<p>I know you guys can't tell me much without an LSAT score, but given my timed practice tests, I think it should be pretty solid (ideally low 170s).</p>
<p>I messed up freshman year (2.8 first semester), so my cumulative GPA is only a 3.64. My degree GPA, after I transferred into the ILR school, is a 3.9; I think this shows up separately on my transcript. I've had straight As for the past 4 semesters, so it's apparent that I've gotten my **** together. </p>
<p>I'm wondering if I can compensate for my GPA with a higher LSAT score and if T14 law schools are a realistic goal (NYU or Colombia would be nice, but the idea of getting accepted there with my GPA seems slightly delusional unless I get an obscenely high score?). Also, do law schools actually care about upward trends or do they just look at raw numbers?</p>
<p>Yes, upward trends matter, especially if you write a special statement calling attention to it and explaining things. However, the amount this matters is debatable, and your cumulative GPA is far more important.</p>
<p>A 3.65 could get you into most T14 schools (excluding HYS/Boalt) assuming your LSAT was within their range. It's not terribly strong, but if you properly note that you just had a bad Freshman year, you could get into NYU/CLS. If you get an LSAT above 170 you have a shot, and if you make it past the 174 mark, you have a very good chance assuming you have decent softs/LORs.</p>
<p>Hmm..thanks a lot. Do you have any recommendation for how I go about explaining my freshman year? Honestly, I just didn't take college as seriously as I should have, and I was in a major in which I had no interest, but do you think being candid about that would potentially hinder my chances of being accepted?</p>
<p>Hi Spanks- I don't think I've seen you here for awhile. Are you graduating this week-end too?? We'll be heading up Friday for d's graduation.</p>
<p>Anyway- 3.64 LSAT 170 will work for many of the T 7-14. LSAT of 173 + will work for the upper half. But you really need your score to get a more accurate assesment.</p>
<p>Rather than whine about your old major and how you didn't do well- I think it may be more effective to talk about the positive affect ILR had and how this got you academically excited. Maybe a mention that your first major was not intellectual satisfying and your switch made you realize it even more so. So keep a positive tone instead of negative.</p>
<p>good luck to you!!</p>
<p>Hey Marny- I'm actually a junior, taking the LSAT in October because I didn't have enough time to fully prepare for June with all my school work. </p>
<p>Thanks for the advice/reassurance. I think your approach to explaining my freshman grades is probably better than what I suggested above, lol.</p>
<p>my d didn't want to take June test either. She also thought- not enough time to prepare. I know you guys are pretty busy until mid-May.</p>
<p>spanks- I was looking at the "Ivey Guide to Law school admissions" and she covers your predictament- in fact she labels it Grades Tip #2: Wrong major
(p.181- paperback version)<br>
apparently it's common especially for pre-med majors.
so you may want to pick up her book and get some ideas on how to handle addendums, essays etc. The Richard Montauk book- "how to get into top law schools" is supposed to be pretty good too.</p>
<p>Haha, I was actually premed, so that should be helpful. Thanks a lot Marny, I will be sure to get myself a copy of both.</p>