<p>First of all, are you taking the December LSAT for Fall 2006 admission? If so, you might throw yourself out of the running for any Tier 1 (top 35 or so) school, just because they do rolling admissions. You would really be behind the eight ball in getting your applications in - January if you really worked. Those apps should be in by September, maybe October at the latest.</p>
<p>Your GPA is going to be below the 25th percentile or almost every school in the country. Doesn't mean you can't get in anywhere - just means that your LSAT will have to be really amazing to make up for it.</p>
<p>Some of this depends on what school you went to; an upward trend in grades might be very helpful (such as a 2.2 for the first two years followed by a 3.2 for the next two years). </p>
<p>I applied to law schools with a likewise very low GPA. My LSAT was high; I have work experience; I used to be an engineer; and, aside from engineering, I had a pretty good reason for getting low grades for a few semesters. I can tell you a few things about trying to get into law schools with that situation:
1. It really um, stinks. (Let's use the PG word)
2. You'll get VERY varying results. I got into schools that were substantially better than ones that waitlisted me or rejected me.<br>
3. You'll have a better shot at some schools than others. Some will overlook the low GPA because you are older; there was an upward trend; you have a master's; you have work experience. Other schools won't care at all. Generally, you might have a pretty good intuitive clue which ones will work out better than others. You also might have a better shot if you apply early decision.
4. Do everything you can to get in front of the admissions officers, so you can tell your story and explain why you want to go there. I'm convinced that scheduling an interview (and driving 700 miles, each way, for it!) got me off the waitlist.<br>
5. Apply to a lot of schools - but don't sell yourself short. I'm not trying to be overly optimistic here (because yes, I still remember the hell of trying to get through the door), but you'll have a better shot at well-established, top 25 schools than you will at schools which are trying to climb through the rankings. Rankings are based on, in part, GPA of admitted students.<br>
6. Never underestimate the importance of geographical diversity. If you are shooting for national schools, don't be afraid to apply outside of your own area.
7. I had better luck with smaller schools than with larger schools. I think it's because smaller schools really have to build a class - and a community - so who you are tends to become more important. They don't want (or need) a classful of 22-year-olds who have never faced problems before in their lives.</p>
<p>Try to get academic recommendations. Even if you have to take night classes while you work, get someone who can say good things about your writing and analytical skills.</p>
<p>Don't rule out moving to a state with great state law schools - North Carolina, Michigan, Virginia, and California come to mind. Get residency, which will help you a lot in admissions. Long-term planning (yeah, ha, I should have done the same thing) can be very helpful. </p>
<p>Oh, yeah - don't apply to schools that ask for your SAT score. Trust me on this one. :) Basically, if your SATs overpredicted your college performance, less weight will be given to your stellar LSATs - because those will probably not predict your performance well, either.</p>
<p>That's about it... best of luck.</p>