3.5-3.6, AA male...What LSAT score do I need?

Graduate School Law School
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<p>I’m a chemical engineering major and I’m entering my junior yr. at Howard University in D.C. Realistically I’m going to finish with a 3.6 gpa. I would like to remain in D.C. for law school if possible. I plan on doing some preliminary LSAT practice soon, just to familiarize myself with the test. What LSAT should I aim for to get into (and receive $$ from): </p>

<p>Georgetown
George Washington</p>

<p>I am African American and have already interned with 2 major companies. Involved on campus, member of numerous clubs and honor societies.</p>

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<p>The highest you can get. No brainer here. So aim for 180.</p>

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</p>

<p>How is that at all helpful?</p>

<p>He’s simply asking what score range should make him competetive for a few schools.</p>

<p>To actually respond to your question:</p>

<p>Although I’m not too familiar with law school admissions, I’d say if you scored in the high 160s you’d probably get into Georgetown… For GW, I’d say mid 160s would do the trick.
So I’d aim for at least low-to-mid 160s (163+), and if you can get your score into the upper 160s (167+) you’d probably be in good shape for GTown.</p>

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<p>“I’m not too familiar with law school admissions”</p>

<p>How are you helpful?</p>

<p>“He’s simply asking what score range should make him competetive for a few schools.”</p>

<p>Moreover, that is NOT what the OP is asking. Look: “What LSAT should I aim for to get into <a href=“and%20receive%20$$%20from”>B</a>**”.</p>

<p>To the OP: to get in at the schools you mention with a 3.6 and other things considered, a marginal LSAT score might do. However, to get money you NEED to aim as high as you can (and score as high as you can).</p>

<p>Talk to the prelaw adviser at Howard, which should be a decent one; and check the GPA/LSAT grids on the LSDAS guide (which the prelaw adviser should have, and/or your career center).</p>

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<p>I’m not <em>too</em> familiar with law school admissions, but I am relatively knowledgeable in the area.</p>

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[/quote]
“He’s simply asking what score range should make him competetive for a few schools.”</p>

<p>Moreover, that is NOT what the OP is asking. Look: “What LSAT should I aim for to get into (and receive $$ from)”.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I know that he asked about money (in parentheses), but I have no idea how to answer that question, so I simply answered in terms of getting accepted.</p>

<p>Further, your post again is of little help.
How is anyone supposed to know what a “marginal LSAT” score is?
At least I helped him out and gave some actual LSAT scores/score ranges.</p>

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<p>Although the OP and others may feel that Wildflower’s response may sound a little snippy, wildflower actully makes a valid point (I actually had the same response as wildflower upon first reading the question before I read the responses).</p>

<p>One should prepare for the LSAT with the mind set of aiming for a 180 . If you do not get the 180 you can prepare a realistic list of reach, match and safety schools based on your grades and LSATscore. </p>

<p>While OP may be a black candidate, it does not mean that the pool of black candidates applying to similar schools as the OP are not trying to bring their best games to the table. He or anyone else (regardless of ethnicity) should not go in this process with the mind set of doing 'just enough" or making sure the scores “just enough” but he should always strive to do and bring his best work to the table.</p>

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<p>If that was the case (to just aim for a 180), why would the OP have even made this post?</p>

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<p>George Washington does use index #s</p>

<p>the index for George Washington is (A* lsat score)+(b*gpa)+ Constant </p>

<p>where according to the LSAC index tables (which you can get from their website) </p>

<p>George Washington University(A) 0.032 (* Lsat score) (B)0.395 (*gpa) (constant)Cum -3.446</p>

<p>If you have the Montauk book, he covers indexes and the Dean of admissions specifically speaks about using indexes. If I remember correctly, I think if OP can get an index of 3.4 may be an auto admit and will not have to go to the dean for evaluation (will look it up later to confirm statement)</p>

<p>I think if his index is above 3.4 he can get in but I don’t know if it will mean $$</p>

