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Critique my App Strategy - 2017/2018 Cycle, 3.3 GPA 161 LSAT M.A. URM

Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2017 2:20 pm
by mdelacruz
Where should I be looking at applying if I'm interested in clerkships + BigFed with my numbers?

Current plan is to apply now to lower ranked schools, then retake im Feb and hopefully apply with a better score. Obviously its gonna be late in the cycle, but I figure its better to apply later with a higher score than to apply earlier and face near certain rejection with my current score.

As much as I would love to think that I can eek my way in at a lower t14, general TLS wisdom seems to be that that would be higly unlikely if not altogether impossible. Not looking to just throw away money on apps.

Goal is clerkships then BigFed. Targeting D.C. market.

Current stats:

161 LSAT
3.3 GPA
3 years WE
Mexican URM

Looking to apply now to:

UNC (in state)
Wake (in state)
GW
Maryland (places well in D.C. mkt)
Fordham
Syracuse
Loyola
St. Johns

Seem reasonable? Any other schools I should be looking to apply now to?

Re: Critique my App Strategy - 2017/2018 Cycle, 3.3 GPA 161 LSAT M.A. URM

Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2017 3:12 pm
by TripleM
I'm not a member of the retake choir, but based on personal experience I think you should at least consider it. I had a 3.3 and a 164 and got into several T14 and was waitlisted at 9 of them. The T14 all came with generous tuition discounts (about 75%). That's with applications that I sent late in the cycle. I also received fee waivers from a vast majority of the T14 due solely to my score.
Not everybody should retake, but in your case a slight improvement might mean significantly more options and savings.
Whether you retake or not, I'd encourage you to apply broadly, even if that means putting a few of the fees on a credit card (of course pay those down aggressively). You also might be surprised at where you get accepted. It's also a matter of a short term investment that can pay off huge dividends in terms of financial aid. You'll need to be accepted to a few peer schools in order to negotiate financial aid. I had schools that upped their offers by more than $15,000 when presented with peer offers. That's a net benefit of $45,000. Would you pay $500 today for a strong shot at $45,000 return?
In short, don't sell yourself short. You may already be a more attractive candidate than you realize. Perform better by a single question and you'll almost certainly be in contention for T14 with some money.
I'm not a member of the retake choir but I am a broken record when it comes to this; you are almost certainly a better candidate than you believe. Aim high. Sure, some T14 may reject you but do not do the job for them.

Re: Critique my App Strategy - 2017/2018 Cycle, 3.3 GPA 161 LSAT M.A. URM

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 5:37 am
by Dreambig15
I'm sure you already know this, but the PS and DS could really help your overall app. I personally think with your 161 you're sitting in a realistic view of the T14. Don't forget you get an MA URM boost. I think you should cast the net mijo

Re: Critique my App Strategy - 2017/2018 Cycle, 3.3 GPA 161 LSAT M.A. URM

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 3:39 pm
by Drea
general TLS wisdom seems to be that that would be higly unlikely if not altogether impossible.
Sure, some T14 may reject you but do not do the job for them.
Just want to echo TripleM's point. This forum is incredibly helpful, but don't let it stop you from applying to schools you want to go to. Because it's unlikely I would have been told that I'd have the outcome that I did if I asked this forum. So do your research, do your best, and see what happens.
the PS and DS could really help your overall app.
And when you're applying with numbers that aren't the highest, Dreambig15's above point about your PS and DS is especially true.