<p>From what I understand, law schools---including prestigious ones---only focus on GPA and LSAT. If this is a misperception, please tell me. </p>
<p>GPA: 3.896 (I still have about three semesters to go, so it can rise, and if you factor in A+'s, my LSAC GPA is 4.0). I also have one W.
LSAT: I haven't taken it yet, but on practice tests I get around 170, sometimes higher, sometimes lower. </p>
<p>Am I on the right track? It seems that Law is a declining field in that any JD is simply no longer worth the $150,000 in debt. That's why I'm aiming for T10, and specifically NYU and Columbia, since I wouldn't have to move and have added living costs.</p>
<p>You should check law school transparency, which contains considerable information <a href=“http://www.lawschooltransparency.com”>www.lawschooltransparency.com</a></p>
<p>If you want to do law for low debt, and have a GPA of 3.9 and an LSAT in the 170s, it sounds like you’re the classic case of taking a full ride to a lower T14.</p>
<p>In legal education one talks about top-14, top-6 and top-3 in ascending order… if you want a Hamilton (e.g. full-ride) from Columbia better have 174-175.</p>
<p>^ So there are full rides… good to know. The prior poster made it seemed like top law schools were not giving full rides anymore even with Excellent grades and test scores.</p>
<p>Quite interesting link. It seems like Columbia Law is harder to get in than Harvard law based on the stats shown. In general, it also seems like LSAT is a major factor here followed by GPA.</p>
<p>LSAT is more important to all but a few top schools. Boalt, for example, is more GPA-focused. But that importance maybe only 55% as opposed to 50%.</p>
<p>The fact is, with 3,000+ colleges, there are plenty of high GPA’s graduating every year. But there are only a couple of thousand LSAT scores over 170, which the top law schools are all competing for. (Harvard needs 600 of them all by itself.)</p>
<p>One addition to the list, with a year or two of experience, Northwestern offers nearly full tuition scholarships.</p>
<p>Remember, if you show full-ride recipients first you will see the best students first… many full-ride recipients at Columbia Law are admitted to Harvard, too. And showing only the full-riders will obscure the true difficulty of getting into any one of CCN.</p>
<p>Very interesting discussion, and thanks for the responses. I’m guessing HYS offers enough name recognition and connections that they don’t need to offer scholarships at all.</p>
<p>How much do softs factor in to scholarships? I’m very strong academically, but my school doesn’t have many extracurriculars and I haven’t had much luck landing an internship. I can probably get three solid recommendations, though. </p>
<p>I think it is pretty stat driven. No doubt connections help some students, but you have to have the stats. You should be in the mix, especially if you can squeeze out a 172 or so. Goes without saying the higher the better, I am just saying a 172 at a minimum should give you considerably more chances at the top 6 than a 170. For 7-14 or whatever (the 14 is so arbitrary, there is nothing wrong with 15-20), you should get some nice offers if you score a 170-171. I imagine there are some half scholarships as well, which clearly would at least lessen your debt considerably.</p>
<p>HYS offers need-based aid instead of merit money…</p>
<p>For merit, it really helps to be above the 75th % of LSAT and/or GPA. A 171 might get admission to NYU, for example, but no money. A 171 would get you some money on most schools below NYU, however.</p>
<p><a href=“http://mylsn.info/luduwk/”>http://mylsn.info/luduwk/</a> Play around with the numbers and you’ll see how much of a difference a good LSAT score can make. If you want a Hamilton or Ruby, be above the 75th percentile. Also, the only GPA that matters is your LSAC GPA. Congrats on the 4.0! </p>