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

[A.]

Not likely.  LSAT needs to be a few points higher.

[Jamie Stringer]

There's that. But there's also the fact that HLS has a pretty good breadth of programs so it's likely that there is at least one person doing work that someone would want to do. I want to do a fairly niche area of law and there has been a lot of support on campus for that (and seemingly a lot of alumni in that field, so good connections). Good support for those who want to do public interest too (well, at least for my class. Incoming classes will have a bit of a different system).

Not saying you're wrong about prestige though. It doesn't hurt when I get to tell potential employers where I go to school. They become more interested, at the very least

Yes, of course there are other reasons to attend any school.  GULC also has a wide breadth of programs and probably would've given you merit money to boot. But yet you ended up at Harvard...why?  Nevertheless, I see your point in that that's a reason one might choose Harvard over, say, Stanford.

Funny enough, I actually get more money from being a poor at Harvard than I would have gotten for merit + being a poor at GULC. But I see your point

[MosDef1185]

well it sounds like your predictions were pretty spot on...I have the first HLS phone interview on Friday.

Nervous does not even begin to describe how I'm feeling right now.

[A.]

Congrats.  Just be yourself; the hard part is over.

[jaw5xs]

I'm a Black male at UVA.

Economics Major with a minor in Global Culture and Commerce

3.2 GPA and a 166 LSAT

I'm pretty involved on campus and have had internships at the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the last 4 years.

What are my chances at any of the t14?

[A.]

Target the mid-t14.  You should get into some.  Apply to CCN and H too.

[MosDef1185]

So, in case anyone was wondering, I did in fact get into Harvard earlier this week!!!!!!!

I have withdrawn from all of my other schools save for Chicago, Michigan, Columbia and NYU, and I am wondering if there is any logic in even keeping those apps alive. I want to work at a V10 for a few years before eventually moving into finance/business. Therefore, I suspect that any additional debt I'd be taking on by choosing H won't be such a big deal.

Thanks again!

[A.]

Congrats.  Yeah I'd consider money at the other places.  They'll still get you biglaw, but you won't have to write a fat check to a loan provider every month once you get there.  Trust me, there are other things you'd rather do with the money, like invest or save it, or even buy a nice watch or a new suit.  That said, if Harvard offers decent aid, go with it.

[MosDef1185]

Congrats.  Yeah I'd consider money at the other places.  They'll still get you biglaw, but you won't have to write a fat check to a loan provider every month once you get there.  Trust me, there are other things you'd rather do with the money, like invest or save it, or even buy a nice watch or a new suit.  That said, if Harvard offers decent aid, go with it.

sure. as someone that has already graduated, i'm sure youve got a better grasp of what BIG DEBT means than I do.

i've heard people mention that employment prospects are better for urms than others, all else equal. therefore, I wonder if an above median urm would still have a shot at the super-elite firms coming out of a chicago or nyu given that some dont come to oci. also, is there something to be said for having HYS on the resume should one decide to transition out of law?

[A.]

Congrats.  Yeah I'd consider money at the other places.  They'll still get you biglaw, but you won't have to write a fat check to a loan provider every month once you get there.  Trust me, there are other things you'd rather do with the money, like invest or save it, or even buy a nice watch or a new suit.  That said, if Harvard offers decent aid, go with it.

sure. as someone that has already graduated, i'm sure youve got a better grasp of what BIG DEBT means than I do.

And mine isn't nearly as bad as others' (esp. those who also have ugrad debt...)

i've heard people mention that employment prospects are better for urms than others, all else equal. therefore, I wonder if an above median urm would still have a shot at the super-elite firms coming out of a chicago or nyu given that some dont come to oci.

There aren't that many firms that don't interview at Chi and NYU (only Jenner DC immediately comes to mind...and I don't recall whether they interview at Chi, which is still considered more elite than NYU in those circles).  Whether they're even that great is up for debate (Jenner in particular).

also, is there something to be said for having HYS on the resume should one decide to transition out of law?

Sure.  Can't deny that.  But if you're going to be in NYC, Columbia is just as good.  Otherwise, HY certainly have more lay appeal (Stanford is debatable on the East Coast...I don't think that gets you any further than Columbia).