3.2/166 URM chances at T-14? Forum

[LawSchoolHopeful810]

Hi everyone, I've lurked these forums for several years now and have finally decided to pull the trigger on applying to law school. I'm applying this fall and would love some input on my chances at T-14 schools.

I graduated 2 years ago from a top 10 state school with a poli sci/philosophy degree with a 3.2 GPA (3.6 major GPA). My low GPA is partly due to being heavily involved in ECs, and quite frankly, not putting 100% effort into gen-ed classes. I'm a Puerto Rican male, which I understand falls under "URM" status. I'm also the first in my family to graduate from college. My undergrad ECs include:
––founder/editor-in-chief of the university's first undergraduate international relations journal
--exec board of college Democrats
--served on several university advisory boards
--involvement in several other clubs

I had three internships during undergrad-- one on a congressional campaign during the fall of my sophomore year (I worked 15+ hours a week while taking a full courseload), one at a consulting firm in DC, and one at F100 financial institution. I also have 2 years of full time work experience: a 6 month fundraising gig on a top congressional race, as well as approx. 1 1/2 years of experience on Capitol Hill.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Mikey]

It's possible, but if you retake the LSAT and get a 170+ then you will more than likely be in a much better position.

[Famous]

Frankly, your ECs aren't going to help you much with law school admissions. It's a good profile to advance a political operative/consultant's career but not relevant for law schools. As mentioned above, you need to retake the LSAT, get a 170+, and then apply broadly. Your GPA is below the 25th percentile for every T14 law school, so you need to offset that with an LSAT above the 75th percentile. At Chicago last year, that was a 172.

If you get money from non-T14s, you can hopefully use that to negotiate a reasonable package with a T14 that admitted you. But retaking the LSAT is a vital first step.