<p>My school advisor says that I am too young for law school and that my age will really hurt my chances in getting in. Is that true? I'm 20 and finished my undergrad in 3.5 years w/ 3 majors (although I admit my GPA is pretty low - 3.0). I currently attend UW-Madison and graduate in December.</p>
<p>I really want to get into a first tier law school. My dream school is Columbia - but I know that's a stretch; my advisor even told me not to waste my time on Columbia since I won't have a chance to get in! I'm taking my LSAT in September, so hopefully I'll be able to get a high score to negate my GPA.</p>
<p>What do you guys think?</p>
<p>Summary of my stats:
Age: 20
School: UW-Madison
GPA: 3.0
Graduated: 3.5 years
Majors: Poli Sci, International Studies, Legal Studies
Race: Chinese
Languages: Mandarin and English
I worked and volunteered throughout my college career as well.</p>
<p>sounds like you overworked yourself a little bit. I am not an admissions officer but I think your GPA will keep you out of the top tier Law Schools</p>
<p>Yes, you are. There was some hubbub made last year when some 19 yr old kid had the #'s to get into yale (like a 4.0, 178 deal) but didn't. He asked why and he was told that he was to young. Law schools do look down on people who graduated early and apply after graduation. If you wait 2 years, no you wont be looked down upon, however you're going to have a very hard time getting into a top 25 school with a 3.0</p>
<p>A few years ago Yale accepted a 16 year old--the son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen. The "word" was it did suggest that he defer admission for at least two years. There is also a 19 year old who graduated from Harvard Law--he did something pretty juvenile and in bad taste that got him a lot of notoriety while he was a Harvard Law student, but he got in. </p>
<p>A 4.0 and a 178 in and of itself won't get you into YLS. I doubt that anyone at Yale Law School told the applicant that he didn't get in because he was too young if he was 19.</p>
<p>And, no, your age will NOT hurt you. You aren't that young. If you are 20 now you will be at least 21 when you start law school, and LOTS of folks are that young when they start law school. Yes, a little work experience--especially something like Teach for America or the Peace Corps--will help a bit, but not much. </p>
<p>Study for the LSAT and do well. PSedrish--a former moderator--had a daughter who got into Harvard Law and got a free ride at UMich with a 3.2 and a 180 LSAT.</p>
<p>And I don't mean to be cruel either but your triple major will not help you one iota. To help at all, the fields have to be diverse, e.g., civil engineering and art history.</p>
<p>sigh, more misinformation on this board. Really, if you don't know what you're talking about then don't reply to posts. </p>
<p>1) actually, they DID tell him he was to young.</p>
<p>2) your age WILL hurt you. Hell, just wait two years and apply then. You can build up some solid work experience which will help your applicatioin. </p>
<p>And remember, if you get a 180 on the lsat you can get a full ride at umich and into harvard....it's not THAT hard</p>
<p>If you're going to win admission to a first tier law school, you're going to have to persuade the admissions committee to choose your application over those of thousands of people who earned higher GPAs, regardless of how well you eventually do on the LSAT.</p>
<p>Think of it as the first argument you make in your legal career. Keep in mind that you're trying to persuade them to set aside one of the two main criteria they usually use for making their decision because something in your application is just that compelling. </p>
<p>Sure, Psedrish's daughter got into Harvard with a 3.2 GPA (from Harvard, it's only fair to point out). And Spud Webb made it to the NBA even though he was only 5'6". But Spud also won the dunking competition at the NBA All-Star game. If you're going to get into a first tier law school, you need to figure out what makes you the Spud Webb of B students, and figure out how you'll get that across in your personal statement.</p>
<p>I wouldn't worry about the age. As somebody else said, you'll be 21 when you start. I'm 22 and a law student, so I doubt that year will make much of a difference.</p>
<p>Age is not the problem, as everyone else pointed out it is your UGPA. Do well on the LSAT and maybe a tier 1 will take a chance on a splitter. The LSAT is your oppurtunity to shine and maybe your only chance to get into a tier 1 school.</p>
<p>Lax, I assume your remark is addressed to me. I would bet one heck of a lot of money that I know FAR more students and recent grads at YHSCCN law schools that you do. MANY of them were admitted to law school coming straight from college and were as young or younger than the OP when admitted. </p>
<p>Some of them did defer. That includes many who received Rhodes, Marshall, Gates, Fullbright, Rotary,Watson,Mellon, Coral and other fellowships.They were accepted to law school and THEN received the fellowship. Others deferred to work in political campaigns.</p>
<p>Folks who take time off to work before attending law school with the thought that this will help them get into a top law school are in for a rude awakening. Taking time off is, IMO, a good idea. However, less than 5 years of WE at a regular job really doesn't help much. Peace Corps or Teach for America does help. Military experience does help. Doing something extraordinary does help. Regular jobs don't help you get into one of the top 14-except at Northwestern.</p>
<p>3.0 is a low GPA. But if the OP actually got a 180, she would have a shot at schools in the top 14.</p>