Should you apply to T14 schools if you are a splitter?

[nikki608]

Hello, I am an extreme splitter (160 LSAT/ 3.93 GPA) and my dream school is NYU. I know that I am above the 75th percentile for GPA but have a well below the 25th percentile LSAT score. I have the following soft factors going for me:
URM (I am an African American Woman)
I am a polyglot (I speak conversationally German, French,Spanish, and Kiswahili)
I have taught in Japan
I have taught ESL children in Spanish and English
I conducted original research in Tanzania concerning the intersection between law and psychology
I have worked in a South African law firm.
According to my pre-law advisor, I have a great PS . I also have 2 solid letters of recommendation. Do the above soft factors and experience make up for a low LSAT score or should I save my money and apply elsewhere?

Thank you

[Zach Foreman]

Nikki,
Whether it is worth the $85 admission fee to apply to NYU Law is pretty subjective. You could look at it in the context of the $33k annual tuition, the $15-20k student housing costs and the other living costs associated with NYC. Or you could compare it to the $200 LSAT fee and the hours of prep.
You also need to weigh what a "dream school" means to you. Is it worth $85? And then we have to try to calculate your chances of admission. What if the chance is only one percent? Would that be worth it? What about 10 percent?
You are well below the 25 percentile score (167) and at the 75 percentile for GPA. The entering class is 37 percent of color and 50 percent female.
If we look at, say, Fordham, which is ranked around #35 (with NYU and Columbia at around #5), we see that you are at just below the 25 percentile for LSAT and above the 75 for GPA.
Perhaps you could think about it as an $85 lottery ticket where you have a 1 in 50 chance of getting into your dream school. I personally would do it, but it really depends on what better things you have to spend the $85 on.
Sorry I couldn't be more specific but admissions are highly variable and so are personal financial situations.

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Nikki,

Let me give a slightly different perspective, although I agree with the uncertainty and variability Zach discusses above.

In my estimation, your chances are around 50-50. So, given this is your dream school, I'd apply. BUT, I'd also request a fee waiver from the admissions office first. They do give them out, and there's a reasonable chance they'd give one to you. Never hurts to try!

Thanks!