Law School Admission For Fall 2009

[Loordes]

Hi I am a 24 year old African American MBA student trying to figure out my chances of getting into law school. I had an undergraduate GPA of 2.76 from Xavier university of Louisiana.My Undergraduate major was Marketing. My Graduate GPA at Northern Illinois is 3.14. I graduated from Xavier in December of 2006 and have since been an assistant manager at Walgreens for nine months. I currently work as a full-time substitute teacher for the last nine months at John Marshall High School in inner city Chicago.  I am considering schools in Chicago(Kent, John Marshall,Depaul,Loyola,Northern Illinois),Houston(south Texas and Texas southern), Baton Rouge(Southern,LSU), New Orleans(Loyola, Tulane). I am preparing for the October 4th, 2008 LSAT date, by attending Kaplan courses and studying in my spare time. Unfortunately I have realized just how tough the LSAT is. My Highest score has only been a 147, but potentially I think I can score a 154 because of the scores I have shown on individual sections. It will be a matter of me being consistent on all sections. I wanted to get a 160 on the LSAT, but this goal might be really hard for me. The only positive thing is that recently my individual section scores are starting to go up on average.  I am a nervous wreck right now because I have spent time and money trying to get into law school. I want to attend law school fall of 2009 since I will be graduating from Northern Illinois may of 2009. I have many questions to ask you.Overall feedback is definitely appreciated because I am in dyer need of information, especially since I found out Law schools consider your graduate GPA as only qualitative information. I have a recommendation from my undergraduate marketing professor and my graduate finance professor. Should I get a recommendation from the head chairperson of the business department from my undergraduate institution?(will it help) Ideally what LSAT score a range you think I need to hit to get into look schools?(Ideal score for tier 1-2 schools and a ideal score for tier 3-4 schools). Will race make a difference?(Through Internet research I found out that the average African American only scores a 143 on the LSAT). I can put together a strong personal statement letter which I started working on a month ago, but will this help as well? I have a good amount of extra curricular activities. Mostly during undergrduate. I have also had a job for about 80% of the time that I have been in graduate and undergraduate combined. To what degree will they even consider this when they look at my resume and cover letter? Honestly what are my chances of getting into law school from the information I have given you?(Tier 1 and 2 schools as well as tier 3 and 4 schools).

Is there certain schools I should consider?  

[Elmir]

I will address your questions in the order you asked.

I have a recommendation from my undergraduate marketing professor and my graduate finance professor. Should I get a recommendation from the head chairperson of the business department from my undergraduate institution?(will it help)

ANSWER: The most helpful letters of recommendation are from people who know you well and speak well of your work and character. If the head chairperson of the business department your undergraduate institution meets those conditions, a letter would be helpful. However, a person's mere title rarely has much of an affect on the reader(with obvious exceptions for former presidents and high dignitaries).

Ideally what LSAT score a range you think I need to hit to get into look schools?(Ideal score for tier 1-2 schools and a ideal score for tier 3-4 schools).

ANSWER: Law schools generally publish the LSAT score range for students admitted in recent years. Each school has its own range, so I suggest you check with each school that interests you(some post this on their website).

Will race make a difference?(Through Internet research I found out that the average African American only scores a 143 on the LSAT).

ANSWER: Generally, yes. Law schools are making an effort to improve their diversity ratio.

I can put together a strong personal statement letter which I started working on a month ago, but will this help as well?

ANSWER: You will need a personal statement for your law school applications. For schools that don't exclude your application based on their score requirements, your personal statement will be important.

I have a good amount of extra curricular activities. Mostly during undergrduate. I have also had a job for about 80% of the time that I have been in graduate and undergraduate combined. To what degree will they even consider this when they look at my resume and cover letter?

ANSWER: These help. Of course, it depends on the activities, your role in those activities, and how much the admissions staff member values what you did.

Honestly what are my chances of getting into law school from the information I have given you?(Tier 1 and 2 schools as well as tier 3 and 4 schools). Is there certain schools I should consider?

ANSWER: An LSAT score of 147 is on the low end of what is accepted for tier 3 and tier 4 law schools. However, hundreds(maybe thousands) of students get admitted with a 147 or lower each year. My general advice is to focus on doing well on the LSAT. Next, identify law schools that routinely admit students with the LSAT score that you received. Then apply to a number of those law schools. I think you have a good chance at getting into law school.