<p>(while law school numbers is self reported and should be taken with a grain of salt, Black men who had an index of 3.4 received $$ between 60k and 103K. The black men who received 100,000 + 1 posted a 169 amd 3.1 with 4 yerars of w/e when he applied. while the rest posted GPAs that were higher than the OPs and LSATs betwen 167 & 170)</p>

<p>to get the 3.4 index, if OP does get the 3.6 GPA he will need 170 on lsat.</p>

<p>[George</a> Washington University | LawSchoolNumbers.com](<a href=“http://www.lawschoolnumbers.com/search_schools.php?action=search&school_code=5246&lsat1=&lsat2=&fee_waiver=0&status=3&gpa_lsdas1=&gpa_lsdas2=&attending=0&cycle=5&gpa_degree1=&gpa_degree2=&withdrawn=0&program=1&index1=&index2=&state=0&application_type=0&scholarship1=&scholarship2=&sex=1&multiple_lsat=0&urm=2&international=0&x=39&y=3]George”>http://www.lawschoolnumbers.com/search_schools.php?action=search&school_code=5246&lsat1=&lsat2=&fee_waiver=0&status=3&gpa_lsdas1=&gpa_lsdas2=&attending=0&cycle=5&gpa_degree1=&gpa_degree2=&withdrawn=0&program=1&index1=&index2=&state=0&application_type=0&scholarship1=&scholarship2=&sex=1&multiple_lsat=0&urm=2&international=0&x=39&y=3)</p>

<p>Georgetown does not use index #'s and very few black men received $$</p>

<p>[Georgetown</a> University | LawSchoolNumbers.com](<a href=“http://www.lawschoolnumbers.com/search_schools.php?action=search&school_code=0007&lsat1=&lsat2=&fee_waiver=0&status=3&gpa_lsdas1=&gpa_lsdas2=&attending=0&cycle=5&gpa_degree1=&gpa_degree2=&withdrawn=0&program=1&index1=&index2=&state=0&application_type=0&scholarship1=&scholarship2=&sex=1&multiple_lsat=0&urm=2&international=0&x=27&y=10]Georgetown”>http://www.lawschoolnumbers.com/search_schools.php?action=search&school_code=0007&lsat1=&lsat2=&fee_waiver=0&status=3&gpa_lsdas1=&gpa_lsdas2=&attending=0&cycle=5&gpa_degree1=&gpa_degree2=&withdrawn=0&program=1&index1=&index2=&state=0&application_type=0&scholarship1=&scholarship2=&sex=1&multiple_lsat=0&urm=2&international=0&x=27&y=10)</p>

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<p>While it is nice to know a range you can be happy with, Wildflower is right. Aim for perfection and you might get high enough. Aim for just the right range, and you will get too low.</p>

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<p>“How is that at all helpful?”</p>

<p>Honestly kid, if you CANNOT see it, I can’t help you.</p>

<p>“How is anyone supposed to know what a “marginal LSAT” score is?”</p>

<p>Get through sophomore year, buy a dictionary, stick around this forum, talk to a prelaw adviser, and reason a little. You’ll see the light eventually.</p>

<p>“I am relatively knowledgeable in the area … but I have no idea how to answer that question.”</p>

<p>Well …</p>

<p>“At least I helped him out …” </p>

<p>According to who? Yourself? You would like to tell yourself that, wouldn’t you? I haven’t heard the OP thanking you for providing faulty information…</p>

<p>" … and gave some actual LSAT scores/score ranges."</p>

<p>Have you thought about the mere possibility that the numbers you provided are quite plausibly wrong and perhaps utterly irrelevant to the OP? What’s your source?</p>

