AA/3.08/170, thank you for the help Forum

[JabbatheGreat]

Hi TLS, I just recently made an account because I've been lurking for years and am in a tough bind regarding my applications later this year.
I am AA and my last LSAT score was a 170 (about 5 below what I've been PTing), the issue is that my GPA is very low (3.0), and my major (Political Science) is not known for being rigorous. I don't want to be shut out of the T-14, but I'm not entirely sure what can be done to improve my application. I've had three different internships over the last 4 years, and one leadership position on campus, but that's about it.
Should I add an extra year at my university to help boost my GPA (my last two semesters i had a 4.0 with 18 credit hours each semester, and am confident I can keep above a 3.5 if I add on two semesters). Or will I be able to at least gain admission to some top schools?
Outside of the T-14 the only schools I planned on applying to were Case Western, Ohio State, Emory, UCLA and Morehouse.

[Barack O'Drama]

With a 170 you can and should apply to the T-14. You could probably snag some of the lower top 14. If you can find a way to bring your GPA up to a 3.5 you would be looking at T-6 and possibly H and S. Also bring up the GPA will certainly be a way to get more $.


http://mylsn.info/v0b23b/

I ran your numbers on myLSN and this is what I got (I had to use a gap of 3.0-3.3 due to the low percentage of AA males with your high LSAT score)

I think with your great LSAT it would be a shame to waste on anything but the T14.

What type of law do you want to practice and where is your ideal location?

[Lexaholik]

Hi TLS, I just recently made an account because I've been lurking for years and am in a tough bind regarding my applications later this year.
I am AA and my last LSAT score was a 170 (about 5 below what I've been PTing), the issue is that my GPA is very low (3.0), and my major (Political Science) is not known for being rigorous. I don't want to be shut out of the T-14, but I'm not entirely sure what can be done to improve my application. I've had three different internships over the last 4 years, and one leadership position on campus, but that's about it.
Should I add an extra year at my university to help boost my GPA (my last two semesters i had a 4.0 with 18 credit hours each semester, and am confident I can keep above a 3.5 if I add on two semesters). Or will I be able to at least gain admission to some top schools?
Outside of the T-14 the only schools I planned on applying to were Case Western, Ohio State, Emory, UCLA and Morehouse.

You have a good shot at getting a T14 with a 3.1/170. Even without your AA status you'd have a really good shot at getting into NU.

I suppose you could increase your odds by staying in school an additional year, but even if you get a 4.0 the entire year, it'll only raise your overall GPA to something like 3.3. So it won't be that big of a bump anyways--especially considering the costs of an extra year of school, the possibility of getting a lower GPA, etc.

[pppp]

You should retake. Not because a 170 isn't gonna get you the schools you want, but because you were PTing 5 points higher. A 175 would get you more scholarship money around the T-14. Bump you over some 75th percentiles, etc. Just apply broadly because you're not sure who's gonna really want you or give you the most $. But don't leave the T-14, you should be in at a few schools there.

[Mikey]

Yeah if you were PTing at around 175 and think you are capable of pulling it off on test day, definitely retake!

[JabbatheGreat]

Thank you all for the support! I'm definitely considering a retake, and I'll just spend the next few months PTing in different environments and locations.

[ronanOgara]

Thank you all for the support! I'm definitely considering a retake, and I'll just spend the next few months PTing in different environments and locations.

Good luck OP! I scored lower on my first LSAT than my PTs and I felt it was attributable to nerves. I scored much better on my subsequent attempts. 2nd time around will be much more relaxing for you and you're sitting on a GREAT score to start with!

[InTrodusT]

Thanks for the info
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