Chances? 171 Lsat 3.57 gpa

[T14aspirant]

Hi,

I just got my June Lsat score (171). It was my first attempt, and I am happy with it. I’m trying to decide where I can realistically apply with my low GPA though. I am a first generation college student ( Not URM), and I plan on attaching an addendum to explain my weaker semesters due to family drama. My most recent semester gpa was a 3.87. Could I get some feedback on whether or not I have a shot at schools like Columbia, NYU, or Penn?

[Seamus]

Hi,

One helpful site to try to discern possible acceptance is Law School Numbers. With a 171 and 3.75 GPA, you have a good chance getting into NYU, UofM, and other T14 schools (even with some $$?). Penn and Columbia, according to past cycles, might be a reach but definitely not impossible. Congrats on a great score and best of luck!
http://lawschoolnumbers.com/gpa-3.5/lsat-171

[T14aspirant]

Thank you! That website looks very helpful!

[Adam Tyson]

Hey there T14aspirant, LSAC has a calculator you can use, too, here: https://officialguide.lsac.org/Release/ ... ALSAT.aspx

Understand that these calculators only measure stats based on numbers, and they do not take into account your "softs" in your application - letter of recommendation, your particular undergraduate institution and the difficulty of your program of study, your personal statement and personal and professional experiences, your interview, etc. Don't let a calculator tell you that you aren't good enough for a particular school! Consider admissions counseling to overcome any shortcomings in your numbers. I find your being the first in your family to go to college to be very compelling, and I suspect there is more to be said about that in a personal statement that could be very powerful.

Assuming that you are done with your undergraduate studies, there is nothing more you can do about your GPA, but you should consider retaking the LSAT, even though you already have a fantastic score, because even just a couple more points could drastically improve your odds of getting into either of your target schools. Are you registered for July? If not, I would suggest registering for September and resuming a regular pattern of study and practice tests.

Good luck, and great job! Keep us posted on your progress!

[T14aspirant]

Hey there T14aspirant, LSAC has a calculator you can use, too, here: https://officialguide.lsac.org/Release/ ... ALSAT.aspx

Understand that these calculators only measure stats based on numbers, and they do not take into account your "softs" in your application - letter of recommendation, your particular undergraduate institution and the difficulty of your program of study, your personal statement and personal and professional experiences, your interview, etc. Don't let a calculator tell you that you aren't good enough for a particular school! Consider admissions counseling to overcome any shortcomings in your numbers. I find your being the first in your family to go to college to be very compelling, and I suspect there is more to be said about that in a personal statement that could be very powerful.

Assuming that you are done with your undergraduate studies, there is nothing more you can do about your GPA, but you should consider retaking the LSAT, even though you already have a fantastic score, because even just a couple more points could drastically improve your odds of getting into either of your target schools. Are you registered for July? If not, I would suggest registering for September and resuming a regular pattern of study and practice tests.

Good luck, and great job! Keep us posted on your progress!

Thank you! I’m going to be a senior next year and I plan on improving my gpa as much as possible, but I also plan on applying starting in September, so schools probably won’t see my senior grades before I apply. My score on June was the same as my highest PT; would you still recommend retaking?

[Adam Tyson]

Absolutely, especially if you are aspiring to attend a Top 14 school. A retake cannot hurt and can certainly help if you improve. If you study effectively you should see some improvement over the summer.Worst case scenario is you don't do any better, and your high score is still the only one that matters! Of course work on pulling up the GPA. Perhaps that could be the factor that, a year from now, gets you off a waiting list and puts an acceptance letter in your hands? Or, if you are not happy with your prospects this year, you take a gap year, do something incredible with it, and go again next cycle with the higher GPA? Control what you can, while you can, and right now the GPA and the LSAT score are both still within your control.