3.65 gpa - What LSAT would make me competitive for NYU and Columbia? Forum

[Synapse2018]

I will be taking the LSAT in November. I'd like to ask what score I would need to be competitive for these programs and competitive for a scholarship as well. I took one practice LSAT blind with no preparation and scored 165. I'm hoping six months of 2 hour study sessions per day will be enough to significantly boost my score. From what I understand, the LSAT is relies on many strategies that can be learned to better prep.

Here are my stats:
Applying regular decsion
Age: 32 - married with children.
Undergrad - NYU as non-traditional student
Degree: BS Information Systems Management
GPA: 3.65
Applying as URM - half mexican, half middle eastern
Other possible hooks: Developed severe epilepsy during college leading to multiple seizures per day at one point. I worked full time and attended school full-time during the peak. I'm in better health now.

Work experience: 10 years total in finance/IT startup environments. Own a small consulting firm managing 4 associates.
Volunteer: My company does pro bono work for local non profits

Plan to focus on cybersecurity and privacy laws which I feel are a natural progression from working on IT security for a decade.

[dropout]

165 would be competitive, although some are getting in with scores as low as 160

[Synapse2018]

165 would be competitive, although some are getting in with scores as low as 160

160? Isn’t that a little low for NYU and especially Columbia?

[dropout]

Yes, 160 is the lowest accepted score from an applicant with your gpa on the law school numbers website

[Synapse2018]

Yes, 160 is the lowest accepted score from an applicant with your gpa on the law school numbers website

Those may be unique circumstances. I’m trying to shoot for the average for my gpa at least since my gpa is closer to the 25% mark than the 50%

[chenin_blanc]

Yes, 160 is the lowest accepted score from an applicant with your gpa on the law school numbers website

Those may be unique circumstances. I’m trying to shoot for the average for my gpa at least since my gpa is closer to the 25% mark than the 50%

The general rule of thumb is that if one of your scores is close to the 25%, your other score should be close to the 75%

For NYU, that's 170
For Columbia, that's 173

Here's you with a 170-171, according to MyLSN.

Here's you with a 172-173, according to MyLSN.

Missed the URM part. Sorry

[jacketyellow]

163-165 is around the sweet spot for a URM. You could maybe even gain admission to Harvard, as that school reaches further down for even lower LSAT scores from qualified URMs. You'll definitely get some acceptances from the lower t14 with a score like that, and would probably get scholarships. Use those scholarships to negotiate with NYU or Columbia.

(This is all assuming you get a 163-165.)

[chenin_blanc]

Redacted

[Synapse2018]

163-165 is around the sweet spot for a URM. You could maybe even gain admission to Harvard, as that school reaches further down for even lower LSAT scores from qualified URMs. You'll definitely get some acceptances from the lower t14 with a score like that, and would probably get scholarships. Use those scholarships to negotiate with NYU or Columbia.

(This is all assuming you get a 163-165.)

Thanks. That somewhat takes some pressure off this LSAT exam. It's so hard to put in the same studying hours as someone who doesn't have children. I hope that's taken into consideration by admissions if my score is shy of my 170 goal.

NYU is my top choice because of the cybersecurity program. I have legal experience dealing with financial filings and contracts as well, but cybersecurity is really what I want to focus on during law school.