3.4 GPA/178 LSAT Forum

[welpicant]

Hi I think I’m considered a splitter (maybe super splitter?)

I was wondering about my chances at a T14? I'm also asian, so I'm pretty sure I dont qualify as URM. I guess my worry is I started school at a traditional high ranked public university but took time off (about 4-5 years) because of financial issues with my family and when I went back to school I finished in a non-traditional school. It made sense because my job lead me to the Boston area and my work paid for most of my tuition. My GPA drop is because I was working 2 jobs (1 full time/1 part time) while going to school before I left. Anyways..

I have about 6 yrs of work experience (legal assistant/paralegal/office manager - that kinda stuff)

I've also been a semi-competitive boxer - 3-0 amateur - and I'm a girl. (does this count as a soft? lol)

i dont know what else that'll help me be considered and I dont think I want to retake the LSAT. One time was once too many. I guess if I realistically wont be considered for a T14 I wont bother.

Thanks!

edit - specific school info because someone told me that it was a little to specific because my circumstances are unique.

[grades??]

You'll get some t14s for sure. Just apply super early on in the cycle and have a really well written application.

[welpicant]

You'll get some t14s for sure. Just apply super early on in the cycle and have a really well written application.

Really?!

Best news I've heard all day. Thanks!

[Nachoo2019]

Apply the first day applications come out and apply to the entire T-14 minus HYS. You could snag a T6 at sticker and probably some money somewhere else in the T14. If you get your apps out day one the admissions counsellors don't know what the cycle of applicants is going to look like yet and they could jump all over your 178.

Your cycle will be unpredictable so definitely blanket the T14 and any other strong regional schools in the are you want to work. For example if you want Texas, also apply to UT. If you want SoCal also apply to UCLA/USC. You will get a ton of money outside the T14.


Congrats on killing the LSAT!

[Mikey]

Hope this helps!

[Redfactor]

I think you'll do fine. Your GPA is not as terrible as it could be and you're above the 75% for every school. Plus you have legit work experience, a strong soft with boxing, and there was a decent break between bad grades (UCB) and hopefully strong grades (HES).

Also, I think most committees will recognize HES for what it is. While it's a shortcut to get "Harvard" on your resume, it's still a more rigorous program for degree candidates than most state schools. It's not a shortcut to a degree and the education, while not Harvard College, is still good.

University of Chicago might be tough, but I anticipate Columbia on down with some decent money options. I don't think H is out of the question, either.
Blanket everyone and see what happens.

Oh, and whoever may have suggested retaking a 178 is wrong. There is zero advantage to retaking that score.

Best of luck.

[welpicant]

Thanks Nachoo! I was super stoked when I got my score back. I was consistently scoring around 173-175 for practice tests and I've heard people tend to score worse on the real exam and i was thinking I'd get around 170.

Thanks for the chart Mikey!

This is giving me hope!

[welpicant]

Oh, and whoever may have suggested retaking a 178 is wrong. There is zero advantage to retaking that score.

Best of luck.

Thank you!

That's what I thought too but a co-worker suggested I retake and aim for a 180 and I'm not about that life... I want to think she was being a troll but who knows.

[Redfactor]

Oh, and whoever may have suggested retaking a 178 is wrong. There is zero advantage to retaking that score.

Best of luck.

Thank you!

That's what I thought too but a co-worker suggested I retake and aim for a 180 and I'm not about that life... I want to think she was being a troll but who knows.

Who cares what that person says. You've accomplished something that person will never be able to do, regardless of effort invested.

This website projects a strong statement that the LSAT is a learnable test, and it is. But even those who are wicked smart and study/learn the test the way they should rarely get a 178. That's a truly elite score.

There are probably fewer than 40 total test takers a year who get a 178+. Grats.

[welpicant]

Oh, and whoever may have suggested retaking a 178 is wrong. There is zero advantage to retaking that score.

Best of luck.

Thank you!

That's what I thought too but a co-worker suggested I retake and aim for a 180 and I'm not about that life... I want to think she was being a troll but who knows.

