I finished my second year of undergrad with a 2.78 gpa. I transferred to another 4-year school and finished my bachelor's degree there. At that school, I had a 3.98 gpa and according to LSAC, my cumulative gpa is 3.32 from both schools. Should I be writing an addendum to speak about my grades or am I fine since my cumulative gpa is decent for law school?

Yeah, that's right not a typo. Sorry for the long post, but allow me to explain. I have been working on my BA for almost 10 years, and have made many different career/life moves in that time. When I was younger I was very impulsive, not in a reckless sort of way, but I was pretty unafraid of making big, life-changing decisions pretty much on a dime.

So in 2009, I was in my second semester at my local community college when my girlfriend broke up with me and the financial crisis really began to hit home for my family. These two events made me really question what I was doing and what I was working towards in school, and I decided that I wanted to do some serious travelling before continuing with my degree. So I withdrew from 3 courses and got a restaurant job while finishing the other 2. In September of 2009, I registered for 3 courses to take while I was working, but ultimately decided to withdraw from these courses too and got two more jobs, so I could save more money. That's 6 W's so far.

I saved for this trip, and wound up going for a 16 months backpacking trip that lasted from 2010 to 2011. I visited 25 countries on 4 continents. I'm hoping I can somehow use this fact to spin the massive number of withdrawals I have from this part of my education.

While abroad, I applied for university and got in, with the aim of becoming an engineer. In 2011, I returned to school, took a bunch of math and science courses, and got into Engineering school; however, when I started the next semester, I realized I really didn't enjoy math and science all that much. So I withdrew from 2 of the 5 courses I was taking (calculaus and matrix algebra), finished the other three, and enrolled in a history and a poli sci course for the summer, with the aim of majoring in International Relations. We're at 8 W's now.

I was accepted into the IR program, but on starting my next year of study, I felt a lump in my throat. I went to my doctor, who referred me to a ENT specialist. While this lump turned out to be benign, it totally derailed my studies and changed my perspective on life. I found myself asking myself: if I had 1,2,3 years to live, what would I be doing? And the frank answer was, I wanted to be a bartender. While working at restaurants to save the money to travel, I'd developed this huge interest in cocktails, wine, spirirts, etc. Once I'd realized this, even after discovering I was healthy, I just knew I couldn't stay in school. I had to pursue this dream, as silly as it may be. I withdrew from all five of my courses, and started beating down the door of all the best bars in the city. That's 13 W's now.

I wound up working as a bartender for five years. At the end of my career, I had won numerous awards and managed bar programmes for some of the most decorated bars and restaurants in the country; however, the late nights and booze were getting old. I realized it was finally time for my to go back to school. In September 2017, I enrolled in two courses just to try to school out again. I enjoyed it but didn't know what I wanted to do still, so I didn't register for any courses for the next term.

Instead I went to woodworking school for 6 months. I liked it, but I realized my romantic notions of manual labour did not accord with the reality. And the pay was terrible. So in 2018, I came back to university AGAIN and decided, screw it, I'm just going to major in English, which I love. It's been amazing, I can't believe I didn't do it sooner. I have been taking just English courses for the past academic year and was just accepted into English Honours. Stupidly, I wasn't enjoying one of my profs teaching styles, and withdrew from one of my courses. That's W number 14. This was a totally avoidable W and, in light of everything else, I shouldn't have done it. Oh well.

Additional info: I am writing the September 2018 LSAT and am currently PTing in the mid-to-high 170s. I have a 4.0 GPA over all my courses, despite all the interruptions and course changes. I am close with many of my profs and will have several strong academic references. I have 2 more years of academic study left (since I opted for honours, which takes a few more credits) and am fully committed to my life path in a way I never was before. Also, there will be no more W's.

So what should I do? How much will this effect me? Will the things I did while out of school help to justify the W's I got when leaving school multiple times? How should I acknowledge the events described above?

Thank you if you took the time to read this wall of text.

I wish someone could hold my hand through this process and help me every step of the way. Does anyone tutor people on this stuff? God, help me.

Diversity statement question:

Personal statement question:

*Trigger warning (violence)-- because I'm a millennial, and it's a thing we do...

I feel like a lost puppy.

Hi everyone,

I studied abroad my first year of college (new program) and had an okay GPA (3.4). I went back to my home university and spent nearly a whole year sick with the worst bout of asthma-bronchitis I have ever had (I missed a ton of classes, choked on air, could not speak, intense fatigue, etc.). I still maintained an okay GPA (3.0-3.2--I can't remember) but I missed the deadline to withdraw from a science GE I was taking (Astronomy) and although my university does not consider P/F in their GPA calculation--I have heard that the LSAT does and that a Fail= an F. I have not officially submitted my transcripts to the LSAC but I'm guessing my overall GPA will end up being pretty low (3.26-ish).

