<p>Good point, Sakky.</p>
<p>Some schools will overlook a low starting GPA if you really do well afterwards - but Columbia, with over 8,000 apps for less than 400 seats, might not need to do that. </p>
<p>As such, if you truly have your heart set on Columbia, you can follow my long-term process:
*Transfer to college and do as well as possible. You will not have the 3.6 you'll need at the end, as your JC credits are averaged in. Don't lose too much sleep over this. There's more to come.
*Take a lot of time off between college and law school. Develop a stellar resume (i.e. more than just entry level jobs). Doesn't matter the field - and a really unusual field might be good. This is a good time to foster your interests. Two reasons for this step: the further out you are, the less important your grades are; also, the resume will become important in admissions when it actually has stuff on it. I know people who are doing things like communications set-up in Afghanistan - that's neat and will add to a legal community. Waitering - not so much. Oh, yes - and your experience will make great fodder for a personal statement.
*Step 3: obtain a masters degree, and really do well in those courses. Law schools understand that someone who can handle masters work, despite an unimpressive collegiate performance, can handle law school. Subject matter: whatever you are most interested in.
*Step 4: crush the LSAT. Even with the above steps, general thought is that if your GPA is below the 25% mark, your LSAT should be above th 75% mark - i.e. well into the 170s. I know someone who got into Columbia with a 3.2 - but that's engineering and he had a 175. </p>
<p>Anyone? Thoughts? Agree? Disagree? More steps?</p>