The Official BLSD "What Are My Chances?/Where Should I Apply?" Thread

[CocoPuff]

(stats removed) plus I'm applying late. Is Fordham even a possibility? Columbia?

[zacharyl20]

Hello, I am a 19 years old African American male who is about to graduate from college. I have a low cumliative GPA (3.1) and I haven't taken the LSAT yet. I think I could possibly score in the 160's on the LSAT. My GPA is low because I had to work 20-25 hours per week, while taking 18-21 credits a semester.I needed the money to support my family, I also have went through an extreme amount of extuenting circumstances. I lived in homeless shelter at one point. Anyway, what law schools could I possibly gain admission into? Will admission committees take my early graduation as a positive or negative? Thank you for any responses and have a happy holiday season.

[HBCU.EDU]

Hello, I am a 19 years old African American male who is about to graduate from college. I have a low cumliative GPA (3.1) and I haven't taken the LSAT yet. I think I could possibly score in the 160's on the LSAT. My GPA is low because I had to work 20-25 hours per week, while taking 18-21 credits a semester.I needed the money to support my family, I also have went through an extreme amount of extuenting circumstances. I lived in homeless shelter at one point. Anyway, what law schools could I possibly gain admission into? Will admission committees take my early graduation as a positive or negative? Thank you for any responses and have a happy holiday season.

Welcome to BLSD. Where do you want to study law? Also, where did you go to undergrad and how much time did you spend in college? I think it's a positive that you graduated early if that is the case. However, I don't see how you were able to graduate at 19 if your extenuating circumstances were so extreme. You seem to have good "soft factors", i.e., homeless shelter, worked in college, supported your family, etc. Those aspects of your life are a positive and can be used to write a strong personal statement that shows your ability to overcome adversity. You may not need to share that  information if your LSAT speaks for itself though.   

Your LSAT score will decide which law school you get into. Have you taken any practice exams? If you score in the 160s I think you have a great shot at getting into the school of your choice but it all depends on where you are trying to study.   

[zacharyl20]

Well, I am scheduled get through college in 30 months thanks to God. I entered college a month after I turned 17. It has not been easy. I had surgery three months ago so that a tumor could be removed from my arm. I missed two weeks of classes due to this. I also have had to deal psychologically with my grandmother. She suffered a stroke and is unable to talk to me, she is simply a "vegetable" at this point. I was also raised by a single mother, she can not afford a lot of things so I am basically helping to support her and myself. I haven't seen my father in over 13 years. I have a long list of extreme circumstances. That is why I am not ashamed of my accomplishments. Yeah I will not graduate cum laude, but I think that it is a blessing to graduate with a respectable GPA in 30 months considering everything I went and am still going through. I attended two schools a public and a private in New York, both are respectable regionally.

[shae]

ok im not black but i decided to venture over b/c i ran out of topics to read or comment on.  hope you guys dont mind.

i think, with your situation (and a good LSAT score) you would have a good shot anywhere (even if you weren't URM).

If you do well on the LSAT then your somewhat lower GPA is VERY explainable.  Study your ass off for the LSAT!

It sounds like you have had a really difficult life- it is very inspiring to me that you have been able to accomplish so much with so many things trying to hold you back.  Good luck with everything!

[intent06]

Of course, no one minds if you post here.  Come chat anytime man.  I think you offered some solid advice.  Congrats on all of the acceptances so far!

[zacharyl20]

I would just like to say thank you to everyone who has given me words of encouragement. I am not an emotional guy, but your kind words of encouragement really mean a lot to me. Now that I am thinking about, I wonder how I survived some of the things I did. I just want to let everyone know that anything is possible in life, the statistics were undoubtedly aganist me, however, I believe that I am living proof that anyone can beat statistics. I really want and NEED to take a prep course for the LSAT. Does anyone know of any programs for poor/minority students that give discounts or possibly free preparation to these type of students? Thank you.

[HBCU.EDU]

I would just like to say thank you to everyone who has given me words of encouragement. I am not an emotional guy, but your kind words of encouragement really mean a lot to me. Now that I am thinking about, I wonder how I survived some of the things I did. I just want to let everyone know that anything is possible in life, the statistics were undoubtedly aganist me, however, I believe that I am living proof that anyone can beat statistics. I really want and NEED to take a prep course for the LSAT. Does anyone know of any programs for poor/minority students that give discounts or possibly free preparation to these type of students? Thank you.

Hold up now...You may not need a prep course for the LSAT. I took the Kaplan prep and spent 1000.00 on it. It was a waste of time and money. I wish I found BLSD before making that investment. First, purchase as many practice exams as you can and take many many test under timed conditions. That way, you don't have to make a 1000.00 investment if you are making the score that can get you into your first choice. However, if you take those exams under timed conditions and you feel like you still need extra help then you can take a prep course. Go to this site http://www.lsac.org  You can get practice exams here. Take 5 or 10 of these exams first because you may score in the 160s without any outside help. The practice exams are not expensive at all. lsac.org even has 1 free practice exam. Got to: THE LSAT > LSAT PREPARATION > LSAT SAMPLE TEST.

[Slow Blues]

I would just like to say thank you to everyone who has given me words of encouragement. I am not an emotional guy, but your kind words of encouragement really mean a lot to me. Now that I am thinking about, I wonder how I survived some of the things I did. I just want to let everyone know that anything is possible in life, the statistics were undoubtedly aganist me, however, I believe that I am living proof that anyone can beat statistics. I really want and NEED to take a prep course for the LSAT. Does anyone know of any programs for poor/minority students that give discounts or possibly free preparation to these type of students? Thank you.

I don't know of any programs. I agree with HBCU that you may not necessarily need to take a prep course. I would start with LSAT prep books you can find in Barnes & Noble or wherever and also get as many practice tests as you can from LSAC and other sources. Read and practice with the books and then sit for a few practice exams. There are free ones administered from time to time. Your prep needs to be rigorous.

I'm guessing you're not applying this cycle (two months is not enough time to prep for the February 06 LSAT), but starting to study now gives you a good amount of prep time for the June 2006 exam. This puts you in the best position to get your applications in EARLY.

Later down the line, after you've sat for the LSAT, depending on your financial situation, you can request need-based fee waivers from practically any school to which you'd like to apply. Make sure you sign up for the Candidate Referral Service on LSAC. You'll get a lot of junk mail, but you'll also get waivers from schools.

Also, you should think about getting letters of recommendation now, while professors are familiar with you and your classwork.

You've definitely more than just survived against the odds; you've excelled. I don't think your young age will be a hindrance to admission, considering everything else against which you've prevailed. Yet, you are correct, your GPA is on the low side, just like mine was. I think to have a good shot at the best schools, you will need to do as well as you possibly can on the LSAT (over 160). We're all here to help you out.

[Kobe]

I would retake. But is it worth it if I only improve by 4 points ? I want to apply this cycle and Feb. is far too late from what I hear.

So Northwestern and UMich really are a possiblity ?

Well, where were you practice testing? 160 or so?

I'd say Northwestern and Michigan are an outside possibility. It's worth it to try, but these would be your reaches if you're not re-taking. I would suggest: Arizona, Florida, Hofstra, Maryland, Miami, Rutgers-Newark, Temple, and perhaps Brooklyn. You'd stand a good shot at most of these. Any idea where you'd like to practice?

I hope to practice in the NorthEast (Virginia, MA, also Pennsylvania, New York...) I guess I would have to have a good reason for my low LSAT