What do I need to stand out?

[mollyrosel]

Hi PowerScore,

I just received my LSAT scores and received a very unsettling 151, which I expected. I'm thoroughly disappointed in this performance, but for a variety of reasons, I plan to go ahead with my applications without a retake. I am based in Cambridge and would really like to stay in the area for law school. Obviously, Harvard is out, but I am hoping to apply to Boston College, Boston University, and Northeastern (the latter school being the only realistic school, I think). *Edited to add: I just re-read Daniel Plainview's blog post on this topic and it seems that BC and, to some extent, BU are unfriendly to reverse splitters I have read a bit about "super reverse splitters", but I'm hoping someone can advise me further. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from an average university (University of Arizona) with a 3.9 GPA. I have been out of school for 5 years now, and have had steady employment. I do plan to write an addendum explaining the low LSAT score, and I feel confident that I can write a compelling personal statement. Is there anything else I can do to increase my chances of acceptance? Am I a total lost cause?

Thanks,
Molly

[Dave Killoran]

Hi PowerScore,

I just received my LSAT scores and received a very unsettling 151, which I expected. I'm thoroughly disappointed in this performance, but for a variety of reasons, I plan to go ahead with my applications without a retake. I am based in Cambridge and would really like to stay in the area for law school. Obviously, Harvard is out, but I am hoping to apply to Boston College, Boston University, and Northeastern (the latter school being the only realistic school, I think). *Edited to add: I just re-read Daniel Plainview's blog post on this topic and it seems that BC and, to some extent, BU are unfriendly to reverse splitters I have read a bit about "super reverse splitters", but I'm hoping someone can advise me further. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from an average university (University of Arizona) with a 3.9 GPA. I have been out of school for 5 years now, and have had steady employment. I do plan to write an addendum explaining the low LSAT score, and I feel confident that I can write a compelling personal statement. Is there anything else I can do to increase my chances of acceptance? Am I a total lost cause?

Thanks,
Molly

Hi Molly,

Thanks for the questions! There's really two questions in here, and the first is whether applying is a lost cause. It's not, but the chances are BU and BC are really hit or miss. When you look at applicants to schools in that range (20a and low 30s), you see occasional admits going out to students with similar numbers to you. But there's not a ton of data available, so it's really hard to tell how an individual school will respond to a particular applicant. I know this, however, that aside from the time and cost, there's no harm in trying. It only takes one school to choose you, and after that the supposed chances don't matter at all

The second question is what can you do to stand out. The honest answer is that at this point, there's very little you can do. Your GPA, work history, and extracurriculars have been set in stone by you over the prior 5-10 years. They cannot be changed on short notice. Your LSAT could be changed, but I respect your decision to not retake. It is, however, the single most influential part of your application (as it is for everyone), and if you really wanted to change your status, it can only come via a retake. After that, all that is left is the personal statement (Letters of Rec are both out of your hands and the result of prior time investment on your part). You clearly are aware that your PS will be important, but regrettably a fantastic PS rarely "moves the needle." It will help, but by itself it won't truly make you stand out (a very good friend of mine who is a law school consultant likes to say, "A PS can keep you out but it can't get you in.").

So, aside from sitting for the LSAT again, you should write a killer personal statement, and then simply take a chance on the schools that you want. It only takes one person to champion you, and you might get lucky!

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!

[mollyrosel]

Thank you, Dave. I appreciate the advice and encouragement. I'll try to stay optimistic and hope for the best! And, thanks for all you do.