Expert: Bruce - 2/18/2007

Question
  Before I ask my question, I would like to state my general stats so you would have a good idea of what kind of a student I am:

88.6 GPA at a very competitive high school in NYC, 3.2 GPA at a top nationally rated art college in new york during first semester attended(A and A- in English and art history; B's and one C in studio classes). 1280 Sat score, no APs, just one SAT II-world history, which I did well on but not spectacular. I'm an asian american from a low income family. I was very active with extracurriculars in high school: school publications art crews, 2 internships, big sib volunteer work, took art classes on my own, briefly worked as TA at a tutoring center when I was 14. Occasionally worked at my parent's bakery.

So here's my dilemma: I'm an art student who wants to become a lawyer. I'm trying to transfer into a public university that's  well rated on News Report and Princeon Review but is not anywhere near UCLA or UMICH's prestige. What are my chances of getting into an elite law school like NYU when I graduate in four years? I know a 4.0 avg. at a less competitive school will be comparable or not even to a 3.5 at say, Harvard or Yale. It also has less resources to offer to its students because it's a public instition. Should I go there if I'm accepted or aim for a tier 3 private school instead? Money is an issue for me, esp. since I'm planning to attend law school at some point. If I'm not accepted at the public university of my choice I might have to consider a community college. If I end up at that community college should I get my 2 yr. degree there and transfer out into Geneseo or a private college when I have a better GPA?

Answer
Momo,

First of all, sorry for a delay in getting back to you.

It seems to me that you have some good options before you.
Your fall semester GPA should be enough to earn you some interest from the kinds of schools you are interested in. If money is a concern, then you certainly need to keep some public college's on your list, but I would not rule out some private colleges; in fact, some of the wealthier ones may be able to meet your financial need.

Keep in mind that admission is different for transfers than it is for high schoolers. There may be schools you would not have gotten into from high school (even though you were a good student) that may give you a longer look now.

I think Geneseo is a good place to start. I live in WNY and am familiar with it. Very good school. Here are a few others you may want to look at:

Elmira College
University of Rochester
Drew University (NJ)
Hamilton College
Colgate
SUNY Binghamton
Rider (NJ)
LeMoyne College

It would make sense for you to contact the transfer admission officer at each of these schools and ask him or her about admission criteria and scholarship possibilities. You'll also want to keep your grades up for spring - as who knows what kinds of possibilities might open up even over the summer.

There are also college-based scholarship programs for students of color and I would be very direct in asking about those as you make your inquiries.

My understanding is that your admission to law school will matter less on your undergrad college and more on your GPA, activities, aspirations, writing skills and LSAT score. I work at a small church-related college that lots of people have not heard of, and we have had alums in law school at
Harvard and UVA very recently, and at a host of very good next level schools.  I'd say not to get too hung up on prestige.

Will you change your major to prepare for art school? An art major combined with something else might be attractive to a law school. I'll bet not too many art majors cross their paths.

Best wishes to you!

Bruce