Chances for GULC ED Forum

[nw1995]

Hello Everyone,

I've been on this site for quite a while, but now finally with an LSAT score on my hand I wanted get some advice.

I graduated last year with 3.2x gpa from top 20 USNWR university majoring economics. I scored 168 on the LSAT and I believe my softs are quite average. I am currently working at a small law firm in Canada(yes, I'm Canadian) as a legal assistant.

For the upcoming cycle I would blanket the top 20 schools, but because I would love to go to Georgetown, I was planning on applying ED. Do you suppose I have a shot at GULC ED with my credentials?

Thanks!

[cavalier1138]

Why the hyper-focus on GULC?

With your current numbers, you have a low chance of admission to any or the T20; WashU looks like the only exception. The trouble for you is your GPA. If you could bump your LSAT up into the 170s, that might open up some splitter-friendly schools like UVA or Northwestern. But even to the extent that would open up GULC, you'd get little to no money there.

In general, don't ED anywhere unless admission comes with a guaranteed scholarship. But in your case, you should figure out if your goals require a T13 degree. If they do, you need to retake the LSAT. If they don't, then you should start thinking about which region and practice area you want to work in after graduation, then target a T1 school in that region.

[nw1995]

Why the hyper-focus on GULC?

With your current numbers, you have a low chance of admission to any or the T20; WashU looks like the only exception. The trouble for you is your GPA. If you could bump your LSAT up into the 170s, that might open up some splitter-friendly schools like UVA or Northwestern. But even to the extent that would open up GULC, you'd get little to no money there.

In general, don't ED anywhere unless admission comes with a guaranteed scholarship. But in your case, you should figure out if your goals require a T13 degree. If they do, you need to retake the LSAT. If they don't, then you should start thinking about which region and practice area you want to work in after graduation, then target a T1 school in that region.

Hey thanks for the comment

So you're saying even in the minimal chance of getting into Georgetown with ED, that would be undesirable without scholarship money?

Also you've specifically mentioned T13, I guess that is barring GULC, and I was wondering if there are palpable differences in any respect with GULC and other lower T13 schools.

Thanks again

[The Lsat Airbender]

Again, it depends on your goals. GULC is a noticeable step down from Duke/Cornell/Northwestern nowadays in terms of biglaw placement (among other things), and biglaw in turn is important to achieve if you are going to justify paying ~$300k for law school. If you majored in economics you surely understand opportunity costs.

I agree with cavalier that committing to Georgetown without aid would be an extremely dicey proposition on the one hand, and that it's a long shot with your current numbers anyway.

[Mccoyology]

Again, it depends on your goals. GULC is a noticeable step down from Duke/Cornell/Northwestern nowadays in terms of biglaw placement (among other things), and biglaw in turn is important to achieve if you are going to justify paying ~$300k for law school. If you majored in economics you surely understand opportunity costs.

I agree with cavalier that committing to Georgetown without aid would be an extremely dicey proposition on the one hand, and that it's a long shot with your current numbers anyway.

What are the "among other things" you are referring to? I only asked because I will be applying to GULC but I want to go into government/PI. So just curious.

[ShakeAndBake]

168/3.2 Caucasian. Applied ED and got in this past cycle. Ended up not going and taking a new job because I couldn't come to terms with the debt. I had about 50k in personal savings and they offered me 30k merit total. Even so, would've been ~220k. Goals were big law which was no guarantee. I think if it was Cornell or higher I would've been fine with it, but GULC outcomes are really tough to gauge because of size and supposed self-selection. I do think for PI it is great if you can extern and network by leveraging the location. I do buy that for sure.

Moral of the story: be careful ED'ing. It's great until you get the tuition bill.