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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.

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?

JabbatheGreat wrote: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.

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.

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

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.

JabbatheGreat wrote: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!

Thanks for the info
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