Splitter - what LSAT for T14? Forum

[splitterhopeful]

I am interested in attending a T-14 school, particularly Northwestern. Also looking at GULS (P/T maybe), UVA. Also interested outside of the T-14 in Notre Dame and Fordham.

Problem is: 2.5 LSDAS GPA. 2.9 Regular GPA. Major upward trend (0.5 first semester...made Dean's list several times once into my major). My school was a T3 school in NC (albeit one of the best T3 in NC! haha)...so no prestige there. Degree: English.

Obviously, I need a 170+. What do you think? No shot without a 175+? No shot at all?

I graduated in 2008 and have worked FT since at 3 different positions...currently at a University. Nothing too amazing, but have great references and could maybe twist my work around into some sort of managerial experience for Northwestern's WE requirements.

I feel like law school would be a waste of money if I do not make it in the top 50, and I would love the T14 obviously.

Thanks.

[blue16]

You need to kill the LSAT.

http://www.lawschoolpredictor.com
http://www.lawschoolcalculator.com
http://www.lawschoolnumbers.com

Nobody here has any information that those three sites can't give you.

[im_blue]

To have any shot at a T14, you will definitely need a 170+ and almost certainly a 172+.

[09042014]

171 if you ED to Northwestern would give you a shot.

Otherwise 172 at NU, but the higher the better.

I think UVA is out the door no matter what.

[NayBoer]

Plus, apply to WUSTL and Midwest splitter schools as desired.

[vanwinkle]

171 if you ED to Northwestern would give you a shot.

Otherwise 172 at NU, but the higher the better.

I think UVA is out the door no matter what.

Plus, apply to WUSTL and Midwest splitter schools as desired.

Both answers are credited. "Midwest splitter schools" also includes (but is not limited to) UIUC and IU-B. Those are schools that will even throw $$ sometimes at high-LSAT splitters.

[EdmundBurke23]

What do you think a 3.41 LSDAS GPA would need in order to qualify for the T10 range? Anyone?

I have just "okay" softs: international teaching experience, president of business student organization, participation in cultural organizations, etc. I've already done a scan on lawschoolpredictor, but I prefer to have some subjective feedback. -Thanks!

[stratocophic]

What do you think a 3.41 LSDAS GPA would need in order to qualify for the T10 range? Anyone?

I have just "okay" softs: international teaching experience, president of business student organization, participation in cultural organizations, etc. I've already done a scan on lawschoolpredictor, but I prefer to have some subjective feedback. -Thanks!

You'll need to get in based on LSAT alone since you're not at/above T10 GPA medians. That implies at least above the school in question's median LSAT, and likely at/above 75%. Thus, bare minimum 167, probably 168 for T14. For T10, 169 will probably be the lowest acceptable score. A 170+ will increase your chances exponentially, as just hitting median won't separate you from balanced candidates and heavy splitters. I'd shoot for at least a 172.

[im_blue]

What do you think a 3.41 LSDAS GPA would need in order to qualify for the T10 range? Anyone?

I have just "okay" softs: international teaching experience, president of business student organization, participation in cultural organizations, etc. I've already done a scan on lawschoolpredictor, but I prefer to have some subjective feedback. -Thanks!

You'd need a 170-171 for T10.

[EdmundBurke23]

What do you think a 3.41 LSDAS GPA would need in order to qualify for the T10 range? Anyone?

I have just "okay" softs: international teaching experience, president of business student organization, participation in cultural organizations, etc. I've already done a scan on lawschoolpredictor, but I prefer to have some subjective feedback. -Thanks!

You'll need to get in based on LSAT alone since you're not at/above T10 GPA medians. That implies at least above the school in question's median LSAT, and likely at/above 75%. Thus, bare minimum 167, probably 168 for T14. For T10, 169 will probably be the lowest acceptable score. A 170+ will increase your chances exponentially, as just hitting median won't separate you from balanced candidates and heavy splitters. I'd shoot for at least a 172.

Right now I'm scoring about 163-166, and am sitting for the June LSAT. Since the numbers you've suggested constitute bare minimums, it would be better for me to shoot for a 173+, I think. It's possible, at least I hope so! I still have 45+ more PTs to go through!

Would a 174+ put me at a decent shot for CCN? Not necessarily Columbia, but the other two, I guess?

How would my work experience help when it comes to being considered at Northwestern? I can see a lot of people considering teaching as a joke job, but I'm hoping that it could help... any additional comments/thoughts on the aforementioned topics?

[stratocophic]

What do you think a 3.41 LSDAS GPA would need in order to qualify for the T10 range? Anyone?

I have just "okay" softs: international teaching experience, president of business student organization, participation in cultural organizations, etc. I've already done a scan on lawschoolpredictor, but I prefer to have some subjective feedback. -Thanks!

You'll need to get in based on LSAT alone since you're not at/above T10 GPA medians. That implies at least above the school in question's median LSAT, and likely at/above 75%. Thus, bare minimum 167, probably 168 for T14. For T10, 169 will probably be the lowest acceptable score. A 170+ will increase your chances exponentially, as just hitting median won't separate you from balanced candidates and heavy splitters. I'd shoot for at least a 172.

