<p>Currently I am a junior at the University of Michigan majoring in sociology and economics. Throughout my whole life, I have always wanted to work in the legal field, being interested in corporate law and/or public policy.
I have done some research on the Law school process but noticed that its actually a lot more complicated than I thought...theres actually a lot of stuff into it. Can someone please describe the step by step process one needs to take in order to apply for law school? I know its a lot to ask, but if someone can help me, I'll give you a jolly rancher.</p>
<p>Also, these are my current stats</p>
<p>UGPA: 3.54
LSAT scores(havent taken it yet, but took 3 practice exams): 167, 165, 167
Softs: Unfortunately, none. Besides all the odd jobs that I had...not that they would even matter.</p>
<p>Given that these stats stay the same (maybe a +/- 0.2 towards GPA, a little improvement on the LSAT, and perhaps some additional experience) until I graduate from undergrad, what are my chances towards these schools?</p>
<p>Columbia
Michigan
Virginia
Georgetown
American
George Washington
Vanderbilt
Michigan State
Indiana
Chicago</p>
<p>Well, first of all, you need to do more than practice for the LSAT 3 times. There are more than 50 PTs available to you, so there’s no reason not to do as many as you can stand. That being said, a 165 cold is a ridiculous starting point. IF you don’t study for the LSAT at all, most likely:</p>
<p>Columbia Out
Michigan Out
Virginia Out
Georgetown Out
American In
George Washington In
Vanderbilt WL
Michigan State In
Indiana In
Chicago Out</p>
<p>That being said, there’s no reason why you can’t get into the 170s. With a 170 and above, you can put Michigan and Georgetown most likely in, and depending on where in the 170-180 range you are, UVA as well. With your GPA so far, Columbia and Chicago are most likely out, but you’ll have a better shot at Chicago because of the prestige of UMich.</p>
<p>Plenty of people make it into both with a GPA in the 3.54 range. It’s really just a question of LSAT score, but in no way is the rejection a foregone conclusion like it is at HYS.</p>
<p>Columbia’s 25th GPA is 3.51. In order to really be safe, the OP would want to be at least in the 75th percentile for LSAT, which is a 174. LSN confirms this: Of almost all 3.5 accepted, their LSAT was at least 174. I agree with you that it’s possible, but I was really only considering the OP scoring in the lower 170s as opposed to the higher ones.</p>
<p>thanks for your responses, I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>Yeah, I plan on studying more for the LSAT…and I hope to score in the 170s. I’m also going to try to bring my GPA up, as it seems like the bare minimum for all of the top 14. I dont expect to go to law school after a year or so of working after my undergrad, which would be like 2013. </p>
<p>But what I’m mostly curious about it the administrative/logistical aspects to applying to law school. Is there any particular process that I have to go through besides simply applying?</p>
<p>My d is going through the process now. Just a few things to keep in mind.
Things may take longer than you think. Don’t expect to bang out the application, personal & diversity statement and Why (name any school) in 2 to 3 weeks. It may take closer to a month or two to get your essays up to par- unless you are blessed with the ability to write really well.
also letters of recommendation may also take longer than expected. My kid’s last LOR took about 8 weeks until it got to LSAC. Professor said it was sent- but it was not received by LSAC-- so it had to be sent a second time. </p>
<p>You can start asking professors at anytime to submit a letter of recommendation- so if you are particularly close with someone this year, you may as well ask for the recommendation when you have the most contact with them. BUT- to do that you have to open an account with LSAC, so that LSAC/LSDAS (I don’t know which org.) can hold onto the LOR’s and send them to the law school. </p>
<p>I’m sure one of the applicants on board can fill you in on the details of an LSAC account-but as you are in your junior year, it doesn’t seem too early to start.</p>
<p>the top law school website gave alot of good info on Personal statements- my guess is they too may have detailed info on the application process too. </p>
<p>my gut tells me- the higher your LSAT score is, the less perfect your application packet can be. But if you are just a mere mortal and score under 170; essays- LOR’s etc. will be important. Also try to get your applications in early. If you can get everything in by November, you will be doing yourself a favor.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Also, for the record, even if the 25th percentile at CLS is a 3.51, that means 25% of the attending class had a 3.51 or below. Combine that with the 25th percentiles of the Chicago and NYU, and you have a pretty significant number of students who made the top 6 with lower than a 3.54. This number wouldn’t even include those who were admitted, but ultimately chose not to attend a CCN.</p>
<p>Moreover, these schools tend to be more generous to “LSAT splitters” (people with high LSATs, and low GPAs) than to “GPA splitters.” I have many classmates here at Columbia/NYU who are not URMs and got in with significantly less than a 3.5 (in fact, one got in with a 3.0).</p>