Self-study
I've been listening to the 7Sage admissions podcast and panicking. I was wondering if I could get a second opinion on my chances of getting into Penn State Dickinson Law? Preferably from @JacobBaska :), but I'll take ANYTHING!
I am a junior at Penn State, studying Human Dev. & Family Science, minor in Social Justice. 3.92 GPA, 1500+ hours of volunteer work, have worked 30 hours a week through college, involved with SGA as a chair, and involved with THON (largest student-run philanthropy in the nation) as a chair as well.
However, I was placed on academic probation at a community college when I dual enrolled. I had a 1.9 GPA due to me taking 15 hours of straight sciences. Being homeschooled, I had no clue how bad testing effected me. I thought it was my study habits. I sought help, found a therapist, and have many coping strategies now. However, I did not meet SAP even after being diagnosed with panic disorder and severe OCD. I hope to write an addendum.
I have obviously well recovered since then, but I completely forgot the LSAC could see the mistakes I made at 13 years old. Yes, I was 13 in dual enrollment. I am 16 now. I've got LSAT age waivers and accommodations to help me take the test in June 2026. I would be 17 when I start law school next year.
As far as the LSAT goes, my first diagnostic score was 139 on March 10th. As of today, my PT is averaging 150. 11 pt increase in a month isn't awful, but I have less than 2 months to go. I'm aiming for a 165, in hopes that I at least make a 155 (median admittance score). Is that increase possible? If not, will I be able to get in, even with my awful past issues?
I've heard they give priority to PSU undergrads, so maybe that will be in my favor? My personal statement also covers why it's my dream school. I want to use my JD to open a non-profit benefitting children and families of color in poverty in Philadelphia and Penn State Law has so many awesome clinics. They also founded an anti-racist institute. I feel like I am a perfect fit and I would give my firstborn child to get in.
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8 comments
I honestly think the biggest issue with your app will be your age. Law schools have increasingly sought to get candidates with work experience, both for the diversity these experiences can bring and as a measure of maturity.
A lot of places are already reluctant to take kjds who have graduated at a normal age. I’m not sure they’ll want to take someone who won’t even be a legal adult
@TRenato I have an internship in a DA's office in a judicial circuit in my hometown and I start a job this fall with the Southern Poverty Law Center. Really hoping this will give me a bit of the experience they want? I know my age is my downfall. Law schools want different perspectives in the classroom, so in my opinion, why wouldn't they want someone who's gone an untraditional route? I really am terrified of that though.
@pennstater44 I mean, when they say they want different perspectives, they usually mean underrepresented groups or people with different kinds of work experiences who aren’t cookie cutter law applicants. Being as young as you are, they’re primarily going to wonder how well you’ll fit in with peers who are going to be half a decade older than you.
I really think you should wait a few years, to be honest. I get that may not be viable, but ya know.
@TRenato I totally see why they would. I guess to my family and I, it's pretty normal to us by now. So many people in undergrad didn't even know I was 14, 15, etc. That does make sense, thanks!
@pennstater44 - Thanks for the question and I hope I can help!
So, first things first, you won't have a 3.92 GPA when I consider your app. You may have a 3.92 at Penn State, but all the credits taken towards your first BA count towards your "LSAC GPA" (ie, the GPA that I have to factor into my medians as an admissions officer). And given your community college work, that's going to drag down your LSAC GPA a bit.
But moving past that, that's a pretty common issue to see among applicants. It's not odd to see someone struggle with dual enrollment classes when they were in high school and then succeed when they were in a traditional undergrad setting. Seeing those low marks from community college won't be the be-all-end-all of your file.
And now let me just throw something out there to you and please don't take this personally (which I know is always a great thing to say before you write something that someone may take critically!). People make bad mistakes at age 13 all the time. I read character and fitness explanations from applicants all the time that explain a poor decision that they made when they were a teen, but now they're 25, so the mistake is long in the past, and look at all they've accomplished since then, etc etc etc. In your case, "the mistakes I made when I was 13" were only three years ago. That's not that far in the past. Additionally, you're going to be submitting applications versus other folks with significant amounts of work and personal experience. The experiences that they will bring with them to the classroom conversation will be invaluable. So here's the "let me throw something to you" part. You've accelerated your education to the point where you're graduating with a BA at age 17. That's a great accomplishment, especially given the amount of work and volunteer service that you've done. You've effectively purchased five years of your life. The question is now "how best to spend that time?" You can try to apply to law school at age 17. Or you could go work for three years in a legal setting (thus improving your app), apply to law school at age 20, and still graduate when you're just 23 (two years younger than the majority of law school grads). My point is, there's no rush here. That's especially true if you're finding that your LSAT score isn't improving as much as you'd like. You have time on your side! So don't feel like you have to rush it!
@JacobBaska I appreciate a thorough response. Unfortunately, I am applying to this program because if I get in, it will be fully paid for, along with my PhD. I can't afford graduate school otherwise. Outside of this scenario, I would be totally open to the idea. I'm sure it will all work out the way it's meant to be, whether I get accepted or not. Thank you for your answer and it definitely leaves me with things to think about!
Admissions officers hate this one trick.
But for real though, I would think if you have a 3.92 currently, you shouldn't worry about the academic failings at 13yo. If anything it shows you were able to experience a failure and solve the issue quite completely. I'd say focus on your LSAT score, get it as good as your GPA, and you should have as good a shot as anyone else.
And all else aside your non-academic reasons for this particular school will be a strong factor in your favor.
@danjpeach96 Oh I know better than to write that on my PS, but I'm TERRIFIED I won't get in.