<p>So, I used this site for undergrad admissions, and was it quite useful. Now I'm considering applying to law school. Here goes...</p>
<p>I'm a junior at Harvard College who wants to get into a top-tier law school. My overall grades are average (3.4 GPA) though my junior year was 3.85 GPA. Hopefully senior year will be just as good. As for recommendations, I'm pretty academic and can probably get some very good recommendations. Activity-wise, I write for my student newspaper and debate. I've interned all over: businesses, publications, and a law firm this summer. </p>
<p>So here's the question: should I apply this year, or take a year off, do some pro-bono work, and then apply then? Basically, this is a question about chances. Is there a chance in hell I can get into a top law school with the grades I have?</p>
<p>Apologies in advance for this question (so self-indulgent!) but I am genuinely needing some help, and I don't meet my pre-law advisers till next fall.</p>
<p>A year off won't really improve the odds of getting into a top law school all that much. If your senior year grades are fantastic, than it will help a bit. </p>
<p>A couple of years ago, the moderator for this forum had a D who had a 3.2 at Harvard and got a 180 LSAT. She got into Harvard Law, but accepted a free ride to UMichigan. </p>
<p>I don't really understand why you need advice right now as opposed to this fall. Harvard gives out great grids. Ask to see them and you'll find out where students with your GPA and various LSAT scores applied and were accepted. (You might want to PM Hanna who used to have some old ones.)</p>
<p>This is what you do, as a practical matter. You take the LSAT next June. Then you will know your LSAT score at the beginning of senior year. With that and the Harvard grids, you'll have a much better idea of what to do. You apply to a couple of reach schools--which being determined by your score. You also apply for other things, including pro bono if that's of interest. If you apply early in the cycle--and you really, really should to optimize your chances--you'll know by February whether you've gotten into any top schools. (You may not hear from all of t hem by February but you will have heard from some.) If you end up being waitlisted at several, you can take that year to improve your chances (especially by being able to submit those senior year grades), retaking the LSAT if needed. </p>
<p>Taking ONE year off wlll not boost your odds of admission all that much. After all, you'll be applying about 4-5 months after you graduate, so you won't have done all that much. If you want post-grad pro bono stuff to boost your odds, consider something like Teach for America or Peace Corps, which require two year commitments. </p>
<p>Jonri- I think OP is going into Senior year at Harvard as s/he stated junior year GPA was 3.85.
If that is the case, why don't you use your summer months to study for the LSAT and take it in September?? (think it is scheduled for late Sept not October this year) Your LSAT score is going to give you the most information as to whether you will get in to a top Law school.
There is going to be a world of difference in the schools you apply to depending on whether you score a 163 or a 173. Even if you are a Harvard Grad with a 3.8, it seems T-14 law schools do not like to dip below 167/168 (top 5 %) on LSAT's. Ivy League grad of not.<br>
I'm going to agree with Jonri- one year off may not help that much. But if your LSAT's and GPA are within the 50 % range of the school, it may give you a bit of a nudge.
My d may be in that situation. She is starting her senior year. Her grades and LSAT's put her at the "cusp" of a T-14 acceptance. I am confident that she will get into several top 25 schools with a good shot at 1 or 2 T-14's.</p>
<p>The thought of going directly to law school is losing a bit of appeal to her- so she may look into other options for a year. But even with a "gap year", she will have to start the application process within 4 to 5 months of graduation. (October 2008) So I do not think anyone can gain that great of experience to write about on the Law School Application.
Bottom line-- Take the LSAT and then decide what to do. Your LSAT score is going to be the deciding factor.</p>
<p>OOPS! Thanks Marny! I read his opening that he was a junior at Harvard College. I assumed that meant he was going into his junior year, as the school year is over. But rereading the post, you're right!</p>
<p>Guys, this was all phenomenally useful, and I will probably study for my LSAT this summer. Will also def. see the Harvard grids in the fall.</p>
<p>Here's a follow-up question. Say, I have a two-year scholarship to go to an excellent European university to study pursue an MPhil in History ( a research degree above an M.A.) where I will probably do some scholarship on legal history in a foreign country. Should I take the two-year course and then apply to law school? </p>
<p>I wouldn't mind doing the two year course. It'd give me the chance to live in a foreign country and it's all paid for in any case. Would it help getting into law school. And if not, should I just become a mercenary at some investment-bank/ consulting firm for a year, and then apply again should I not get in to a good law school on my first try?</p>
<p>You only live once. A 2 year Scholarship to study in Europe. Looks good to me. Sure it might help you get into a top law school. But nothing is going to help you with a low LSAT score. So it might be worth your while to concentrate on the LSAT's. Even if you take it in Sept., the score is good for a couple of years ( 4 to 5 years??)<br>
In fact my d too is eyeing a post graduate internship/studies in Europe. She got the travel bug with her study abroad program last semester.</p>
<p>My gut feeling is that regardless of your Harvard background and studies. you will still need a score in the mid 160's range- but then again you gotta check out those Harvard grids for a better idea.</p>