r/OutsideT14lawschools

169 LSAT (1 official attempt so far), 2.31 CAS GPA, 3.2 degree GPA (still bad, I know), 5 years W.E. in tech. Bad grades from 8-10 years ago (screwed around in college), upward trend after transferring to an online uGrad program. Made a complete life transformation after facing hospitalizations from mental health, including losing 100 lbs of weight gained from medications (not sure if that’s relevant, but it’s part of my story!). What are my chances at T30-T60 schools? Aiming for east coast schools, specifically mid-northeast. Please be honest but nice, thanks!

What’s the thoughts on UMass law? I have a full scholarship here and can’t afford the other law schools I got into. Am I doomed because of the ranking?

So I am looking at hopefully either Wayne State or Michigan State for Law School for fall 2027. I have a low gpa of 3.27 due to working full time almost my entire undergrad, and have been working in a law office for the last two years. I did graduate a few years ago and did take the LSAT recently and received 164. I am planning on trying again in September, as my current goal is 168+ But with my current stats I am curious on my chances. I know my gpa is not competitive at all, but with the other factors I am hoping for some mitigation. Would a 168 LSAT be enough to make up for the GPA? Or would it need to be more, or would less be okay?

I know every school is different, but generally, how often should we be communicating with the schools we are waitlisted at, given that it's now very late in the cycle?

Hi- I’m in NYC and applying to law schools this cycle. Would the 2-year JD program at Albany Law be worth the move as opposed to me staying in the city to do a regular 3-year JD program?

I’d be graduating law school at 22 instead of 23, which I get is pretty negligible, but I was debating if the stress would be worth it to save an entire year of tuition.

Any personal experience / advice about Albany Law’s 2-year program or general advice about law school would be really appreciated!

Hi all,

I am considering whether or not to write a diversity statement as a very traditional and un-diverse applicant. I am leaning towards writing one, as I feel it may be a turn-off for admissions at T50 schools that I have nothing unique about me. If I do choose to write, I have two ideas I am debating:

My first idea, which is what I am leaning towards, is to write about being the youngest child with 2 older siblings that were very successful throughout our childhood and to this day. I would write about feeling like I was in their shadow in HS, but after leaving home for college I found my own identity and self-motivation which shaped who I am today. I would obviously focus more on myself and how it impacted me positively.

My second is to write about working with a diverse group of people throughout my summer jobs in landscaping and my experience in public school. I've worked and went to school with felons, drug addicts, high-school students, and gang members, among others. I would write about a specific experience with this in context, and how it helped me see how unique perspectives and personalities can contribute positively to work environments.

I'd love your insight into what you think about these ideas, how they could be improved, things I should make sure to exclude/include, or whether or not submitting a diversity statement would even help my application.

Thanks!

Hello, I just got off the waitlist at Drexel Law, however, they gave me no scholarship. Should I consider attending there or Delaware Law School, who offers me $39k a year in scholarship? Thank

I’m 30 years old and an LMSW. I went to Fairfield University but had to transfer to a state school as my mother became mentally ill and we could no longer afford it (writing about it for my personal statement as I was kind of homeless for a bit). Had a 3.88 at FU and graduated from SCSU w a 3.97. I worked for almost two years as a journalist until deciding to go to social work school. Got my MSW at Columbia University and graduated with a 4.0. I’ve been working in legal NFPs for nearly 6 years (counting my internships). Most of my WE at these NFPs has been centered in mitigation or providing therapy to ppl on pre-trial, probation, or just re-entering. I’m not a minority. I'm retaking LSAT in September to hopefully break into 160s.

Schools I’m applying to this fall: UCONN, Quinnipiac, Northeastern, BU, Suffolk, UMaine, New Hampshire, Pace, Vermont, WNE, Syracuse, Albany, temple.

I need to get a FR or as close to one to attend law school, I know its unlikely ill receive that at schools like BU/NE/Temple

I’m on 5 different waitlist. It’s already July. I’m seeing people on lsd getting accepted off the waitlists to these schools. I’m starting to get so sad and anxious that I can’t even clear 1 out of the 5.

I’m hoping July is life changing in a positive way!

This is a follow-up to a prior post of mine. I put in at FIU and am starting to regret my decision. As predicted they appointed a MAGA Dean named Dan Epstein. He was Trump’s lawyer during the first term. I can live with that, but his letter to the search committee indicated he would only seek to hire similar conservatives and recruit students from conservative schools. Apparently he didn’t get support to be interviewed to be dean, but was appointed by the MAGA president.

I’m wondering if this will devalue my degree if I attend. The school had a good reputation, but I’m worried it’s slowly being tarnished.

I understand that every law student is overachieving, but what are some practical suggestions (e.g. study, note-taking, and exam tips and strategies) and resource recommendations for someone going into 1L who wants to do their best and always competes with their past self? Thank you!

LSAT score: 164

Edit: My post was initially much, much longer, but after reflection I realized my words were superfluous and too intimate, so I shaved it down for brevity and to get to the heart of what I intended to ask for advice on.

It seems unempathetic to the students that attend them. And it seems like it could be considered immature behavior that is not becoming of a professional. But I am unfamiliar with this behavior so I would like to know if it’s reasonable to oppose this kind of response? I read a comment from someone who was T170 and they were able to transfer to a T35, so I don’t think it’s fair to regard schools below a T100 ranking in this disrespectful and dismissive manner. Also, is there a chance I’m misunderstanding what is being said here? I’m neurodivergent, so I don’t always understand things correctly at first. If I’m reading this incorrectly, I’d appreciate a clarification so I can comprehend it better. Thank you!

hi I’m usually I silent Reddit reader BUT I don’t see a ton of reverse splitter conversation 😔 curious if anyone has similar stats to me and can give advice or experiences??? I had 3 LSAT attempts w the highest being a 163 and my undergrad gpa was a 3.92. by the time I enter 1L I’ll have 2 gap years with legal experience during that time. feeling reaaaaaaaally stressed about my stats, is it worth it to retake the test? I’m so burnt out but the admissions calculators are stressing me 😅 would love some #hopecore 🙃

Has anyone received need based grants yet? I applied a while back and never heard anything.

3.3 undergrad GPA, 160 cold diagnostic. My goal is a 170 LSAT, which feels pretty attainable.

My undergrad isn’t desirable, I totally know this and understand the importance of an addendum. Frankly, there were some extenuating factors (sibling sent to rehab, violent household.) But that doesn’t change the raw numbers.

Less than a year out of undergrad, I’m in a totally blue collar machining job. My resume is a patchwork of childcare positions, and now hard manual labor.

So, assuming I can improve my score by 10 points before applying anywhere, do I stand an actual chance anywhere? Is my current job a liability to my chance, worth trying to change jobs before applying? Do I go left field and get paralegal creds first and build a resume in that, waiting a few years before applying?

Thanks for any input.

Good morning!

I have a question. I am not 30 yet and have always wanted to go into law. That was my original plan and I even had an internship but I decided to stay in tech after graduating. Now I’m not happy with my career and regret not going the law route.

I’m not a hater but I’ve realized that I envy everyone I see graduating from law school. It makes me feel a bit sad.

Anyway, for those who are 30 and over, why are you deciding to go to law school? Do you plan on working for yourself or for someone else? What is your goal?
I’m asking because most of us have already built a career at this point.