Right now I'm scoring about 163-166, and am sitting for the June LSAT. Since the numbers you've suggested constitute bare minimums, it would be better for me to shoot for a 173+, I think. It's possible, at least I hope so! I still have 45+ more PTs to go through!

Would a 174+ put me at a decent shot for CCN? Not necessarily Columbia, but the other two, I guess?

How would my work experience help when it comes to being considered at Northwestern? I can see a lot of people considering teaching as a joke job, but I'm hoping that it could help... any additional comments/thoughts on the aforementioned topics?

Yes. A 175 would put you in the running for Columbia (outside chance, but still a chance), as it's their 75%. A 173 will do the same for Chicago and NYU. Not sure about Northwestern's stance on teaching. I assume they would consider it, though. It seems that it would be contradictory for a university to look down upon a person furthering the purpose for which the institution exists. On a side note, I'd recommend using the LR and LG Bibles from Powerscore, if you don't already have them.

[lawimbecile]

I am interested in attending a T-14 school, particularly Northwestern. Also looking at GULS (P/T maybe), UVA. Also interested outside of the T-14 in Notre Dame and Fordham.

Problem is: 2.5 LSDAS GPA. 2.9 Regular GPA. Major upward trend (0.5 first semester...made Dean's list several times once into my major). My school was a T3 school in NC (albeit one of the best T3 in NC! haha)...so no prestige there. Degree: English.

Obviously, I need a 170+. What do you think? No shot without a 175+? No shot at all?

I graduated in 2008 and have worked FT since at 3 different positions...currently at a University. Nothing too amazing, but have great references and could maybe twist my work around into some sort of managerial experience for Northwestern's WE requirements.

I feel like law school would be a waste of money if I do not make it in the top 50, and I would love the T14 obviously.

Thanks.

With a 2.5 LSDAS GPA, the only T14 that would conceivably roll the dice on you is NU, and T25 schools are not splitter-friendly. Aim for 173 to get above NU's 75th percentile. Then you should ED at Northwestern early in the cycle, write excellent essays and an effective grade addendum, submit stellar recommendations, and blow out your interview. Even if all those pieces pan out favorably, your chances are pretty slim.

[09042014]

I am interested in attending a T-14 school, particularly Northwestern. Also looking at GULS (P/T maybe), UVA. Also interested outside of the T-14 in Notre Dame and Fordham.

Problem is: 2.5 LSDAS GPA. 2.9 Regular GPA. Major upward trend (0.5 first semester...made Dean's list several times once into my major). My school was a T3 school in NC (albeit one of the best T3 in NC! haha)...so no prestige there. Degree: English.

Obviously, I need a 170+. What do you think? No shot without a 175+? No shot at all?

I graduated in 2008 and have worked FT since at 3 different positions...currently at a University. Nothing too amazing, but have great references and could maybe twist my work around into some sort of managerial experience for Northwestern's WE requirements.

I feel like law school would be a waste of money if I do not make it in the top 50, and I would love the T14 obviously.

Thanks.

With a 2.5 LSDAS GPA, the only T14 that would conceivably roll the dice on you is NU, and T25 schools are not splitter-friendly. Aim for 173 to get above NU's 75th percentile. Then you should ED at Northwestern early in the cycle, write excellent essays and an effective grade addendum, submit stellar recommendations, and blow out your interview. Even if all those pieces pan out favorably, your chances are pretty slim.

I don't think his chances at NU with a 173 would be slim. I think they are pretty good. Everyone on LSN who ED'd and had above median LSAT and work experience got in. My PS was terrible, and my LOR were pretty mediocre at best.

Beyond that, Minn, Wustl, UIUC, UIB are T25 schools that accept splitters.

[splitterhopeful]

Thank you for the hope Desert Fox. Northwestern is precisely what I am going for.

[vanwinkle]

Thank you for the hope Desert Fox. Northwestern is precisely what I am going for.

As a splitter I ended up getting WL'd by NU with a 3.0/170, but I also applied RD. When applying with a subpar GPA and hoping for NU to grab you, ED is most certainly your friend.

[09042014]

Thank you for the hope Desert Fox. Northwestern is precisely what I am going for.

As a splitter I ended up getting WL'd by NU with a 3.0/170, but I also applied RD. When applying with a subpar GPA and hoping for NU to grab you, ED is most certainly your friend.

Also note that NU has a small but active waitlist, especially for splitters with W/E.

[NayBoer]

Would a 174+ put me at a decent shot for CCN? Not necessarily Columbia, but the other two, I guess?

Yes. A 175 would put you in the running for Columbia (outside chance, but still a chance), as it's their 75%. A 173 will do the same for Chicago and NYU.

Almost nobody under 3.0 should be wasting time and money on CCN or B. Those are fee-waiver-only schools, unless your rich uncle Milton dies. MVP also very difficult under 3.0. Might work with ED, but not likely.

GULC and WUSTL app recommended to all splitters. Northwestern app mandatory for all 170+ splitters with work experience.