Should I even bother taking the LSAT and trying to apply with a 2.97 gpa?

Graduate School Law School
1

<p>Hey guys</p>

<p>I've been taking a lot of practice LSAT tests and have gotten a 176 on my last attempt. My lowest score so far out of 3 exams was a 160 something.. I'm thinking of taking the LSAT this June. </p>

<p>My GPA blows. I had a terrible first year of college where I got a lot of Cs and failed a course due to surgery and other medical issues. It sucked because after everything went back to normal, I was behind in knowing material and had to work harder and sometimes I didn't quite make it there.. </p>

<p>Anyway, I've been getting 3.5+ for the past 2 semesters (I'm Junior) and been on Dean's List. I bombed some of the first 100 level courses I took because of all the issues, but I've been doing VERY well on 300+ level courses which are considered to be VERY challenging. I was one of 2 students out of 30 who managed to finish a final project for my CS 300 level course (considered to be a hard class by many) which got me a letter of recommendation from a professor who is also a very important figure in industry.</p>

<p>I have 6 letters of recommendation from my professors, and they all love me. This summer I'm doing an independent study with a professor and taking 2 summer courses. When I graduate, I will have my major (information science), a minor (in computer science), and will have completed some of the most challenging courses offered at my school (and done well in them!). Hopefully, I can get up to a 3.2 before I graduate.</p>

<p>I am good at school, but as I said that first year really upset everything. I was sad and dejected afterwards, but I work hard and my professors from the last few semesters have noticed this and support me.</p>

<p>I'm studying information sciences, but I really want to just keep on learning some more lol. I am thinking of doing either a post bacc biomedical MS (studying chem/bio/physics in my free time!! I took AP chem in high school, honors physics/bio), doing MS in CS or IS, or going to law school if I get in. </p>

<p>I got a scholarship for my SAT scores (couldn't accept it due to it being only for US citizens lol >< I was international student at the time, but I do have it on record that I was eligible for it), and I'm part of a school club. </p>

<p>I also work at a law firm as a part time clerical assistant to help pay for my school books and living costs.</p>

2

<p>Go for it! You never know unless you try.
T14 will definitely be a long shot (unless you get a 180 and manage a small miracle), but other than that, just do REALLY well on your LSATs. </p>

<p>Law schools all allow for addendums to your application, so you can explain to them why your GPA freshman year was so low - be specific about the medical issues, as they will take it more seriously. If they deem it significant enough, they might overlook your first year’s GPA and put more weight on your GPA without it included.</p>

3

<p><a href=“http://www.lawschoolpredictor.com/wp-content/uploads/Law-School-Predictor-Full-Time-Programs.htm[/url]”>http://www.lawschoolpredictor.com/wp-content/uploads/Law-School-Predictor-Full-Time-Programs.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>As long as you have a good lsat score, you can flush your transcript later with easy courses that will boost ur gpa (they will only count ur last 2yrs</p>

5

<p>Wow that website is cool,</p>

<p>Is assume LSDAS Cumulative GPA is just my cumulative GPA? not really sure what the LSDAS part means</p>

6

<p>LSDAS = law school data assembly service</p>

<p>[LSAC</a> - JD: The Credential Assembly Service (CAS)](<a href=“http://www.lsac.org/jd/apply/cas.asp]LSAC”>http://www.lsac.org/jd/apply/cas.asp)</p>

7

<p>Don’t forget, your LSAT score represents between 65-80% of the admission decision. I have seen people with very mediocre GPAs and fabulous LSAT scores get into some very good schools.However, the reverse isn’t generally true. I would go for it knowing that you will need about 5 points more on your LSAT than the median LSAT listed for schools due to your lower GPA. Thus, if you can get close to a 170, you have a chance to get into some good schools such as Florida, Maryland etc. If you can get 175 or better, you might even have a chance for schools that are splitter friendly such as Northwestern et. al.</p>

8

<p>You mean they want last 2 yrs of my BS gpa?</p>

<p>Cuz if that’s the case my gpa is like 3.6.</p>

9

<p>Your LSDAS GPA is, with some exceptions, every college class you’ve taken at any institution before receiving your first bachelor’s degree. If you’ve attended only one undergraduate institution, did not take any college classes in high school, and your school’s GPA system corresponds to the LSDAS GPA system, your LSDAS GPA is your cumulative GPA.</p>

10

<p>You’re sort of in my boat.</p>

<p>I am close to done with a BS Computer Science and since I am not the most talented student, I never went to undergrad with the expectation that I would have a GPA that would enable me to go to a top 14 law school.</p>

<p>Fortunately, I like to be strategical and I ended up joining the Army National Guard as soon as I was eligible to do so and commissioned as an Infantry officer. It turns out this was a decision because it provided me with management/leadership experience, veteran’s preference, and a valuable security clearance.</p>

<p>I leveraged my strengths and set myself up for success. I gravitated towards the defense sector as this was more in-line with my skills and credentials. Fortunately, this sector is extremely lucrative, is very exclusive with high barriers for entry, and cannot be outsourced. The demand far outstrips the very limited supply of “cleared” professionals. I dictate my hours and I have an employer that is incredibly flexible with and supportive of my military obligation as well as my desire to complete a MS Computer Science.</p>

<p>The best part of all this is that I’ve paid almost nothing for education as it is illegal for a public university to charge a National Guard member tuition for any number of credits, degrees, etc. in New Jersey.</p>

<p>**I, too, would like to attend law school but it would only be a part-time program at a state university. I will never expect to use a JD as my primary means of defining a career path coming from outside of a top 14 law school. However, I view it as personal enrichment and an opportunity and way of training one to be able to think critically from another perspective. A solid legal foundation may be invaluable when you are in a management/leadership position. And if it’s nearly free, why the heck not?</p>

<p>The most important lesson to take away is to be as realistic as you can and to leverage your strengths as best as you can.
**</p>

11

<p>if your a URM the go for it. if not, you better get 170+ on the LSAT.</p>

12

<p>Go for it, but you may want to think long and hard about whether or not law school is actually for you. Given your other interests and accomplishments, getting an MS may be more rewarding (and likely more lucrative).</p>

13

<p>you can always transfer to a T14 law school after your first year if you want.</p>

<p>i say, GO FOR IT!</p>

14

<p>^If your grades are STELLAR that is. In most cases, people are better off just taking another year to study for the LSAT and then reapplying to a Top 14 if that’s what your heart is set on.</p>

15

<p>Your GPA is ugly. But if you get a 176, or anywhere in the 170’s, it can be overlooked by some high ranked schools. If you can break the 170 threshold, then i’d advice you work for a few years then apply ED to Northwestern Law School, which is a t-14 law school but it looks kindly upon splitters with work experience.</p>