Chances for Northwestern ED?

[TeNz1N]

Greetings,

I am applying this cycle with a 168/3.88 as a recent college graduate without full-time work experience. I wonder about my chances of applying ED for Northwestern, since I heard Northwestern tends to favor those applicants with considerable full-time experience.

If the lack of full-time work experience puts me at disadvantage for Northwestern, are there suggestions for other ED options, such as Cornell, UVA, or maybe NYU?

Thank you very much!

[Adam Tyson]

Hey TeNz1N, congratulations on that LSAT score! From what I can see, you are in a good position to apply to Northwestern. I'm not seeing much about a preference for those with extensive full time work experience, and in fact the stats on their web page indicate that the average age of their entering class last year was 26, with some students as young as 20 years old, which suggests that a large portion of them were folks just out of undergrad or with only a couple years out working. The average was almost certainly pulled up by a minority of applicants much older. Your LSAT score is just a touch below their median, and your GPA is well above it, almost at their 75th percentile, so the numbers are very favorable. Early decision also can help tip the scales slightly in your favor, because they like knowing that when they make an offer it will be accepted.

As to other options, if Northwestern is what you want, then apply for the ED program there, and submit regular apps for other programs. When you are accepted to Northwestern you will have to withdraw those other applications. You can't do binding ED apps at more than one school.

Good luck!

[TeNz1N]

Hi Adam,

Thank you very much for your kind reply!

A follow-up question: since I believe I have misperformed badly in my most recent LSAT (a 167, while my PTs fell stably at around 172), would you suggest a retake, even if I have taken the LSAT for four times already?

Thank you for your kindness again.

[Dave Killoran]

Hi TeN,

Two things for you:

First, this article might be of interest, especially since it shows NW as giving an ED advantage: https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/applyi ... -not-to-ed.

Second, given your PTs in the 170s, and your current high of 168, I'd retake it one more time to see if you can break that 170 barrier. You can ask NW to process your app under Ed, but if that fails, you then have a higher LSAT score (hopefully!) to move forward with. The extra points would be worth the 5th take on your record!

Thanks!