Chance me for UofT and Osgoode: LSAT 171, cGPA on OLSAS is 3.65 and B3 is 3.71

[AAthrowaway]

I'm completely unsure of my chances, especially since I have a complicated case sort of. GPA was thrown off by losing family members at the end of first year and half way through second year. But my GPA the last two semesters were a 3.9 and 3.72 respectively, and I've got decent softs (highlights are: starting a business; general volunteer work at Mosque; coming up with, planning, and executing a charity drive to help refugees during Ramadan through my Mosque). I also wrote the Jan LSAT for the first time and got a 171.

I appreciate any feedback, thanks!

Edited February 11 by AAthrowaway

[Dnian]

IMHO you have a decent chance at Osgoode due to their holistic process and your high LSAT. The conventional wisdom is that candidates are usually a fairly "safe" admit to Osgoode as long as you have a 3.7+ GPA and a 160+ LSAT.

However, U of T is probably unlikely.  You are just barely in the top quartile for your LSAT score (their third quartile was 170), but well below the 25th quartile for your GPA, given that their first quartile is a 3.85. I think you'd be at the very bottom of their GPA distribution if you successfully got in. 

In my experience, U of T tends to more highly value GPA "splitters" than vice versa: that is, candidates with a top quartile 3.95+ GPA and a somewhat lower quartile LSAT. Those types of splitters regularly get in on the first day of calls, perhaps because U of T wants to hoard the "perfect GPA -> law school" pipeline.

I would suggest taking the LSAT again to get a closer to perfect score, but even that would not guarantee U of T; I think you'd be a toss-up even with a score in the high 170s. I think you should strive for Osgoode as the most likely possibility and then be pleasantly surprised if you get in at U of T.

[chaboywb]

Almost certainly in at Osgoode, solid chance at UofT. Not sure why you'd write the LSAT again unless you somehow don't get in to Osgoode this year.

[MyWifesBoyfriend]

2 hours ago, Dnian said:

I would suggest taking the LSAT again to get a closer to perfect score, but even that would not guarantee U of T

It's a 171. Assuming OP has already studied hard, is this really a fair ask? A 171 is the 97th percentile. It's exceedingly difficult to do better after this point. Besides, going above a 171 for U of T alone wouldn't make sense for me. Osgoode is also an excellent school and places very well in big law and clerkships.* The only other factor U of T might have over Osgoode is "prestige" (depending on who you ask), and if that's the goal, then just take your 171+ LSAT score and go to a T-14. 

 

*I am using this generic metric, but if OP is interested in other opportunities, then the whole U of T versus Osgoode debate is a non-issue. I'd urge the latter. 

Edited February 11 by MyWifesBoyfriend

[Cicero31]

Take a look at the U of T accepted thread for last year and the rejected thread, and you will get an idea of what is most likely for you 

[Dnian]

On 2/11/2025 at 1:58 PM, MyWifesBoyfriend said:

It's a 171. Assuming OP has already studied hard, is this really a fair ask? A 171 is the 97th percentile. It's exceedingly difficult to do better after this point. Besides, going above a 171 for U of T alone wouldn't make sense for me. Osgoode is also an excellent school and places very well in big law and clerkships.* The only other factor U of T might have over Osgoode is "prestige" (depending on who you ask), and if that's the goal, then just take your 171+ LSAT score and go to a T-14. 

 

*I am using this generic metric, but if OP is interested in other opportunities, then the whole U of T versus Osgoode debate is a non-issue. I'd urge the latter. 

Agreed, completely. In most cases, I always urge candidates who are "toss-ups" to retake the LSAT for a better score. But in OP's case, I don't think that it's a wise idea, because as I said, even if they somehow managed to do better despite it being exceedingly difficult, it probably won't be determinative. 

[SNAILS]

I think you are in fine shape. 90% likely to be admitted at Oz and 50% at U of T.