Who cares what that person says. You've accomplished something that person will never be able to do, regardless of effort invested.

This website projects a strong statement that the LSAT is a learnable test, and it is. But even those who are wicked smart and study/learn the test the way they should rarely get a 178. That's a truly elite score.

There are probably fewer than 40 total test takers a year who get a 178+. Grats.

Thank you!

I guess I should also mention that I'm an immigrant (came to the US when I was 6) and I'm the first in the family to finish my undergrad, let alone consider law school.

Would that help in any way? The reason I killed myself for the LSATs was because I wanted to get into a T14 and maybe get some form of scholarship..

[Nachoo2019]

Oh, and whoever may have suggested retaking a 178 is wrong. There is zero advantage to retaking that score.

Best of luck.

Thank you!

That's what I thought too but a co-worker suggested I retake and aim for a 180 and I'm not about that life... I want to think she was being a troll but who knows.

Who cares what that person says. You've accomplished something that person will never be able to do, regardless of effort invested.

This website projects a strong statement that the LSAT is a learnable test, and it is. But even those who are wicked smart and study/learn the test the way they should rarely get a 178. That's a truly elite score.

There are probably fewer than 40 total test takers a year who get a 178+. Grats.

Thank you!

I guess I should also mention that I'm an immigrant (came to the US when I was 6) and I'm the first in the family to finish my undergrad, let alone consider law school.

Would that help in any way? The reason I killed myself for the LSATs was because I wanted to get into a T14 and maybe get some form of scholarship..

What country are you from?

[welpicant]

Oh, and whoever may have suggested retaking a 178 is wrong. There is zero advantage to retaking that score.

Best of luck.

Thank you!

That's what I thought too but a co-worker suggested I retake and aim for a 180 and I'm not about that life... I want to think she was being a troll but who knows.

Who cares what that person says. You've accomplished something that person will never be able to do, regardless of effort invested.

This website projects a strong statement that the LSAT is a learnable test, and it is. But even those who are wicked smart and study/learn the test the way they should rarely get a 178. That's a truly elite score.

There are probably fewer than 40 total test takers a year who get a 178+. Grats.

Thank you!

I guess I should also mention that I'm an immigrant (came to the US when I was 6) and I'm the first in the family to finish my undergrad, let alone consider law school.

Would that help in any way? The reason I killed myself for the LSATs was because I wanted to get into a T14 and maybe get some form of scholarship..

What country are you from?

South Korea - so I dont think where I'm from is gonna help me much

[Nachoo2019]

Ahhh unfortuanately Asian is not considered a URM. I am Iranian and I don't count either so I feel your pain!

Although you don't count as a URM you should definitely highlight that you are an immigrant and that you are the first in your family to go to college! Those two softs will give you a marginal boost.

[pittsburghpirates]

Apply the first day applications come out and apply to the entire T-14 minus HYS. You could snag a T6 at sticker and probably some money somewhere else in the T14. If you get your apps out day one the admissions counsellors don't know what the cycle of applicants is going to look like yet and they could jump all over your 178.

Your cycle will be unpredictable so definitely blanket the T14 and any other strong regional schools in the are you want to work. For example if you want Texas, also apply to UT. If you want SoCal also apply to UCLA/USC. You will get a ton of money outside the T14.

Congrats on killing the LSAT!

Congrats on a great LSAT score. I'd take it a step further and say that you could snag some $ at a T6 (at least that's what data suggests from this cycle) and I would def spend the money to apply to at least H but probably to all of HYS as well. But like nacho said, blanket the rest of the T14 and any strong regionals in the areas you want to practice.

Write optional essays for all of the T14 minus HYS to try to avoid as many waitlists as you can and negotiate like crazy when the time comes. Make sure your PS is buttoned up (sounds like you could have potentially identified a topic already) and get those apps in as early as you can. I think you will be in for a very good, though slightly unpredictable, cycle.

