Do I have a shot at any top law schools? Please help!

Graduate School Law School
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<p>Hello everyone, I was hoping to get your opinions on how my specific undergrad experience will affect my acceptance into more competitive law schools. Ideally I would like to be in NY or in California, for more specifics on which top schools I'm considering applying to. Currently, I am entering my final year at Cornell, but my experience there has not been great, and I'm hoping it won't prevent me from getting into a the best possible law school. </p>

<p>I began at Cornell in the college of engineering, and made my way through my freshman year with mediocre grades. Sophomore year I decided I didn't want to stay in engineering and starting taking science classes in the college of arts and sciences with the thought that I'd transfer into that school. Unfortunately, taking so many classes outside of engineering would put me behind in my graduation requirements for a degree in engineering, so they gave me a semester leave of absence. I spent the semester off taking classes at another school in the area in things that I enjoyed and decided that my intended minor in history of art should be my major. (I got all A's in the outside Cornell classes, if that's relevant at all.). I took a class over the summer and then did extremely well during that year, ending up with a 3.9 and a 4.0 for those semesters. I also have been accepted into the honors program to write a thesis in art history and visual studies next year. I will also graduate on time despite having a semester off from cornell. I want to apply for law schools this year. and I know that I want to be a lawyer at some point, so I could apply a year after I graduate if that would help my chances or if I'm disappointed with my school choices. At this point, my gpa is only a little over a 3.2. (of course, next year I will moat likely end up with all A's again, raising that by the middle of the year and again by the time I graduate).</p>

<p>I haven't taken the lsats yet, but my practice tests are very promising. My extra curriculars are very good, particularly with volunteering and outreach through art and mentoring. I have also had a prestegious internship in museum studies and was awarded a research grant. Additionally, I have had some writing published in catalogs and am a world champion athlete in a unique sport.</p>

<p>My question is, how much will my low gap and semester on leave impact me? Will my improvements over the last year mean anything? What kind of schools can I hope for with a very high LSAT score and that gpa? I'd really appreciate any insight or advice, as this is a very unusual circumstance, and I don't know if it's impossible for me to attend a law school that will be worth my investment. </p>

<p>Thanks for reading and giving me your thoughts!</p>

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<p>If your GPA is in the 3.2-3.3 range, your best bet is Northwestern with 175+ and some WE. If your GPA is in the 3.4-3.5 range, that would open more doors.</p>

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<p>Thanks, ivyPbear! I have decided to take summer courses at another school online while working. That will give me a law school gpa of a 3.42 by the fall. Upon graduating, I should have around a 3.57, so that will be higher if I end up needing to reapply the next year. I really hope that will help my chances!</p>

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<p>Take the LSAT, you will know nothing till you do. The average student makes a 150 no matter what you read on the nets.</p>

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<p>yup need to take LSAT, but i didnt know you can just not graduate and keep taking courses to raise your GPA? could you technically just stay in school until you get like a 3.8?</p>

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<p>For Northwestern, having 2-3 years of work experience and 170-172 on LSAT, on top of applying ED would result in almost an automatic admission with a GPA of anything over 3.0, or perhaps, even somewhat below that mark. It doesn’t need to be around 175. </p>

<p>OP: Another option is University of Virginia. Get 170+ on LSAT and apply ED, and you stand a healthy chance of being admitted. Bottom line is that you won’t know your chances until you get actual LSAT scores, and LSAT is the most important factor in deterimining your admission.</p>

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<p>Leave of absence shouldn’t matter. Having a low GPA hurts, yet can be offset by strong LSAT for select top law schools. (You won’t likely to get into Top 6 law schools despite very high LSAT due to low GPA)</p>