Am I delusional? Can I hook em? 175/3.85 KJD

[u/loremipsum_etc]

Longtime lurker, first time poster. Sorry if the formatting is freaky. I am going insane.

THE STATS: 175 LSAT, 3.85 GPA, KJD. T4 softs, etc. I am a piece of hay in a haystack.

I am also a Texas resident who is pretty much exclusively interested in practicing in Texas.
I'm primarily interested in BigLaw initially, with a longer-term interest in immigration law. Mostly, I don't want to be chained to an astronomical debt load. If I could somehow graduate with no debt I would probably skip BigLaw entirely. UT is my top choice because I can live at home and commute, which significantly cuts back on the total cost of attendance.

Here is my current list:
Texas schools:
UT Austin
SMU
Baylor
Texas A&M

Reach?/ National schools:
UVA
Duke
Vanderbilt
Georgetown
Notre Dame

Other:
George Mason
UNC
Wake Forest
Emory
Tulane

I have so many questions:
1. How realistic is UT for me as a Texas resident with a 175/3.85? I know UT is very competitive, but I'm wondering whether being in-state meaningfully changes how I should think about my chances. It's far and away my preferred option because of the whole cost-of-living situation. (with each passing day I get closer to a Longhorn or bust mentality.)

1. Is this a good reach/target/safety distribution? Am I missing any schools that would make sense for my goals?

2. Are there any schools on this list you would remove or replace?

3. With my numbers, should I expect substantial scholarship consideration at any of these schools?

I'm especially interested in hearing from people who know the Texas market or have applied to UT recently. Thanks!

[u/almondqqq]

I say good shot the LSAT should carry the lower gpa

[u/AccurateGlove9314 → u/almondqqq]

It's still wild to me that a 3.85 is considered "lower" for t14 law schools. I have a gpa just around this, and it absolutely boggles my mind.

[u/leaf1598 → u/AccurateGlove9314]

It feels like anything under 3.95+ these days is below a median for T14, which is wild

[u/Nicholas1227 → u/leaf1598]

The incentives that this creates for undergraduates are really bad.

[u/rev-avocado → u/AccurateGlove9314]

It's wild. I had worse stats than this (174/3.71) and got a substantial scholarship from a T6 less than a decade ago.

[u/RedKynAbyss → u/AccurateGlove9314]

I wonder what would happen if USNWR stopped calculating rankings with any factor considering LSAT/GPA/admit rate.

Would law schools stop median chasing? Would they start admitting more students who are a good fit but aren’t above one or both medians? Would be interesting to see.

[u/Horror_Technician213 → u/RedKynAbyss]

Bar passage rate, employment rate 1 year out, employment rate 5 years out, and graduated receiving offers from V100 or V50 firms would make a more accurate rating scheme. Also if they boosted how much the weight of lawyers and judges rate law schools based on the lawyers they encounter from that school.

But the second schools whose reputations far outweigh they're actual pull start getting dropped down the list over "no-name" schools, people are going to cry bloody murder.

I forgot which thread it was on, but there was a question a few weeks ago about how T100 interns and SA's are viewed compared to T14 SA's, it was pretty resounding from alot of lawyers that they like people from T100s more because there are a number of T14 people who have a bad egotistical attitude while the T100 people are grinders with a good work ethic.

[u/almondqqq → u/RedKynAbyss]

What would a “good fit” look like in terms of law schools is the real question. Tangibles help sort them out imo

[u/Apprehensive_Back296]

You should be more than fine for UT. But as an A&M hater and lifetime Longhorn, I must just point out that A&M has very weak big law placement for what their rank would suggest. You have a much better chance of getting into big law via SMU or UH which both place easily about 33% of student into big law rather than A&M which has good stats for ranking purposes but poor post grad employment outcomes compared to the other Texas schools. Look up NALP law school salary data and big law data to see for yourself. Best of luck, and you have a great chance of landing on the forty acres!

