LSAT

Hi im a 3rd year student at a really good canadian university. I'm taking the LSAT in june and im very concerned about getting into law school. My CGPA is above average, but below an A-. During a simulation LSAT without practice i got in the 80th percentile.
Honestly I'm freaking about not getting in to law schools. Can anyone offer some sense of what kind of GPA/LSAT you need. obviously i've looked into law school websites, but nothing is concrete. Is more emphasis placed on your final years etc.?

[triny]

It really depends on whether you are aiming for a top tier law school. What law schools / law departments are you considering?

well yes, i suppose. My top choices are NYU/Columbia or Stanford. However, realistically in Canada my first choice is UBC.
My concern is, though, that based on my research, i don't see a lot of differential between the admissions for the best law schools and the others. I have gotten the idea in my head that it will be all or nothing.

well yes, i suppose. My top choices are NYU/Columbia or Stanford. However, realistically in Canada my first choice is UBC.
My concern is, though, that based on my research, i don't see a lot of differential between the admissions for the best law schools and the others. I have gotten the idea in my head that it will be all or nothing.

[Robbs]

There are a few websites you should check out to get a better sense of your strength as a candidate.

First, look at the usnews.com rankings to get a range of admitted students averages.

second, go to LSAC.org and click 'Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools'. Then click on 'LSAC Data Search', then 'return to search page'. Enter in your GPA and your LSAT score and search. The results will show you what percentage of students with your scores were accepted at each school the previous year. Really good resource.

Schools rely primarily on the UGPA/LSAT Matrix (examples of which can be found at UMD Law and Boston College Law's website) for admissions, but also factor in teacher recommendations, your personal essay, undergraduate institution, course work, work experience, race, socioeconomic background etc.

Hope this helps!

[Robbs]

There are a few websites you should check out to get a better sense of your strength as a candidate.

First, look at the usnews.com rankings to get a range of admitted students averages.

second, go to LSAC.org and click 'Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools'. Then click on 'LSAC Data Search', then 'return to search page'. Enter in your GPA and your LSAT score and search. The results will show you what percentage of students with your scores were accepted at each school the previous year. Really good resource.

Schools rely primarily on the UGPA/LSAT Matrix (examples of which can be found at UMD Law and Boston College Law's website) for admissions, but also factor in teacher recommendations, your personal essay, undergraduate institution, course work, work experience, race, socioeconomic background etc.

Hope this helps!

[triny]

i think there is a difference between what the top schools will let in and what the lower ranking schools will let in. They will all have the same minimum requirements, no doubt. Nevertheless, the top students will go to the top schools and the lower tier law schools will admit the great (but not as *top*) students. The difficult thing is trying to determine where you stand. Unfortunately, it's not easy to tell and it depends on the application pool year to year. You might be strong compared to the applicants one year. Another year the applicant pool might be extremely strong, however, and comparatively you don't make the cut. All you can do, I believe, is to apply to your dream schools but also some back-ups (lower tier).

[chat]

Just try to relax and do well on the LSAT and on your courses this semester. THEN, think about what schools you can get into.

[Joe]

There are web sites, which offer quality LSAT prepration. Check them. They will really help you.