178/3.47 - What are my chances at T14? Forum

[cabj832]

The LSN database, while helpful, had a pretty small sample size of individuals with a split like mine. I would appreciate any other perspectives, particularly on the more qualitative components of my application.

Other relevant information includes:

Two years work experience in city government with a very high level of responsibility - worked regularly with lawyers to draft legislation and negotiate agreements.
Strong extracurriculars in college
Not a URM, but an immigrant from South America
I applied/am applying late in the cycle

What are my chances at T14? Specifically, do I have any chance at getting into Harvard?

Thanks in advance!

[cavalier1138]

Applying late is a bad idea for a splitter, so it's harder to make any real predictions.

You should get in at NYU, probably Columbia, not so sure about Chicago (they emphasize GPA a little more than the others). Likely in at the rest of the T14. But you're screwing yourself out of scholarships by applying this late in the game, assuming you get in.

Edit: Forgot to indicate that "the rest of the T14" did not include HYS. No shot there.

[floatie]

Your GPA is going to keep you out of Harvard, unfortunately, but you have a decent shot at non-HYS T-14s. But like cavalier said, your options for scholarships are limited, whereas you'd be raking in money if you applied in September/October (for a Fall 2018 entrance)

[cabj832]

That's roughly what I expected - thank you both very much. Any advice on how best to take advantage of what limited scholarship options I may have?

[cavalier1138]

That's roughly what I expected - thank you both very much. Any advice on how best to take advantage of what limited scholarship options I may have?

Negotiate. Or be prepared to wait a cycle if you don't get a good offer. Applying at the beginning of a cycle would get you significant offers from most of those schools.

[Thomas Hagan, ESQ.]

I've seen much lower LSAT/GPA combos get into Penn but they're paying sticker.
I would agree with the others and suggest that you sit out this cycle, perfect your PS/Why X letters, and submit September/October. You'll thank yourself.

Sincerely,
A reapplicant

[candidlatke]

i think you have a non-zero chance at harvard. iirc, their gpa floor is at around a 3.5 (i forget if this is for urms or if they dip even lower for urms).

miniscule, but nonzero. possibly worth a hail mary with a pristine app

[Dcc617]

The people I know with around your numbers who got money at T14 applied the day the apps opened up.

So the good news is that it's possible for you to pull some big money at T14.

The bad news is wait until next cycle.