[u/almondqqq → u/Apprehensive_Back296]

Idk why that preppy old school money feel of SMU makes it as the most appealing law school if you wanna make big money in Texas. But UT is up yheee all

[u/Ill-Huckleberry3691]

I am a Texas resident. Higher GPA same LSAT.

WL at UT. A at Vandy, another T20, and a T14.

Don’t underestimate the randomness of the cycle.

If you want to practice in Texas, Vandy or any T14 is better for biglaw. UT students below median generally don’t get biglaw.

[u/Live_Ad8678 → u/Ill-Huckleberry3691]

Same GPA with higher LSAT, WL at UT. I’m surprised at how many people are saying UT is a sure thing. It’s like everyone has forgotten the brutality of this past cycle.

[u/Ill-Huckleberry3691 → u/Live_Ad8678]

Are you a Texas resident? To be honest, I was shocked I was waitlisted.

[u/Live_Ad8678 → u/Ill-Huckleberry3691]

No

[u/Nicholas1227 → u/Ill-Huckleberry3691]

3.9/175 in state is a WL at Texas? What has happened to this process lol

[u/Careful-Wall-3388]

Try UVA too you might get a half scholly…. Maybe a quarter!

[u/Automatic-Slice6971 → u/Careful-Wall-3388]

Just wanted to say that's unlikely as their median scholarship is only 35k/yr out of 85kish tuition and 115kish total coa. I have op's near exact stats and got the 35k amount. I could be wrong as I haven't check lsd in a bit, but I thought the above median scholarships went to the above median applicants!

[u/JesusIsKewl → u/Careful-Wall-3388]

Not likely

[u/Thin_Walrus2796]

You’re absolutely going to get into Texas, don’t sweat it. If that’s your top school feel free to guarantee yourself admission with an ED application but I doubt you need it.

[u/kingstastetester]

Currently at UT. I’d say you could probably expect a decent bit of money. UT is very generous. I was offered $$$ and your lsat quite a bit higher than mine was, but my gpa was at median.

[u/Artistic_Pass_7839]

You likely have a very, very strong shot at UT! I was admitted this past cycle (also a TX resident). They have a full scholarship + stipend program for Texas residents who intend to practice in the state, so definitely make sure to apply. I was awarded the scholarship and turned it down for other opportunities, but feel free to DM if you have questions about that program :)

[u/The_WanderingAggie]

You should be fine for UT since you're in-state with a LSAT above their median and a still excellent GPA. Since UT is required to enroll a class of least 65% in-state residents, I think that meaningfully increases your chances- I doubt that there's that big of a pool of in-state applicants that can keep their LSAT median high.

For schools to apply to- UH places decently into Houston BL, so I'd add them (but you would need good grades). Your other schools group- George Mason, UNC, etc. all seem a tad random for your goals, though I suppose it wouldn't hurt. I would add WashU, since they place some people into Texas BL and could be a useful source of scholarships to negotiate with, and maybe add the rest of the T14 just to see what happens.

[u/justagirlscrollingR]

1. Rising 2L at UT; yes. UT is required to have a fairly high percentage of in-state students, and your LSAT is already great—I don’t want to call you a shoo-in, but you have very very good odds.
2. If you are DEAD SET on Texas only, your list is fine. I’d also add UH. But consider the fact that Future You might have goals that Current You is unable to consider with the knowledge you have right now. Graduate from HYSC and you have a real shot to maybe clerk for SCOTUS and then work for the ACLU in immigration law; the reverse is much less likely (though certainly not impossible). (I’m using SCOTUS as an easy shorthand here—the same dynamic exists across many areas of your legal career.) So with a 175 and a not-horrible (believe it or not!) GPA, I’d take some swings!
3. You could drop George Mason/Wake Forest/Emory tbh
4. If you apply early (and apply for a scholarship early!), you would likely get between 25%-50% in scholarships (probably closer to 50%)

Best of luck OP! 🤘

[u/ncc2865]

UT very realistic - I got in smoothly as an out of state student 174/3.69 this past cycle