Should I write an addendum? My first semester Senior Year GPA was a 3.5 and my second semester GPA was a 3.7--so there was definitely an upward trajectory...I just don't want to seem like I'm making excuses, but my sickness seriously messed up my year. Sometimes I would try to attend class and then have to excuse myself to have a 10 minute coughing fit outside the classroom...And I'm not even exaggerating.

Also, my major GPA was MUCH better than my cumulative GPA--is that something I should point out? I was an English Literature major with a minor in Forensics and Criminality and so all the science-y GE courses messed up my GPA. My overall GPA was a 3.36 and my major GPA was a 3.56 (this is before the LSAC calculates my GPA). Also, I went to a competitive university in California--do law schools take this into account?

Any advice is very appreciated.

Thank you.

Hello everyone,

Kind of in a tight spot. Have taken the LSAT three times thus far. Based on my most recent score I would still qualify as a reverse splitter for T14 schools. I’m trying to weigh my options of applying among the T14 this cycle vs a 4th take in July and how that might look. I underperformed my PT range by about 5 points on the June 2018 exam. Above 75th GPA wise but sitting around 25th for LSAT.

I have read various posts about the upper limit for the number of takes but I am still searching for some advice.

Not sure if most simply would simply base their position off plugging the numbers in LSN and judging off there, but I am somewhat concerned about how a fourth take would look.

Any advice is appreciated,

Thank you all

I have an aunt/uncle who graduated from a specific Law School I'm applying for. They were very accomplished at this school and have gone on to become very successful in there career. My question is it proper for this person to right me a letter of recommendation for this school, or possibly another one? If this person is happy to help is there any part they can play in helping my admissions process?

Good evening,

I have began working on my personal statement and have narrowed my decision to three topics. I cannot decide which one is most fitting and relevant. If anyone is interested in reading what I have so far and providing feedback, that would be awesome. I would be willing to exchange my work so far with other’s as well. If anyone is interested, please message me your email. Thank you so much in advance

How do I go about sending my transcripts to LSAC? I am really confused. I'm taking the LSAT in November so when would be a good time to send transcripts? Is now too early? Thanks everyone!

Do Canadian law schools (in Ontario, specifically) allow you to apply through the LSAC, or is it pretty standard that you have to apply using the OLSAS directly?

I have a question regarding LORs coming from international applicants. I did my undergrad at a university in London, United Kingdom and recently finished my Master's degree in Korea.

What concerns me is the differences in undergraduate education systems which cause difficulties for applicants like me. We only had 8-10 hours of lectures and the emphasis is put on individual coursework. One class per course taught usually by Ph.D. students/researchers every week was pretty much what I had for 'contact' with academics which makes it harder for me to get specific and strong recommendation letters from undergrad contacts. On the other hand, as I came back to Korea to do my Master's degree, I had better contacts with my professors and did projects and TA works.

So what I'm wondering is if it would be wise to ask for at least one undergrad LOR despite the fact that I did not have much contact with professors during undergrad years. I often hear that undergrad matters more than grad school experience. And there is this academic tutor (not a professor but rather a Ph.D researcher who taught a class which I got the best grade, although the grade was irrelevant to what this tutor thought of me since I only took 1 final exam at the end of the year under the UK education system) who wrote me a recommendation letter,albeit quite generic, to get into the graduate school. But I can guarantee that I'll get more specific LORs from professors whom I met during graduate school years who can comment on both my academic and work abilities since I had to study and work as an assistant for several professors.

So.... it would be great to hear some of your thoughts!

Thanks in advance.

Hi All,

I'm in a bit of a unique position. I'm wondering what the impact of my low GPA would be. I have a 2.83 undergrad GPA and a 159 on the LSAT. I also have a severe disability which can partially explain my low GPA, and depending on who you ask makes me an underrepresented minority. I'm trying to narrow down my list of schools and I'm having a hard time figuring out which schools are safety schools, which schools I'm competitive at etc. What does it look like to admissions when your GPA is well below the median but your LSAT score is above it? When your LSAT score is around the median? For what it's worth, I'm interested in a very specific area of law (health law) and I care more about a school having a good health law program than it's overall ranking and selectivity. Also, I feel as though I could've done better on the LSAT. How much of a difference do you think it would make if I took it again and maybe scored a few points higher? Any advice would be much appreciated!

Do you guys ever feel that by studying really hard for the LSAT you are "sneaking" into a school where you don't belong or don't deserve to attend? I was thinking about this last night on my drive home...

I could delay my apps, take another year to study, and achieve an elite score in order to get into a T14... But when I get there, would I be surrounded by a bunch of naturally brilliant people who achieved a 170+ with little effort? I started worrying, "how could I possibly contribute to a community of people who can achieve with minimal effort, a task that took me maximum effort?!"

