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2.9 GPA-Looking to get into ASU Law or USD
ConnorBringas:
Good Morning,
This is my first post in this forum. I am excited to start studying for the LSAT and would like to know my chances at getting into these schools. I have done quite a bit of research and have come to the conclusion that I need between a 160-165 to get in. Is this accurate? Can anyone tell me more about these two schools-law students or recent graduates.
Thank you in advance,
Connor Bringas
Maintain FL 350:
Check out LSAC's law school database, they have the numbers. According to LSAC, it looks like you'd have a decent shot at USD with an LSAT above 160. For ASU, however, it looks like your GPA is a bit low and you'd have to compensate with a much higher LSAT. Even with 165-169, only a few people with your GPA were admitted.
Again, don't just take my word for it, be sure to check out the admissions data on LSAC's site. Other factors could also affect your chances (URM status, etc.), but law school admission is primarily a numbers game.
Here's something else to consider:
San Diego and Phoenix are very different cities and your post-law school options will likely be very different depending on which school you choose. Both schools have good local reputations, but neither is so prestigious that you'll be able to easily pick up and move to another part of the country and find a job based on pedigree alone. Your opportunities for internships, clerkships, and networking will probably be within the immediate area, and you'll therefore likely end up working in that area after law school.
Take the time to really think about what you want to do after law school, and where you want to live. If, for example, your goal is to live by the beach in SD, then you're probably better off going to USD than ASU even though ASU might be ranked higher. For that matter, you may even be better off going to Cal Western or Thomas Jefferson (with a possible scholarship).
Law school is a huge investment financially, emotionally, and mentally. Try to pick a school that is going to help you realize your goals, whatever they may be.
Hope that helped, and good luck.
ConnorBringas:
Thank you, that definitely helped. I currently live in Arizona, however I am from San Diego (born and raised). I want to take the BAR in California, and live in California. Its good to know that I can still get into USD with a good LSAT score. I was afraid that with my GPA I couldnt get into either.
Appreciate your time,
Connor Bringas
ConnorBringas:
I have one more question with what you mentioned, Is Thomas Jefferson a good school?
I have read really negative reviews and your suggestion on attending that school confused me. Are there any prior attendees from this school that can discuss Thomas Jefferson?
Thank you,
Connor Bringas
Maintain FL 350:
--- Quote from: ConnorBringas on October 30, 2012, 04:00:37 PM ---I want to take the BAR in California, and live in California.
--- End quote ---
Bottom line, going to law school in California will better prepare you for the California bar exam and help you develop contacts and market familiarity. It's always a good idea to go to law school where you want to live.
--- Quote from: ConnorBringas on October 30, 2012, 04:31:36 PM ---Is Thomas Jefferson a good school? I have read really negative reviews and your suggestion on attending that school confused me.
--- End quote ---
Well, I'm not suggesting that you attend TJSL (or any other law school, for that matter). I was just using that school to illustrate the point I made above, that you should go to law school where you want to live. My point is that if you want to live in SD you'd probably have better networking opportunities at a San Diego school than at an Arizona school, even if the Arizona school is higher ranked. You'll find that once you get away from the Harvard/Yale crowd, most law schools have local reputations.
I didn't attend any of the schools we're talking about, so I can't provide any personal opinions. All of those schools are ABA approved and have lots of alumni working in their respective areas. The education you'll receive at any one is practically identical. That's the primary effect of ABA accreditation: it creates predictable, standardized legal training.
Is Thomas Jefferson a "good school"? Personally, I don't think there are any "bad" ABA schools. The fact that they've met the accreditation criteria (which is no small task) speaks more to the quality of the education that whatever subjective BS a rankings scheme claims.
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