ThomistToBe

Thank you both for the input. On the networking question, I guess my answer is “kinda, but not really.” My two main UG profs will gladly recommend me, and they both did their graduate work at highly ranked programs. I also have another potential recommender in a peripheral area (legal theory) who has some sway and name-recognition in academia, I think. But overall it’s not like I have someone who can pick up the phone and call any of these programs saying “you need to admit this guy.”

Relevant stats: 3.7ish UG GPA (received the Philosophy Department’s top graduate award. I don’t want to overstate this, though. I went to a pretty small, largely unheard of LAC) Attended a top law school and graduated with honors. I also took some grad-level classes with the Philosophy department when I was there (the department is pretty highly ranked—think Cornell, Duke, UChicago) I never published or did any TA or RA work or anything. Also no clue how I’d do on the GRE. Would I be spinning my wheels applying applying to top programs? Is applying after already completing a JD a pro or con? Does lack of UG prestige hurt my chances?