How do I improve my chances of getting into a competitive law school?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Hi guys! I’m a senior at Oklahoma State University. I am so excited to graduate in spring 2021 and get back to my home state, Texas! I’m a political science major with minors in Russian Language, Central Asia, and Economics. Since I was in middle school, I dreamed of going to UT and living in Austin. When I got to high school I was intimidated by the intelligence of my peers and instead of working harder when I got discouraged I let myself lurk in that comfortable averageness.

My ultimate goal is to be a Diplomat, but after studying so much economics and law I’ve honestly fallen in love with university. I want to spend this time enriching myself, and I want to do it at UT. But I know I’m going to a major booster in credentials to get anywhere.

BA Political Science

  • 3.8 GPA, Honors College
  • Wentz Community Council Senator, RHA executive funds committee
  • History Club Advisory Board
  • Research Assistant 2 yrs Political Science
  • Indiana University Critical Language Program, Russian level 3 (currently)
  • English tutor for local Russian woman

OK, now imagine if it looked like this

BA Political Science

  • 3.8 GPA, Honors College
  • Wentz Community Council Senator, RHA executive funds committee
  • History Club Advisory Board
  • Research Assistant 2 yrs Political Science
  • Indiana University Critical Language Program, Russian level 3 (currently)
  • English tutor for local Russian woman
  • Founder Vegan/Animal Rights Alliance club OSU
  • Founder Russian Club (we’ve been trying to get this started forever)
  • Wentz Research award (they fund your study)
  • Student Council member
  • Choir

I know that’s so much more in just one year, but if I could pull that off with slightly above average scores on the LSAT (for UT standards) how would I be looking? Be honest!!

Thank you:)

2

I think you’re odds are great.
https://lawschooli.com/what-lsat-score-do-you-need-for-university-of-texas-austin-school-of-law/#:~:text=To%20be%20a%20strongly%20competitive,GPA%20in%20the%203.7%2B%20range.&text=From%20this%2C%20it%20is%20clear,role%20in%20determining%20admissions%20outcomes.

3

UT is a hard school to get into if you’re out of state. If you want to practice law in Texas, Baylor is a good alternative because there’s no preference for Texas residents, and Waco is 1.5 hrs from Austin. A lot of Austin firms recruit from there.

4

@KayleeJH: Without an actual LSAT score, it is not possible to assess your odds of admission to the Univ. of Texas at Austin School of Law.

Your time would be better spent prepping for the LSAT than engaging in some senior year ECs designed to impress law school admissions officers.

5

None of that extra will matter. What UT will focus on is your GPA and your LSAT score. The rest is nice-to-have. (law school admissions is very different that selective undergrads)

Then I would raise your sights. The vast majority of the T14 would be better for your "ultimate goal.’ For diplomat, the higher the better, i.e., Harvard law.

Take the LSAT after graduation. Prep like crazy and aim for a 173. Even if you fall short of 173, a high score could mean a full tuition scholly to a school like UT.

6

OP: If you want to “be a diplomat”, then you need to prepare for the Foreign Service Officer’s Exam.

Not sure how relevant attending law school is to becoming a “Diplomat”.

OP wrote: “My unltimate goal is to be a Diplomat.” I suspect that your use of the term “diplomat” means “foreign service officer” and not “Ambassador.”

7

Hi! I know I need to prep for the FSO exam. And yes, I said diplomat, not ambassador. (Interesting fact, there’s never been a female ambassador from the US to Russia! Lame).

I know I don’t need to go to law school, I also know I didn’t even have to get a BA. You don’t need anything other than a GED to be an FSO… Having higher education and critical thinking and analytical skills certainly doesn’t hurt, though.

8

Thank you so much! I was completely unaware that those things hardly mattered. I’ll give it my best shot.

9

OP: If you want a career as a foreign service officer consider getting a masters degree in IR or a related field .

It is not a wise investment of time or money to spend three years in law school in light of your career goals.

P.S. I have read through your prior threads & posts. I encourage you to research law schools & whether that is the best path to your desired career.

10

Your grades are solid, so your sole focus right now should be getting the best possible score on the LSAT. Good luck.