<p>UG: Harvard
GP: 3.7
Major: Computer Science
LSAT: 175
EC's: Good enough</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Your GPA is below the 25% and your LSAT is on the higher end. I don't know how much coming out of Harvard would help. You have a chance to get in, but the GPA might hurt somewhat.</p>
<p>I said he had a real good shot. Eclair, did you get my PM, by any chance?</p>
<p>Consider that this GPA comes from a hard sciences major rather than something easier like Economics or Government.</p>
<p>lsat trumps gpa and he has it</p>
<p>While I don't think you should fool yourself into thinking that admissions will necessarily look more favorably upon your GPA just because you majored in Computer Science, I think your numbers are good enough for HLS. I give you a slightly better than 50-50 shot.</p>
<p>Wait ... computer science is a hard science major? Since when was computer science hard?</p>
<p>Since when was Computer Science hard? I don't know how they do it at other schools, but at Harvard it's very serious, fast paced, difficult, and theoretical. Most of the classes don't even have to do with programming. Consider it a mathematics/engineering hybrid. Anyway this is an uncommon concentration among law school matriculants, and one could truthfully and objectively say that computer science is certainly more difficult, mathematically theoretical, and time consuming than say Government or Russian Literature. And let me say a word about grades at Harvard. It is impossible to get a 4.0. Only 3 people have done it this decade. I would say a 3.8 puts you in the top 10% of the general class, but a 3.75 concentration gpa is enough to get summa cum laude in applied mathematics. Most of my B grades were from freshman year in stupid classes like writing; since then my gpa has been around 3.85.</p>
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Most of my B grades were from freshman year in stupid classes like writing; since then my gpa has been around 3.85.
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<p>You do realize that you are looking to go into a program/program which there is an importance placed on writing.</p>
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Most of my B grades were from freshman year in stupid classes like writing
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<p>Because writing and expression are "stupid" and irrelevant in the practice of law...</p>
<p>Government is now an "easy" major at Harvard? Boy, things have changed a lot. Did Mansfield retire?</p>
<p>i hope you get in. you would literally take a dump on the chests of all these ridiculous english majors on this board who have a superiority complex because they think their major qualifies them as good writers. if i had it my way, everyone would major in a hard science and learn how to really think. good luck.</p>
<p>". you would literally take a dump on the chests"</p>
<p>First of all, what a distasteful expression ... second, how in the world would you know this? </p>
<p>"of all these ridiculous english majors on this board who have a superiority complex because they think their major qualifies them as good writers."</p>
<p>Who here has said anything about English majors? Philosophy is, arguably, a much better major--and it combines analytical/scientific thinking and writing. </p>
<p>"if i had it my way, everyone would major in a hard science and learn how to really think."</p>
<p>Why would "your way" matter at all? Or are you saying that out of naivete and/or to feel good? </p>
<p>From what you are writing, I'll presume you are either in high school or a science major in college. But from your first expression I gather that for you to "really think" does not involve tact and, much less, class.</p>
<p>To the OP: If you don't like writing (or reading), do not go to law school. I repeat, if you don't like writing, do NOT go to law school. </p>
<p>And out of curiosity, what in the world are "Good enough EC's"?</p>
<p>Also, what a misuse of the word literally, which means "not as a metaphor."</p>
<p>Let me address these ridiculous assertions one by one.
It is standard that quotation marks are used to quote something that was actually said. I never said the word "easy." I said Government was easier than computer science. This is indisputable fact unless you're a mathematical genius who sucks at verbal skills. Everyone who does a quantitative major knows what I'm talking about. Why are Government GPA's higher; is it because they're smarter? We all know the answer. And if you want to drop the name Mansfield, consider that the grade he thinks you deserve is NOT the grade reported to the registrar. Anyone who knew the first thing about Mansfield and his war against grade inflation would be familiar with this basic fact.</p>
<p>
Oh really? I didn't know that!! I guess a B+ in a poorly taught expository writing class trumps 175 LSAT score in terms of my writing preparation. By the way, what's a "program/program"?</p>
<p> [quote=kwu] Because writing and expression are "stupid" and irrelevant in the practice of law...
