How does it work for Canadians applying to American law schools?

[etalns]

Here in Canada we calculate our GPA based on 80-85% = 3.8, 85-90% = 3.9, 90%+ = 4.0. I know that differs from the States. I spoke to some law schools today and they said they "take into account where an individual was schooled, and the relative achievement of a student at that institution."

In terms of GPA alone (leaving the LSAT and everything else out of the picture) if I Was in the top 3% of my class (most Ivy league grad students were in the top 10% of their undergrad class) would that almost definitely satisfy my GPA requirements, even if my convereted GPA is below their average? Getting a 90%+ in most Canadian schools is unheard of, yet it's necessary to even hit a 3.67 on the LSDAS scale.

Also, jsut a note. My institution is a top notch school, it's one of the highest ranked schools in Canada (Queen's University). So it's not as if I am coming from some no name rural school.

 

[Pepsi90919]

STUPID HOUSE

 

[etalns]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
STUPID HOUSE

:heart:

 

[JS80]

law school is 90% lsat

 

[etalns]

Originally posted by: JS80
law school is 90% lsat

No it isn't.

Even so, I'm not worried about the LSAT. I'm a first year student still and on my first LSAT practice I scored a 167 cold. My concern is GPA conversion.

 

[Strk]

Your LSAT score matters a lot more than your GPA (or really anything else for that matter). I wouldn't dwell too much on your GPA as long as it is a decent figure for your school. Concern yourself with the LSAT because it means everything for law school.

 

[etalns]

Originally posted by: Strk
Your LSAT score matters a lot more than your GPA (or really anything else for that matter). I wouldn't dwell too much on your GPA as long as it is a decent figure for your school. Concern yourself with the LSAT because it means everything for law school.

That's really great to hear. I know trhey play a big role, but the 90% is an overestimation, right?

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: Qosis

Originally posted by: Strk
Your LSAT score matters a lot more than your GPA (or really anything else for that matter). I wouldn't dwell too much on your GPA as long as it is a decent figure for your school. Concern yourself with the LSAT because it means everything for law school.

That's really great to hear. I know trhey play a big role, but the 90% is an overestimation, right?

Nope. They won't look at your records if your LSAT doesn't meet the minimum. And if it does, you'll likely go to an interview if they don't outright accept you. It is a pretty screwed up system, but that's how it is.

Also, the 167, was that timed? Regardless, that is an amazing score

 

[etalns]

Originally posted by: Strk

Originally posted by: Qosis

Originally posted by: Strk
Your LSAT score matters a lot more than your GPA (or really anything else for that matter). I wouldn't dwell too much on your GPA as long as it is a decent figure for your school. Concern yourself with the LSAT because it means everything for law school.

That's really great to hear. I know trhey play a big role, but the 90% is an overestimation, right?

Nope. They won't look at your records if your LSAT doesn't meet the minimum. And if it does, you'll likely go to an interview if they don't outright accept you. It is a pretty screwed up system, but that's how it is.

Also, the 167, was that timed? Regardless, that is an amazing score

Yep, it was timed. Almost all my mistakes came from the "similar argument" analytical reasoning questions. I'm definitely not strong on those. Is there any chance you have any IM app that I can speak to you on? I have oh so many questions about law school!

 

[Strk]

I don't have an IM app, sorry

 

[etalns]

Originally posted by: Strk
I don't have an IM app, sorry

Ahh, alright.

I still have 3 years ahead of me before I apply to law schools. What would be the best course of action at this point? I have read "How to Get into Law School" by Susan Estrich, which was definitely helpful. I intend to try to do more volunteer work next year. In the summers, if I have to choose between volunteer work and employment, which should I lean towards? And is it of huge benefit to me if I try to start volunteer clubs around my school, rather than just joining them?

 

[shopbruin]

you can try this website:

www.lawschooldiscussion.com (or crap, .org, i forget.)

i'd give you www.xoxohth.com but the posts get buried quickly and there are a lot of t14 or bust people there.

