International Degrees - Realistic Expectations for Admission

[js1202]

Hi all,

I am an American citizen, but I got both my undergraduate and Master's degree from a university abroad. I understand from trawling through forum posts and other sources that with an international "GPA", admissions committees will look primarily at my LSAT score, personal statement and letters of recommendation.

With an LSAT of 171, an CAS foreign transcript evaluation of "Above Average", a Master's Degree in Law (equivalent to a first professional degree in the US) and about 2 years of work experience by the time I plan to submit my application, how realistic are my chances for acceptance at a T6/T10/T14 school? I have letters of recommendation from my academic supervisor for a law clinic, a work supervisor and a judge for whom I clerked during my graduate degree.

I was wondering if it would even be worth "shooting my shot" at a T6 school or if I would be better off saving my money on my application fee. If I have 0% chance of getting in, I don't know that I'd want to spend $85 on an application.

I would appreciate any feedback you could give me.

Thanks!

[Dave Killoran]

Hi all,

I am an American citizen, but I got both my undergraduate and Master's degree from a university abroad. I understand from trawling through forum posts and other sources that with an international "GPA", admissions committees will look primarily at my LSAT score, personal statement and letters of recommendation.

With an LSAT of 171, an CAS foreign transcript evaluation of "Above Average", a Master's Degree in Law (equivalent to a first professional degree in the US) and about 2 years of work experience by the time I plan to submit my application, how realistic are my chances for acceptance at a T6/T10/T14 school? I have letters of recommendation from my academic supervisor for a law clinic, a work supervisor and a judge for whom I clerked during my graduate degree.

I was wondering if it would even be worth "shooting my shot" at a T6 school or if I would be better off saving my money on my application fee. If I have 0% chance of getting in, I don't know that I'd want to spend $85 on an application.

I would appreciate any feedback you could give me.

Thanks!

Hi JS,

Thanks for the message! With your background and score, you will always have a shot, so at all schools you will be above 0%

That aside, let's look at some of the stats here. Your LSAT does become more important, as do your softs, such as your essay and LORs. The T3 in particular is very hard to predict because the standards are incredibly high, but every year these schools take a strong selection of students with international degrees, so on that basis you are on equal footing. Your LSAT is actually the "issue" (if it can be called that) at the top schools:

• LSAT Percentiles (75th / 50th / 25th)
  
  Harvard: LSAT: 175 / 173 / 170
  
  Yale: LSAT: 175 / 173 / 170
  
  Stanford: 174 / 171 / 169

So, at Stanford you right at the median, but at Yale and Harvard you are below it. That automatically puts you at a disadvantage. Fatal? No, definitely not, but it also shows how it's really a dice roll here, and the chances are under 50%.

Your chances in the T14 are excellent in general, but once you reach the very top, it's very unpredictable. Nail your essay and LORs, and someone there may fall in love with you and send the Admit. But if not, your numbers don't matter at all--I've seen them reject 180s before.

So, you have a chance at the top, and I'd probably give it a go. But that call is yours

Thanks and good luck!

[js1202]

Thank you for the breakdown, Dave! This is super helpful. The vast majority of the information I see online is reliant at least in part on having a US GPA, so this is both clarifying and encouraging!

I think I will take a chance at applying and just work on polishing my personal statement as much as possible. Thanks again!