<p>Today I went to talk with my pre-law advisor and she told me my chance of getting into Columbia law School is very slim...I transferred from a crappy school (University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point) to UW-Madison. She told me that the crappy school brand would bar me from any elite law school even though I might end up with a GPA of 3.88 in math&statistics double honor major in UW-Madison. Even a LSAT over 170 will still not help me out...She suggested me looking for Depaul Law School for reality.
Her words really hurt me. Crap, should I continue to work on LSAT or switch to GMAT to go to the MFE in Berkeley after graduation? Is it true that elite law school admitted students are just excellent without any flaws just as she said?</p>
<p>PS: I am an international student. Because of some financial problems I had to go to UWSP even though I had been accepted by University of Toronto in Canada. After two years, my family's financial situation got better and I transferred to the more expensive but better-known UW-Madison with a GPA of 3.86 in UWSP.</p>
<p>That's silly. The game is largely numbers-based. Your total cumulative GPA and your LSAT are what really matter. Get a sense for how those shape up before deciding where you are or aren't eligible.</p>
<p>I have some difficulty understanding your post. However, if you have a 3.86 cum at Steven's Pt. and also have a 3.8 at Madison--including ALL of your courses, not just those in your major--there is no reason not to apply to a top law school. However, before making the decision whether to do so, you need to know your actual LSAT.</p>
<p>How in the world did your pre-law advisor get her job? She has no idea what she's talking about. Assuming you maintain a 3.8+ GPA, then Columbia should be well within your reach if you can score a 170+.</p>
<p>I am sorry for my broken English which makes it difficult for jonri to understand what I said...Yes, I am talking about Cumulative GPA, not GPA in major. Actually, my cumulative GPA is even higher than my GPA in major. You know, maths & statistics are not easy majors and I am even doing the honor program.</p>
<p>bluedevilmike, thanks for your reply. I am planning to study for LSAT in December and take the test in June 2009. I suppose the time should be enough. I did some sample LSAT questions online and I like doing them! It is like playing logic games. I know it does not mean that I can do well on the LSAT test, but at least I will be willing to spend 2 hours everyday studying for LSAT.</p>
<p>As an aside (and probably not too relevant, given the passage of time) 35+ years ago when I attended Berkeley Law I got to know the admissions people and they told me that they liked applicants with unconventional "pre-law" majors - and specifically mentioned math as an attractive UG major for an applicant. It may be that attitudes have changed, or Columbia feels differently... or not.</p>
<p>Pre-law advisors are generally not very useful. At best, they can give you information that is readily available elsewhere. At worst, as here, they'll tell you something that is simply wrong.</p>
<p>First of all, your pre-law advisor didn't screw you. He or she merely gave you advice, which you may or may not choose to take. </p>
<p>If you don't think that his or her advice is sound (and from your reported GPA, it may not be), then by all means apply to any law school that you wish to attend. Admissions to Columbia Law School, like other highly competitive law schools, is tough, and law school admissions is not need blind. I would suggest that you take the LSAT and then reevaluate the set of law schools you wish to attend based upon your combination of GPA and LSAT score.</p>
<p>I think the advisor is completely wrong that having gone to Stevens Point ruins your chances. Any problem with the "crappy" school brand is canceled out by your successful transfer to Madison.</p>
<p>But seriously, do not listen to her. A 3.88 (in math no less!) is very impresive. Columbia should be doable with a 170/171. 168+ and you have a good shot at the T14. Good luck.</p>