Chances for GRE Applicant T14 Forum

[gaflaher]

I'm applying a bit late in the cycle after some other opportunities didn't pan out.

GPA: 3.76 Triple major in math, econ, and philosophy

(Have compelling personal reasons for it being low - father released from prison and began harassing me, mother had a heart attack, became housing insecure)

GRE: 170V/161Q

Softs: Marshall finalist, founded nonprofit featured in NYT, helped successfully sue a state and force them to redraw a district under the VRA, helped pilot education nonprofit, Teach for America, other political and community organizing experience

[cavalier1138]

A few thoughts...

I'm applying a bit late in the cycle after some other opportunities didn't pan out.

What other opportunities? Do you actually want to be a lawyer, or is this a backup plan?

This is kind of related to the question of why you're applying with the GRE instead of the LSAT. The standards for admission for a GRE-only applicant are unclear, but it looks like these applicants normally have to be non-traditional (i.e. advanced degrees and possibly former careers in non-law-related fields). Since you seem like a fairly traditional law school applicant, I think it makes far more sense for you to not rush this process and take the LSAT if you actually want to go to law school.

(Have compelling personal reasons for it being low - father released from prison and began harassing me, mother had a heart attack, became housing insecure)

Those are indeed compelling reasons for a GPA addendum, but 3.76 isn't a low GPA. It's possible an addendum could help you if you have a semester or two where your grades were noticeably lower across the board, but without that, it seems like you performed well in college.

[gaflaher]

A few thoughts...

I'm applying a bit late in the cycle after some other opportunities didn't pan out.

What other opportunities? Do you actually want to be a lawyer, or is this a backup plan?

This is kind of related to the question of why you're applying with the GRE instead of the LSAT. The standards for admission for a GRE-only applicant are unclear, but it looks like these applicants normally have to be non-traditional (i.e. advanced degrees and possibly former careers in non-law-related fields). Since you seem like a fairly traditional law school applicant, I think it makes far more sense for you to not rush this process and take the LSAT if you actually want to go to law school.

(Have compelling personal reasons for it being low - father released from prison and began harassing me, mother had a heart attack, became housing insecure)

Those are indeed compelling reasons for a GPA addendum, but 3.76 isn't a low GPA. It's possible an addendum could help you if you have a semester or two where your grades were noticeably lower across the board, but without that, it seems like you performed well in college.

My original plan was to pursue a master's overseas before enrolling in law school. I do want to be a lawyer. As far as GPA goes, there are two semesters in which my grades are noticeably lower.

[cavalier1138]

My original plan was to pursue a master's overseas before enrolling in law school. I do want to be a lawyer.

That seems like a weird way of going about it, but regardless, I'd strongly suggest taking the LSAT to make sure you're giving yourself a wider range of school options.