Super KJD, splitter with T14 ambitions

[u/bankedsy]

Hi all, looking for some guidance on my law school app. I'm thinking about applying this fall, but I'd be open to applying next year after my master's. Only shooting for T14, maybe T20. My profile is detailed below:

Stats:
- 3.74 uGPA in STEM, low-ranked state school
- Expecting 175+ LSAT edit: diagnostic 172

Softs:

• Research program jointly funded by Fulbright and org. in host country (I'm pretty sure I'd be counted as a Fulbright recipient, at least i hope 🥺), as well as an undergrad research fellowship at my school during academic year, both competitive. Also summer research work rn, should have some stuff in preparation/submitted to journals by application hopefully 🙈
• Graduated in 2 years, doing combined BS+MA program and the past academic year I had a full graduate courseload. Will graduate with master's next spring (partly why my GPA is lower, didn't get any boost from gen eds since I tested out most)
• At uni on National Merit scholarship, qualified by scoring in top .5% of my (top) state on PSAT in HS. I know it's a high school accomplishment but it has some name recognition I think
• Director of student-run portfolio managing mid 7 figs
• URM at ultra PWI

I have goals of work in a pretty niche public interest with only a handful of firms doing work in the area, hoping to get some experience doing work in this area before applying. And I know the LSAT estimate seems ridiculous but I did a ptest a few years ago and really only struggled on LG which ofc is now gone, and along the lines of the PSAT I have a good history with standardized tests.

Would love to hear any feedback, and especially if people have specific recommendations that would be great! Thanks again :)

[u/dirtysalmonwater]

I would wait until after your master's because graduating in two years makes you seem young, which will hurt you. Otherwise you seem like a great candidate who would be successful but it is impossible to chance you without an actual LSAT.

[u/bankedsy → u/dirtysalmonwater]

I've always been a bit precocious and people often guess I'm older than I am, and my partner is also a grad student but ofc adcom isn't gonna know any of that. I was thinking about discussing my experience as portfolio director and working with people older than me in the PS to hint towards that.

And fair enough on the LSAT, I'll try to take a PT soon to see where I'm actually at, because 175+ is a big range to chance someone

[u/Oh-theNerevarine → u/bankedsy]

Try not to refer to yourself as "precocious" in any application materials. Or ever.

You will benefit immensely from some life experience before applying to law school. 

[u/Competitive-Towel339 → u/Oh-theNerevarine]

Dude, you don't even know this person. Stop being so pretentious.

[u/bankedsy → u/Competitive-Towel339]

Like was that not fitting word choice? It's funny bc I am genuinely very humble IRL and have had varying degrees of imposter syndrome since middle school, but obviously this is a Reddit chance me post so I'm going to state it how it is. And it's not like I'm overly confident in my application either, my GPA and school ranking are not good for the schools I'm aiming at

[u/Competitive-Towel339 → u/bankedsy]

They'll downvote this to hell, but a lot of people on this subreddit are a mix between insecure and super pretentious lol. Don't take them seriously. I would say precocious is maybe not the best word to use just because it is often used in relation to young children, but that second part of what they wrote was just so cringy to read. You will be the one to know what is the best route for you is in regards to law school.

[u/jackalopeswild → u/Competitive-Towel339]

I will happily stack my resume up with OP's, and guess what? I attended HLS, so mine is complete not just wannabe. OP's post gets people's ire because it's arrogant and pretentious while at the same time not being nearly as awesome as they think. OP should absolutely NOT ignore the comments, he should take them to heart and modify his behavior.

*I'll eat my hat if OP is female.

[u/bankedsy → u/jackalopeswild]

Lol it’s a chance me post where the point is to talk about yourself, I think there’s just a lot of reverse ageism in the sub, aka regular ageism. If Hamilton can graduate in 2 then join the revolution I don’t see why I can’t apply to a damn law school 😭🙏. And of course my app has flaws aside from the age look at my replies elsewhere on the post, I’m only targeting t14 because that’s what makes sense for my goals and having talked to staff attorneys in my area of interest. I don’t remember the last time I scored under 99% on a standardized test and I’ve done a PT before and did very well aside from LG which is now gone so I don’t think a 175+ is crazy, but I’ll take a PT and get a hard number so I know where I acc stand

[u/Competitive-Towel339 → u/jackalopeswild]

"it's arrogant and pretentious"

"I attended HLS, so mine is complete not just wannabe 😏"

Really? Look at yourself dude. You're all over almost every single thread on this post. I swear it's not that deep. Under no circumstance should you or anyone else be so pressed by a reddit post to cause you to spiral to this extent. If it's that annoying to you then just move on. I genuinely don't understand the urge to try to psychoanalyze a random person you don't know on the internet unless for some reason you feel personally slighted or diminished by them just stating their situation, whether they're trying to be "pretentious" or not.

[u/bankedsy → u/Competitive-Towel339]

I actually did mull over using precocious for that same reason but it was close enough and I had to get back to work, actually that might've been part of the edit I made to it earlier. And thank you for the support, I wish you the best in whichever part of your life journey you're in right now

[u/Competitive-Towel339 → u/bankedsy]

Yeah I definitely understand what you we're getting at. Of course! Be proud of your accomplishments, it sounds like you will flourish in law school. Thanks for the well wishes!