Pretty non-traditional student but I just feel very intimidated looking at all of the admissions communities (reddit, tiktok, here) with people posting doom and gloom about their 3.7s and 170+s.
I graduated from the US Military Academy (West Point) back in 2020 and have spent the past 6 years and change in the army including a combat deployment to Iraq. I'm really hoping that this non-traditional experience will help me out and get me into some solid schools.
I've been really trying to focus on what I can control, my personal essay, my resume, etc. I've finished my personal statement (I think its lowkey a banger but it might just be your run-of-the-mill army guy essay ngl). Currently looking at applying to schools in the 40-100+ ranking with my absolute number 1 being Oklahoma.
Am I cooked?
9 comments
You're not cooked at all! Law school online communities tend to become echo chambers of anxiety. Your average dean typically doesn't want to fill an entire class with 3.9/173s (no disrespect at all meant to 3.9/173s!). You've got a narrative that serves you regardless of your numbers.
Nah u got this chief
Nothing is impossible for you Charlie Hustle!
@AngelEyes
As long as you commit to being yourself in your essays and embracing your different experience, you'll stand out to the right people. You have the right mindset to just control what you can control, which is the best you can do. Ignore Reddit doomers and best of luck on your journey!
lawdaddy420
@lawdaddy420 true
I read somewhere military experience is worth 4-5 lsat points and 4-5 gpa pts. You'll be fine. Honestly apply everywhere because former military personnel cycles are a bit more unpredictable.
I'll also throw something out there for you - this is a good example of how there's context behind the seemingly black-and-white number of your LSAC GPA. In your case, a 2.6 is going to be below the medians everywhere. However, admissions officers also know from experience that GPAs tend to be lower out of West Point grads (whether it's grade deflation, taking 18 credit hours a semester, mandatory PT, etc etc etc - take your pick!). So, yes, it's a low GPA ... but there's some further context there that will mean that the admissions officers are going to view it a smidge more kindly than a 2.6 from another school.