Happy to share any additional advice over PM if you like. Best of luck OP

[welpicant]

Apply the first day applications come out and apply to the entire T-14 minus HYS. You could snag a T6 at sticker and probably some money somewhere else in the T14. If you get your apps out day one the admissions counsellors don't know what the cycle of applicants is going to look like yet and they could jump all over your 178.

Your cycle will be unpredictable so definitely blanket the T14 and any other strong regional schools in the are you want to work. For example if you want Texas, also apply to UT. If you want SoCal also apply to UCLA/USC. You will get a ton of money outside the T14.

Congrats on killing the LSAT!

Congrats on a great LSAT score. I'd take it a step further and say that you could snag some $ at a T6 (at least that's what data suggests from this cycle) and I would def spend the money to apply to at least H but probably to all of HYS as well. But like nacho said, blanket the rest of the T14 and any strong regionals in the areas you want to practice.

Write optional essays for all of the T14 minus HYS to try to avoid as many waitlists as you can and negotiate like crazy when the time comes. Make sure your PS is buttoned up (sounds like you could have potentially identified a topic already) and get those apps in as early as you can. I think you will be in for a very good, though slightly unpredictable, cycle.

Happy to share any additional advice over PM if you like. Best of luck OP

Thank you. I've been reading a lot about people applying ED to Northwestern.. do you think that's a viable option for me?

[Nachoo2019]

Apply the first day applications come out and apply to the entire T-14 minus HYS. You could snag a T6 at sticker and probably some money somewhere else in the T14. If you get your apps out day one the admissions counsellors don't know what the cycle of applicants is going to look like yet and they could jump all over your 178.

Your cycle will be unpredictable so definitely blanket the T14 and any other strong regional schools in the are you want to work. For example if you want Texas, also apply to UT. If you want SoCal also apply to UCLA/USC. You will get a ton of money outside the T14.

Congrats on killing the LSAT!

Congrats on a great LSAT score. I'd take it a step further and say that you could snag some $ at a T6 (at least that's what data suggests from this cycle) and I would def spend the money to apply to at least H but probably to all of HYS as well. But like nacho said, blanket the rest of the T14 and any strong regionals in the areas you want to practice.

Write optional essays for all of the T14 minus HYS to try to avoid as many waitlists as you can and negotiate like crazy when the time comes. Make sure your PS is buttoned up (sounds like you could have potentially identified a topic already) and get those apps in as early as you can. I think you will be in for a very good, though slightly unpredictable, cycle.

Happy to share any additional advice over PM if you like. Best of luck OP

Thank you. I've been reading a lot about people applying ED to Northwestern.. do you think that's a viable option for me?

If you are looking to minimize debt this would be a great option. NU seems to be splitter friendly and you're wayyyy over their 75th LSAT. If you want big law and don't want the insane debt load this would be a great option

[cavalier1138]

Thank you. I've been reading a lot about people applying ED to Northwestern.. do you think that's a viable option for me?

I think that's an option you should only take if you know for sure that Northwestern is your top choice beyond all other competitors. Otherwise, as mentioned, you should still be getting good money offers from a lot of the T14 during the regular cycle.

[Tiago Splitter]

I would definitely ED Northwestern. I don't think any school that places as well as NU does is going to offer anywhere near 150k.

[grades??]

I would definitely ED Northwestern. I don't think any school that places as well as NU does is going to offer anywhere near 150k.

Got just under that with a slightly lower lsat at PVD. I would not ED IN THIS CASE AT ALL.

[Tiago Splitter]

I would definitely ED Northwestern. I don't think any school that places as well as NU does is going to offer anywhere near 150k.

Got just under that with a slightly lower lsat at PVD. I would not ED IN THIS CASE AT ALL.

So in other words you still would have had a better outcome (or at worst the same outcome) by being admitted ED to NU? My advice remains the same.

[grades??]

I would definitely ED Northwestern. I don't think any school that places as well as NU does is going to offer anywhere near 150k.

Got just under that with a slightly lower lsat at PVD. I would not ED IN THIS CASE AT ALL.