 

[etalns]

Originally posted by: freesia39
you can try this website:

www.lawschooldiscussion.com (or crap, .org, i forget.)

i'd give you www.xoxohth.com but the posts get buried quickly and there are a lot of t14 or bust people there.

I read xoxohth before, it made my head hurt.

Thanks for the other link!

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

I hate to be the one to break it to you but first year means ****** all; half the people in every program are idiots that are just there to please mommy and daddy.

As an aside, while Queens is a good school I wouldn't quite say it's top notch. Top notch is UofT, UBC ( Waterloo if you're in engineering), and maybe McGill. On top of that, American Ivies are above Canadian top notch schools, obviously.

 

[UNCjigga]

Hey man, that's what my cousin Sean's doing! He's a UC grad and right now he's getting some international law degree in Belgium. But its not the same as a JD, so after he's done that and has some job experience, he wants to go to law school here. He's mentioned American University, Georgetown (he loves DC) and a bunch of other east coast law schools as his favorites. Are there no good Canadian schools?

 

[etalns]

Originally posted by: UNCjigga
Hey man, that's what my cousin Sean's doing! He's a UC grad and right now he's getting some international law degree in Belgium. But its not the same as a JD, so after he's done that and has some job experience, he wants to go to law school here. He's mentioned American University, Georgetown (he loves DC) and a bunch of other east coast law schools as his favorites. Are there no good Canadian schools?

There are two ro three good schools. University of Toronto's law school is extremely good. However, it limits my options in the event I want to practice in the States. I just want to keep every option at this point.

 

[axelfox]

I would say that you should try working in a law office before actually going to law school. For the most part, the school and the work is different, and there are things that they don't teach you in law school. There are some people who like being lawyers, and there are some people who absolutely hate it (I've read that the latest ABA survey counts 50% of current attorneys that would not have done it the 2nd time around).

I'm saying that you shouldn't do it, but rather explore what it's like before dropping the cash. Talk to those who like it and those that hate it and got out of it.

Just my 0.02.

 

[Playmaker]

Originally posted by: Qosis

Originally posted by: Strk
I don't have an IM app, sorry

Ahh, alright.

I still have 3 years ahead of me before I apply to law schools. What would be the best course of action at this point? I have read "How to Get into Law School" by Susan Estrich, which was definitely helpful. I intend to try to do more volunteer work next year. In the summers, if I have to choose between volunteer work and employment, which should I lean towards? And is it of huge benefit to me if I try to start volunteer clubs around my school, rather than just joining them?

Focus on keeping your GPA high and getting your LSAT practice scores up. A 167 practice is one thing, but if you want a shot at the T14 as a white male Canadian (guessing) you'll need to be testing well into the 170s on your practices to feel comfortable.

And practice is one thing. There are plenty of examples of major score decreases from one's practice average to the actual thing. Don't feel confident until you have the score in hand. I wouldn't feel comfortable unless my LSAT and GPA were both above the 75ths for whatever schools you target.

Volunteer work and employment are great and all, especially if they add to your personal statement or recommendations (think unique or involve professors and politicians), but the importance of the LSAT/GPA makes them comparatively irrelevant. Check out those two message boards listed above. Those posters do NOT exaggerate with regard to LSAT/GPA importance in admissions. It IS a numbers game.

Finally, a job is a job in the eyes of an adcomm unless it's incredibly unique (IBankers, Capitol Hill interns, etc. are a dime dozen at the good schools). Go for a law job that will allow you to find out if it's what you want. Job satisfaction is incredibly LOW in law for a reason. Kids go in with no prior work experience of any kind THINKING it's what they want, when it isn't.

Disclaimer: I'm an undergrad about to graduate that has done large amounts of research regarding law school. I've opted to get 1-2 years work experience before applying to make sure it's what I want, or if I want to go to b-school instead and make some real money