<p>"I’d say if you scored in the … "</p>

<p>Look, I hate to break it to you this early in your college years, but someone has to. Your say/opinion is really NOT that important, nor is it even relevant to any law school admissions process. As a freshman/rising sophomore you are neither an authority in the field, nor an experienced applicant that just went through the process. So, spitting numbers out, while well-intentioned can and is likely to be misleading. If you want to have any credibility, AT LEAST provide a source for your claims/assertions. Simply because you can read information on a forum or a book and spit it back (like a parrot) DOES NOT mean you have the interpretive ability to tell others what the data means (esp. not as a Sophomore! Have you heard the word “sophomoric”? In all its splendor, You remind me of it). State the facts, provide sources, and don’t take things on an internet forum personally–ESPECIALLY if people are not even addressing you in the first place. Better prudent than to prove yourself as fool/or show your age. </p>

<p>The arrogance and sense of entitlement of some freshmen these days is awe-inspiring. That said Gen. Y is supposed to have some appealing qualities. :)</p>

<p>To the OP: I highly recommend the Montauk book (How To Get Into Top Law Schools); also, this website, while primarily targeting minorities and “diverse” candidates, is pretty good: [DeLoggio</a> Achievement Program for Law and other Professional Schools – the Best There Is!](<a href=“http://www.deloggio.com%5DDeLoggio”>http://www.deloggio.com)</p>

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<p>This seem fitting. From Vault.com:</p>

<p>"Higher LSAT Score = Lower Tuition</p>

<p>Higher LSAT Score = Lower Tuition</p>

<p>The demand for lawyers is increasing … and so is tuition to law school. The cost of one year of public law school has increased from an average of $1,792 in 1985 to $14,313 in 2007; private law schools hiked tuition from $7,385 to $32,168 in the same time period.1 As a result, the average law student can expect to graduate with as much as $80,000 in loans, according to the ABA. And according to an Am Law Daily survey of associates earlier this year, more than 16 percent owe at least $100,000.</p>

<p>Those who choose to use their JD to go into public service or work for the government feel the burden of debt most severely - some are faced with the choice of leaving their job to seek a more lucrative position in order to pay off their student loans. Others may even leave the legal profession altogether. But any lawyer not working in a large firm can face the same dilemma.</p>

<p>Avoiding Debt</p>

<p>Just as law firms are competing for the top graduates, law schools are competing to attract the top applicants. One of the key incentives law schools use to court strong applicants is to offer grants and scholarships. And one of the keys to being identified as a strong applicant is an outstanding LSAT* score. Along with a strong undergraduate record, outstanding letters of recommendation, and a compelling personal statement, a top notch LSAT score marks you as an applicant who will have options about which school you choose to attend. That puts you in the running to receive a grant.</p>

<p>While 80 percent of law students will borrow to cover at least some of their tuition and fees2, lowering your debt gives you career options after law school that some of your classmates just won?t have. Most law schools offer at least some of their incoming class full or half tuition scholarships. An outstanding LSAT score can put you in the driver’s seat when it comes to deciding where you’ll go to law school and what your financial situation may look like as you enter practice.</p>

<p>Prep smarter, score higher - guaranteed or your money back.</p>

<p>Preparation and practice can help you get the high score you need to get into your target school - and maybe even qualify you for grant aid. Visit LSAT Prep Courses & Test Prep | Kaplan Test Prep to find out how you can get the skills you need to work thoroughly, act quickly and think strategically so you can walk into Test Day feeling prepared and confident.</p>

<p>1 Source: American Bar Association Legal Education Statistics, “Law School Tuition” [PDF]
2 Source: lawjobs.com

  • LSAT is a registered trademark of the Law School Admission Council, Inc."</p>
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<p>In the 3rd edition of Montauk, page 118, (the 4th edition came out about 2 weeks ago)</p>

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<p>When I plugged in the LSAT and the GPA of African American Males admitted to GW, I see that they are based on the current GW indexes. </p>

<p>While the index formula has changed since the 3rd edition, the total index number to get admitted to George Washington has not changed. (under the old formula, OP would need a 167 & 3.6 to hit the 3.4). An index of 3.4 will get you admitted and money, so again, strive for the 180, in hopes you can get a 170.</p>

<p>I also have Montauk’s 4th edition but GW did not contribute anything about their index numbers .</p>