<p>I just concluded my sophomore year at Columbia with a 3.3 as a political science-economics joint major with a concentration in American Studies. The first couple of years were quite rough, and my adjustment was not nearly as smooth as expected, coupled with the fact that Columbia is just a ridiculously tough school. I've had the dream of going to a T10-T14 law school all my life, and that hasn't wavered whatsoever. </p>
<p>I'm not asking for a straight "your GPA sucks" or a "you're screwed," what I am seeking is some advice from people (you) who know the law school application process better than I do. My plan for a while has been to work after graduation on a two-year contract to raise capital for law school, and then to enter law school after the contract concludes. What can I do in these next two years (other than step it up in terms of grades) to improve my chances at a top law school? I've started independently studying for the LSAT this summer and will take a class next year before giving the monster a real shot. Frankly, I just don't want a few tough times in my early stages of college to dictate what the rest of my life will look like. </p>
<p>I appreciate the advice. Hope to hear from you. </p>
<p>You have two years left. Pump that GPA up. Studying for the LSAT now is a waste. They’re only good for 3 years, and if you plan to work after undergrad (a smart move) then your LSAT will have expired. It’s also unnecessary to start so early since the test can be effectively learned in 3 months. Law school is all about GPA and LSAT. You have plenty of time to move that 3.3 up (and 3.3 isn’t nearly as bad a starting place as many who come here) and plenty of time to study for the LSAT. Don’t feel rushed because you aren’t.</p>
<p>Work for two years (or 18 months), and only then prep for the LSAT. Raise the GPA and several of the T14 are in play.</p>
<p>Grades+LSAT is nearly the only thing that matters for LS. EC’s matter for at the smaller schools (Y, S & Chicago), but given your GPA, two of them are pretty much out.</p>
<p>I had an undergrad GPA < 2.8, and later graduated (middle of my class) from an Ivy League law school. </p>
<ol>
<li>An unusual major helps. Something in the hard sciences, for example. They like a diverse, well-rounded class, and they tend to get inundated with applications from liberal arts majors.</li>
<li>Get some experience. Work experience, life experience. Be older. Start a family. Serve a term in the Peace Corps or the military. Let that GPA get a little stale. Demonstrate that there’s a lot more to you than your undergrad transcript can show.</li>
<li>Rock the LSAT. 172+ (99th percentile) will make up for an old low GPA at some of the top 10 schools, and at many many schools below that level.</li>
</ol>
<p>That’s if you’re absolutely insistent on going to law school, which I do not recommend. There is too much competition for too little work. I don’t think you’re likely to ever be able make the return on investment worthwhile, given the student loans, lost wages, and lost seniority/experience in the field you leave.</p>
<p>Of course, the same could be said for a hard science major; at least those college seniors have some options in private industry. Students who majored in Lit/hume have few job offers, so their opportunity cost is much lower.</p>