<p>I'm looking to get into UCLA and anywhere around the lower T14's, like Georgetown, BU, etc. Right now I'm a sophomore but I'm concerned about a few things.</p>
<p>First, like many others I started out my freshman year as a science major, screwed up badly and switched to political science. Since then I've been doing well and I've brought myself up to a mid 3.3. I'm guessing by the end of junior year I'll have at least a 3.4. Do I have any shot for this range of schools? What sort of LSAT score should I be hoping to get to make up for the GPA? Also, am I better off applying a year after graduation so that my senior grades can boost me a little?</p>
<p>My second concern is that political science is not a demanding major. Since I don't have a minor, I'm going to have a lot of open space for classes. Does it look bad to take 3 classes a quarter? Also, with what classes can I fill up my time?</p>
<p>My third concern is extracurriculars. I know they dont factor much into admissions but I only have a couple law internships and a staff position at the school's radio. Is this enough or should I be doing more?</p>
<p>One last thing: my dream school is NYU and after visiting it I believe I would be a perfect fit. I know this is a reach compared to the other schools I'm aiming at but what are my chances for NYU? Would you recommend early decision and sending my application off as soon as the admissions cycle begins?</p>
<p>These are a lot of questions but I figured I should finally ask someone about it all to get some stress off my back. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>--Any shot at T14: yes.
--LSAT: at least aim for the 75th percentiles of the schools. Probably higher.
--Senior year grades: yes, they will be worth 25%, which can be considerable.
--Lower-than-normal courseloads: probably a little bit -- ever so tiny bit slightly -- bad. If you slip into part time, that is really bad news.
--EC's: probably not what's holding you back right now.
--NYU: you are not yet dead in the water. ED is probably a good idea.</p>
<p>Don't really have an answer. Just wanted to say I'm in the same boat as you. I had many problems going on freshman year, mostly financial. Since then, I have maintained a 3.85, however my cumulative is only about 3.45. I'm looking at schools at the same range as you are. I would assume that we definitely need to compensate for our subpar GPA's with some great LSAT scores in the high 160's or above. Make sure to explain the reasons for your bad grades fully in an addendum. DO NOT waste your personal statement explaining it. That isn't the right place to do it.</p>
<p>1) You have a shot at T-14 if you get a 170+ LSAT.<br>
2) Poli Sci course load: maybe a little, but it won't matter too much. It's all about the LSAT and GPA.
3) Senior grades do matter. If you can bring your GPA up, maybe apply after you graduate.
4) ECs: You're fine. You should be focused on getting the LSAT in the 170s.
5) Chance at NYU, with the LSAT of 174+ if your GPA is a 3.4. (Your GPA is below their 25th so you need the LSAT higher than their 75th, which is 173.)</p>
<p>And what bluedevilmike said was right on the money: apply ED with NYU.</p>
<p>A 3.4 GPA is below every T-14's 25th percentile except Northwestern where it is their 25th. Northwestern is an exception because it likes and requires work experience for first year entry. Like bluedevilmike said earlier, you will probably need an LSAT higher than their 75th percentile for entry at a T-14. I'd say a good target LSAT range for you to be competitive is 174+.</p>
<p>Full agreement except that I think BerkSen's point #1 might be *slightly *pessimistic: I think a 168 or 169 might, just barely, give you a serious shot at UCLA and maybe Cornell.</p>
<p>Yeah I kind of left out UCLA in that discussion hehe.</p>
<p>Anyway UCLA gives preference for in-state, so you'd have an easier time applying as a California resident. </p>
<p>This year UCLA has upped the ante with the LSAT. But a common threshold "barrier" LSAT for reject/accept is 167. (If you look on lawschoolnumbers.com, you will see what I mean.) So bluedevilmike is accurate in saying you have a chance with 168+ </p>
<p>In my opinion a 3.4/168 is a WL; keep in mind that UCLA's waitlist is huge and only 10% get off the waitlist.</p>
<p>As for Cornell, it is indeed the "easiest" T-14 to get into. And by "easy" its interquartiles are 166-168. I'd say you may have a slight shot with a 169; although with a 3.4, I wouldn't be optimistic.</p>
