What Schools Could I Realistically Get Into?

Graduate School Law School
1

I’m currently a sophomore at Rutgers University and I’m most likely graduating a year early, so instead of Class of 2020, I’m Class of 2019. My GPA at the time of applying (next year) will most likely be a 3.35 and my LSAT will be a 162. My major is Economics with a minor in Entrepreneurship, and I am on the executive board of a major volunteering club at my university, and a member of student government. Out of the following schools, what are my chances: Duke, Notre Dame, Boston University, Boston College, UC-Irvine, UC-Davis, and UNC-Chapel Hill.

Also, just some general questions because I’m not really sure how these things work for grad school?

  1. Would becoming an independent student (working for a year instead of applying next fall and no longer being supported by my parents) increase my chances?
  2. Does applying earlier in the admissions cycle really increase your chances that much?
  3. How do scholarships at law schools work? Is it just based on your LSAT, or is it based off of GPA also? Does every student get a different scholarship? And are the schools above known for giving good scholarships?
  4. Will graduating a year early from undergrad make me look better to law schools I’m applying to? Or would it hurt me because I’m younger than the rest of the people applying?

Thanks!

2
  1. No
  2. It depends. A higher LSAT score from the October test is worth the wait.
  3. Both. Generally, the most money to those above the schools medians (GPA and LSAT). Other than HYS, all law schools provide merit aid. It just depends on how bad they want your numbers (to make themselves look better.) My son just gradated from a lower T14 with a near full tuition deal. But then he also had a LSAT score above the school's 75th percentile.
  4. No.

Two things: LS admission is almost solely about LSAT+GPA. Thus, no chance at Duke, and very low chance at the others that you have listed.

The higher your numbers the better. You have a great shot at any law school if your numbers are above both medians. I looked up several of the schools on your list at at best you would be in the bottom quartile.

If you can wait to apply until after graduation, and earn A’s senior year, you GPA would be higher. Plus, by taking a gap year, you have more time to study for the LSAT.

Advice to think about: those schools are fine regional schools, but do you want to settle and practice in those locales? (A degree from Davis or Irvine would not travel to say, Chicago.) Can you afford them? Regional schools are great, but only if cheap as the job opportunities are not very good, at least if you incur a lot of debt.

Good luck.