I hope you don't want to be a lawyer because not being able to distinguish between "stupid" class and "stupid" subject is a fundamental flaw. Actually, no I hope you become a lawyer so I can defeat you in court easily. </p>
<p>
See my response to kwu.</p>
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Exactly what they sound like. Consider them to be up to par.</p>
<p>Normally I'm not a jerk, but the idiocy of these responses has brought out the worst in me.</p>
<p>"This is indisputable fact unless you're a mathematical genius who sucks at verbal skills." </p>
<p>Nothing is indisputable. Relax. But if you really believe that you won't make a very good lawyer, frankly.</p>
<p>"Everyone who does a quantitative major knows what I'm talking about. Why are Government GPA's higher; is it because they're smarter?"</p>
<p>You see, this is the refutation of your claim above: smart people would self-select. That is, they (if they are truly smart) would gravitate towards the field where they would do/perform best. Whether it is a native Spanish speaker concentrating in Spanish or a native Chinese speaker going through the motions in intro to Mandarin and similar courses, these people are the "truly smart ones" when it comes to law school admissions. They'll have the higher GPA; they probably have done their research and know that in this system "the numbers" are the most important aspect of the law school application. So, you see: "We all [DON'T] know the answer." And you certainly don't have them. It is not hard to see that someone attracted to law school would also be attracted (at least in some degree) to a concentration like Government; and if they are good at it, why do something else if their aim is to eventually make it to law school. It is interesting on the other hand, to see a kid who majors in something quantitative because he's really good in writing (to then have to whine about how hard his major is). It would actually be a sign of stupidity and lack of foresight.</p>
<p>You see, it is certainly inspiring that some intelligent people (you probably fall into this group) think that their "effort" and "brave choice" of a "hard concentration" ought to be rewarded. In an ideal world, this would be the case. But if you've done your research, you should know it is actually not the case--unless you happen to have competitive "numbers". </p>
<p>"See my response to kwu."</p>
<p>Why? I was not building off anything Kwu said. I was just sharing a word of caution with the best intentions. But of course, you have certainly considered every possible aspect of not only the law school application but also a law school education and even a post-law school career. We all know that. We all know that from the fact that you come to an online forum to ask for "your chances" to get into HLS to a group of strangers. </p>
<p>But then, what we all do not know is what kind of response you were expecting. It's hard to discern that when all you do is insult and belittle people after they express their opinion (which you asked for). </p>
<p>"Exactly what they sound like. Consider them to be up to par."</p>
<p>Up to par, according to who? You? What confuses me (amuses me more than confuses me) is that you seem to be asking for opinions yet fail to recognize that your opinion is not a fact. We have no reason to believe they are up to par. But, as you probably know, ECs don't matter much (if at all in very few cases). But then why would you post that if you knew? To show how in 'the loop' of things you are? Amusing, either way. Unless ... unless you actually did not know that, which is why you posted that, and yet don't fail to show how callous, arrogant and immature you are.</p>
<p>"Normally I'm not a jerk, but the idiocy of these responses has brought out the worst in me."</p>
<p>You should be concerned. The advice you received here was not necessarily bad, much less idiotic ... yet it brought the "worst in you". You are bound to find much more idiocy through your career: will people have to deal with the "worst in you" on a regular basis? </p>
<p>Moreover, get off your high-horse and stop being so arrogant/condescending. If you don't want to have to deal with the "idiocy of these responses" simply walk over to the HLS campus and talk to Mr. Lee for a few minutes. I am sure he'll be delighted to see such a bright young person--just don't bring the "worse in [you]" this time around, or let it out if he doesn't tell you what you like or what you expect given your infinite wisdom. </p>
<p>What you want to hear: You have a competitive profile (as long as your GPA is cumulative and not your concentration's only). Happy?</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>also, to get into HLS, you need:</p>
<p>a) recommenders to say nice things about you (not just about your academic performance; about YOU as a person)</p>
<p>b) to make it through a short phone call with the dean of admissions. the goal of this is to see "how you interact with a human being." Toby’s</a> blog Process Update</p>
<p>and once you do make it to law school, you still need people to like you (because professors recommend you for clerkships, and interviews, not grades, determine whether you get a job anywhere). so you might want to start practicing politeness, now that you've gotten the LSAT out of the way.</p>
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I guess a B+ in a poorly taught expository writing class trumps 175 LSAT score in terms of my writing preparation.
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<p>The quality of instruction is irrelevant. What matters is that you were mediocre relative to your peers. Don't blame your instructors for your own shortcomings.</p>
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Actually, no I hope you become a lawyer so I can defeat you in court easily.
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<p>Keep dreaming, kiddo.</p>
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Normally I'm not a jerk, but the idiocy of these responses has brought out the worst in me.
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<p>I'm under the impression that normally, you are a jerk. You sound kind of nasty.</p>
<p>What a really arrogant, disrespectful prick. I guess your CS classes never taught you how to interact with people. What a surprise. Its obvious that you're really pleased with yourself. Well consider the fact that there alot of people who have your numbers who also know how to come accross as vaguely likeable. Those are the people who are going to win in court. And have girlfriends.</p>
<p>Well, now I hope I end up eating my words regarding the OP's chances of getting into HLS. I'd hate to have him as a classmate.</p>