<p>Hmm, a higher major GPA might help a wee, wee bit, but since law schools report the LSAC GPA (which is cumulative) for rankings purposes, cumulative is the most important.</p>
<p>Edit: Law schools are rankings obsessed, and hence numbers obsessed. There's an article I read about law schools sending out letters to their students after their rankings dropped, assuring them that they would up the ante with admissions to get their LSAT raised, etc. It was quite entertaining to read.</p>
<p>After speaking to some admissions reps, it seems like major GPA isn't too important compared to overall GPA. However, a strong upward trend is looked upon very highly. I'm not sure the extent to which such a trend can cover for a subpar GPA but it is good to know that law schools look so favorably on this.</p>
<p>What if your major GPA is lower than your cumulative GPA? I think my cumulative is 3.8+, but major around 3.6+? Not too sure because this semester hasn't been factored in yet, but will this be a disadvantage? Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Yeah, the top schools tend to average scores.</p>
<p>The LSAC did mention a new policy recently about schools using the highest score, but in reality most schools tend to average your LSATs. </p>
<p>Also, you are only allowed to take it 3 times in 2 years. </p>
<p>Once is best. If you take it and don't feel good about it, cancel and then take it again. It looks better than taking it, failing it, then taking it again.</p>
<p>Retakes are for catastrophes; if you're planning on the possibility of a retake, you're doing something wrong. You should be practicing heavily leading into the LSAT and have a very good feel for your expected range. If that's not high enough, then don't even sit for the exam -- cancel it. If you sit for the exam and something goes catastrophically wrong (e.g. sudden illness), then cancel your score. If you sit and nothing goes wrong but somehow you made an egregious, dramatic error (e.g. misbubbling), THEN you should retake.</p>
<p>Also, since people tend to do better on the practice exams, you should be practicing at ~5 points higher than your target range. Most people perform about 5 points worse on test day due to anxiety.</p>
<p>One more question. Will it look bad if I take a bunch of easy science classes (environment, nutrition, etc.) to help out my GPA? I might get back on the map if I take easier classes outside of my major.</p>
<p>As long as they aren't dominating your transcript it won't look bad. For example you can take 2 major classes and 2 non-major classes at the same time.</p>
<p>Because everyone majors in something different (I probably would have gotten a near 4.0 if I majored in something else) law schools have a hard time controlling for major. This is why it's purely a numbers game and why the LSAT matters so much.</p>
<p>It’s been a year since I posted this topic and I would like to update you all on my current concerns.</p>
<p>As junior year draws to a close, I have a high likelihood of reaching 3.5 overall after this quarter. This is higher than I originally anticipated for junior year in my first post. If I keep this up I may have a mid 3.5 by the end of senior year (and I will apply to law schools after graduation).</p>
<p>My current concerns are as follows:</p>
<p>1) How much more does a 3.5-3.55 help me compared to my original prediction of 3.4? Are my chances looking a whole lot brighter now, or am I in pretty much the same boat (of needing a ~170+ to make up for the GPA)</p>
<p>2) Is it a bad idea to take the LSAT the September following graduation? In chance that I cancel my score for whatever reason, I can take it in December and still apply right?</p>
<p>A 3.5 helps a little. It’s still below the median at most places you mentioned wanting to apply. Maybe your LSAT score can be a point or two lower than otherwise…but it’s really impossible to predict. </p>
<p>You could take the LSAT as described, but it might be better to take it the June after graduation and if you need to retake, doing it the following Sept. Getting your application in and complete as early as possible will only help you. Having your score back by July will allow you to formulate a list of schools and start dealing with personal statements and recommendations over the summer, so you can apply in October.</p>