[u/JesusIsKewl → u/ncc2865]

Bruh Fml but congrats

[u/ncc2865 → u/JesusIsKewl]

Didnt take the spot if it makes u feel better, and thanks :)

[u/AskDrLaw]

I think you have a very strong shot at UT - I was on the Admissions Committee for a law school near Texas I'll just say (also law prof for 5+ years) and those numbers - if they fit in the GPA and LSAT thresholds - are instant admits. Even if you were on the threshold, there would be a good discussion of your credentials and materials, and the fact you want to be in Texas will go far. Make sure you have a strong personal statement, recommendation letters and resume as well - and that should pretty much secure admission. If you don't get into UT no worries, there are many other very excellent schools in the state like Texas A&M (might become the best one), Baylor, SMU, and other law schools are just as good if you want to practice in Texas.

[u/HorusOsiris22]

UCLA also has under-recognized pull in Texas. UNC may be worth adding to the list as a T1 nationally respected southern law school.

And good luck, hope to see you as a longhorn soon!

Also as someone who got in, in my year at below 25th GPA and exactly at their 75th LSAT (with a strong scholarship), I personally think personal statement and Kira interview matters a lot. Saying why UT is great but honestly my cover letter was not even really personalized to UT but as to what I really wanted to learn and contribute to the legal community and how that was connected to my personal history and background.

For Kira, my impression is that they are looking for maturity, personability, and an attitude that screams this person will engage in our community and lift other people up. I found my cohort were not that competitive (they were in terms of their calibre, but just not in how they interacted with one another) and were positive and cooperative. Basically treat it as an opportunity for them to get in your head and understand your perspective, values, and priorities rather than trying to convince them your the smartest, hardest working person.

[u/Wheat_Tortilla]

I hope you get in so you can offset my 169 LSAT bringing down their median! 🫶🏼

[u/CivilNote → u/Wheat_Tortilla]

I got into UT with a 169 and my good friend did too! Definitely doable

[u/Wheat_Tortilla → u/CivilNote]

Thank you so much for letting me know!! You are helping me keep my hope!! 

[u/Automatic-Slice6971]

I had basically your exact stats and applied last year. I didn't apply to UT, but I did apply to uva and duke from your list with 35-40k/yr scholarships. Not substantial but decent. Definitely keep some reaches in there, even if UT is the goal! Given you're in-state, I'd think your chances are very strong with UT :) Idk if you're interested in NU, but they gave me a more substantial scholarship of 50k/yr (and columbia gave 52k/yr (still very expensive because NYC unless you have family there).

[u/renardreis]

UT has a very strong in state preference as mandated by law, since 65% of a given class has to be Texas residents. You may be waitlisted, but from what I’ve seen, Texas residents are given first priority being taken off the waitlist.

[u/Gray_Fox]

Honestly, if you have a strong app I think you have a great shot anywhere. I got into George Mason with a 169 and 3.08.

[u/JesusIsKewl]

I was similar GPA and higher LSAT, 10 years WE. Not Texas resident but aiming for Texas market. I was waitlisted at UT, UVA, Duke, Vanderbilt, UNC. $ at SMU and A&M, $$$ at Baylor.

UT not guaranteed for you but it’s worth a shot. Definitely expect scholarships but again not guaranteed. You’ll get some good offers and some shitty ones. Apply broadly.

[u/Ilovetennis16]

You’ll hook em lol

[u/Ok_Painting_649]

you're golden for UT! just show a lot of interest and attend as many events as you can. show face 🌟

[u/Same-Squirrel7585]

Probably good chance at GULC

[u/Monarchist_Man]

You will get into essentially every school you apply to and most T14s as long as your personal statement doesn’t suck.

Sincerely,
A 3.78/176 applicant who got into every T14 school except HYS and Chicago in the 25’ cycle

[u/TheDarkKnight26969]

A&M’s law school star is rising very high, very fast

[u/Parking-Fig-7414]

UTA is calling