters will all say you're a lock for NU/GULC and have a good shot at a few other T14s. Success with your numbers is not guaranteed. Make sure you also put together a strong application by writing all optional essays and putting together a decent personal statement. With your 3.8+ in the last few years, you should be able to snag some strong recommendations as well.

And when you do apply, be prepared to sit on the waitlist for a while. If you read through the Splitters in Limbo thread, you'll know what to expect when you're waiting to hear back from schools.

Thank you for the reply. I will check out those threads. I do intend to put together a thorough and well thought out application. I know of one strong LOR I can get from a professor and the business I work for is owned by a prominent local attorney who will write me one.

Apply to every T-14 school; you are going to be a strange applicant and it's hard to say how things will turn out. Give yourself as many options as you can.

I've considered this. It seems like a long shot for the most part, but what can it hurt?