This isn't something that I worry about deeply... I just thought it would make an interesting discussion since I'm sure I am not the only one who has encountered feelings of self-doubt from time to time.

Seeking insight from people who have experienced this for themselves.. If you spent a very long time mastering the LSAT and gaining admissions to a top notch school, how did you fare as a 1L? Did you find anything that surprised you about your classmates? Did you suffer from Imposter Syndrome? If so, how did you overcome?

Good afternoon,

I received my June LSAT score today. My score was 159 and my current GPA is 3.87. Here is some data about the University of Georgia's applicant pool from last year https://officialguide.lsac.org/Release/SchoolsABAData/SchoolPage/SchoolPage.aspx

I will definitively retake, but this was a positive test take for me and I am not sure how much I can improve at this point. With strong LOR's, PS, and GPA, but a mediocre LSAT, how far behind the blackball will I be of receiving acceptance to UGA if I don't improve my score?

Thank you in advance! I hope the June test treated people well. I'm so thankful for the helpful 7Sage community.

I am receiving two letters of recommendation from professors that I had during my undergrad studies. However, I wanted to know if it would be a good idea to get a professional letter of recommendation from a supervisor at my current job. I work at a very well-known police department in the country. Would it look good in addition to the two educational letters that I am also getting? The letter would be from a lieutenant. Thanks.

When is it appropriate to send a "Why School X" essay? Are there any T14 schools where one should send such an essay along with the personal statement even if it's not asked for or are they for if you get waitlisted?

Hi guys!

I've been working on my PS, and I keep wondering if I should somehow tie it into my interests in law, or just leave it be. It's so far about overcoming generational expectations on women (or lack thereof) and becoming a first generation college student/ degree holder. I kind of feel like it sets up an obvious path to higher learning and my desire for it, but doesn't quite tie into law exactly. Does it really need to? Can it just stand alone as a story about realizing obstacles and overcoming them in my pursuit of education and a better life?

Hi all:

My current average for an LR section is -8, BR -4. Is there anything in particular you've done/would advise for being stuck here? Specifically, should I try going through the LR portion of the CC again? I've thoroughly gone through it once, and skimmed through it a second time right before I started drilling Q types. Personally, I don't think fundamentals is my issue because when I'm BRing/reviewing questions I answered incorrectly, it makes sense to me where I went wrong. Just wishing I could catch those while answering the first/second time. Tips greatly appreciated!

Thank YOU in advance.

Hi y'all! I read your discussion on GRE for application but just wonder what do you all think about whether GRE or LSAT might be better for me. I majored in Biology and had a high uGPA (3.9+). People say STEM majors tend to have an advantage in GRE. What if I take both and apply with a 25th percentile LSAT for Columbia but a high GRE verbal (168-169 out of 170)?

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! Does anyone know of law schools that offer financial incentives for those that apply early decision? I know WUSTL and BU have such programs, but looking to see all of my options. Thanks!

If I don't go forward with a certain school after applying to it or don't pursue with their application, does it hurt to apply to the same school again for next year? Will they still offer scholarship if I get same or higher marks on LSAT since I had not pursued with their application and waited to apply in the next cycle?

Can someone who has experience with admissions reply!

I appreciate your help in this!

Thanks

US News and Business currently ranks GW Law 22 I believe; it’s not a t14 but is GW Law still a good law school? I’m an undergrad here and got into a masters program awarded by the law and business school

Michigan Law emailed us to say they had a higher than typical yield on their admission offers and are offering students the chance to automatically defer any scholarships for a year rather than reviewing decisions on a case by case basis.

If anyone is still riding the Michigan waitlist, this is probably bad news. If they are trying to get accepted students to defer, they probably won't be accepting many more people if any off the waitlist.

I just finished a first draft of my personal statement. Would anyone be willing to take a look and provide some feedback? I would really appreciate it. I don't mind swapping essays.

Thanks!

H

I am sorry for all the questions in this post, but will genuinely appreciate any help and advise. I have done lots of research on salaries and rankings, but it seems that they are not accurate. I graduated with my GPA at 3.6. I am hoping to go to law school in Fall 2019. I am worried that even if I get a 169 or 170 on the LSAT, it won't be enough for T14. On the other hand, many law schools including Penn Law, are now accepting the GRE. I'm worried that if I am not accepted to Penn with my GRE, then I will be behind another year. How important is Top 14? Should I be aiming to go to the highest law school in hopes of receiving more money in my career? Will my chances be better for big law because the law school ranking is higher? Are there even lawyers making 6 figures anymore? If so, how? Also, do people just take loans? My only problem is I don't want to take out 150k+ loans only to be making 50k a year. What is the most reasonable decision for now and what are my chances of truly getting into big law? Thank you for your help!