I just had a few questions regarding admission to top law schools in the country.
I am currently a pre-law major at a prestigious liberal arts school in the Northeast. I have a cumulative GPA of 3.35 and a major GPA of 3.87 (in legal studies). The main reason for the unfortunate gap was a health issue in my Freshman/Sophomore year that made me struggle in classes unrelated to my major but required by the college.
I also took the LSAT after months of studying and received a 175. I decided to stick with this score and not take it again, as believe it is relatively good.
I have applied to the following schools:
Harvard University
University of Chicago
Columbia University
University of Pennsylvania
University of Michigan
Northwestern University
University of Texas – Austin
Georgetown University
Boston College
I understand that my cumulative GPA is relatively low, but I hope that my sharp upward slope shows my true academic nature.
I also had very decent recommendations and a personal statement.
I was just wonder my chances at each law school.
Thank you for your time.
Pre-law is not a major, it is an intention. You can virtually major in anything for law school (although there are majors that are frown upon for law school. ( “pre-law” major would be one).
The 3.35 gpa is going to hurt you for Harvard and Columbia, Chicago and Penn. unless you are majoring inLaw, Jurisprudence and Social Thought at Amherst, a Legal Studies major is not going to carry a lot of weight (it is actually a frowned upon major at law schools).
Unfortunately you are a splitter. If you are going to be a splitter luckily you are a high last low gpa splitter. Splitters can be hard to predict. Northwestern would be good with at least a year of work experience. Georgetown has a big class so they will be happy with the 175 and can absorb the low gpa. You will get some bites at the 175 with perhaps some money at Boston.
The pre-law advisor at the career services office at your school will be able to tell you students with your LSAT/GPA combination were accepted. They will also tell you the median grade/lsat combination for students from your school who were accepted to law schools on your list.
“upward slope” is meaningless. (sorry) It’s the cumulative that matters, since that is what is used in law school rankings.
you can write an addendum about health issues, but I would not say its bcos of the non-major classes. (Nearly all colleges have Gen Ed requirements for a reason.)
Of those on your list, Chicago is the most GPA-focused, so least likely. BC is a fine LS in Boston, but not known to be generous with merit money. If interested in Boston, also consider its peer: BU.
My suggestion: graduate first, so you can earn as many A’s as you can to bump that GPA. Get a job – any job. Apply early in the fall. Schools like Penn & GULC are more likely to bite on someone with your stats in October than they are in February. (That being said, still very low odds.)
I think the other commenters here are being a bit harsh. 175 is an amazing LSAT score, and there are going to be good schools that are going to want you.
Since you’ve already applied, it sounds like you’re just looking for reassurance as opposed to actual advice. But I would just say that if you don’t land the schools (at the price) you’re looking for, you can always decide to work for a while and re-apply later. This could give you some more separation from your low grades and help to make you a more interesting applicant. It can also be an opportunity to take a break from school and to save up a little money.
Those schools aren’t known for being very forgiving about GPA. That’s a killer LSAT score, though! I think you might have a decent shot at a couple of them, but you may want a few safety schools just in case. There’s still a good chance they could all reject you.
Definitely take a year or two off after college and work. That will help your application.
Many years ago, a friend of mine was in a somewhat similar situation (175) with a 3.6 and 3 yrs work experience. Denied at H and others, waitlisted at two T14 schools and fortunately got off one of those waitlists over the summer after planning to attend a slightly lower-ranked school. The admissions landscape may be different (easier) now than it was in those years, but it’s clear GPA played a negative role. Work experience helped. Another friend had same LSAT but much higher GPA and better work experience - he got in everywhere he applied.
Your LSAT score is top 1 percent. You should receive admissions offers at great law schools but possibly not a top ten school. BC would seem incredibly likely and a very good shot at Texas. You may want to include some other schools in the mix going deeper into the top 20.
Yes you are a splitter but your LSAT score is exceptional. You will have plenty of excellent options if you apply strategically.
Good luck!