So in other words you still would have had a better outcome (or at worst the same outcome) by being admitted ED to NU? My advice remains the same.

No so I was able to attend a better school for the same price and had options to choose from rather than just ED NU which also doesn't actually cover their full tuition anymore plus a ton of their professors are leaving. But any who.

[Tiago Splitter]

I would definitely ED Northwestern. I don't think any school that places as well as NU does is going to offer anywhere near 150k.

Got just under that with a slightly lower lsat at PVD. I would not ED IN THIS CASE AT ALL.

So in other words you still would have had a better outcome (or at worst the same outcome) by being admitted ED to NU? My advice remains the same.

No so I was able to attend a better school for the same price and had options to choose from rather than just ED NU which also doesn't actually cover their full tuition anymore plus a ton of their professors are leaving. But any who.

You didn't get into a better school. You got into a school ranked higher by US News and World Report. Nice red herring btw with the "doesn't even cover their full tuition" line.

It's good to know the options for people with these numbers have improved if they miss the ED NU boat, but I still don't see the downside unless Chicago is flat out unworkable.

[sleepingjoker]

I would definitely ED Northwestern. I don't think any school that places as well as NU does is going to offer anywhere near 150k.

Got just under that with a slightly lower lsat at PVD. I would not ED IN THIS CASE AT ALL.

So in other words you still would have had a better outcome (or at worst the same outcome) by being admitted ED to NU? My advice remains the same.

No so I was able to attend a better school for the same price and had options to choose from rather than just ED NU which also doesn't actually cover their full tuition anymore plus a ton of their professors are leaving. But any who.

You didn't get into a better school. You got into a school ranked higher by US News and World Report. Nice red herring btw with the "doesn't even cover their full tuition" line.

It's good to know the options for people with these numbers have improved if they miss the ED NU boat, but I still don't see the downside unless Chicago is flat out unworkable.

IMO OP has a pretty good shot at CCN with decent $ and a non-zero chance at H. EDing at NU has the downside of removing all of those options while its pretty possible that if he just applied RD NU would give him close to full scholly anyway.

[pittsburghpirates]

Thank you. I've been reading a lot about people applying ED to Northwestern.. do you think that's a viable option for me?

I think that's an option you should only take if you know for sure that Northwestern is your top choice beyond all other competitors. Otherwise, as mentioned, you should still be getting good money offers from a lot of the T14 during the regular cycle.

Agree here. If you want to minimize debt, EDing NU is a great option and NU is a great school. I do think that you will get some good $ in the T14, but Tiago definitely has a point that you would be unlikely to get more than the $150K. But if you are not sure that NU is where you want to be, I think its perfectly fine to apply broadly and not ED anywhere. With early apps, splitters had pretty good cycles this past cycle despite the uptick in high LSATs.

[Redfactor]

Thank you. I've been reading a lot about people applying ED to Northwestern.. do you think that's a viable option for me?

I think that's an option you should only take if you know for sure that Northwestern is your top choice beyond all other competitors. Otherwise, as mentioned, you should still be getting good money offers from a lot of the T14 during the regular cycle.

Agree here. If you want to minimize debt, EDing NU is a great option and NU is a great school. I do think that you will get some good $ in the T14, but Tiago definitely has a point that you would be unlikely to get more than the $150K. But if you are not sure that NU is where you want to be, I think its perfectly fine to apply broadly and not ED anywhere. With early apps, splitters had pretty good cycles this past cycle despite the uptick in high LSATs.

I would caution against thinking this year's early applicant splitters will have a similar experience. For the last several years, the number of high LSATs have been historically low, so schools have been jumping on them.

Last year's uptick in high LSATs lessened the need for schools to 'jump on' early splitters as they likely have more confidence that they can wait and see what becomes available later in the cycle and still hit median goals.

I still think you'll have a great cycle (NU ED or through RD) and applying early is to your benefit, I just think last year's splitter cycle and this year's will be different. To what degree is anyone's guess.