Law School

adpiucf · #1 06-29-2006, 09:23 PM

Did everyone get their scores today? I scored where I expected to. It isn't Harvard-worthy, but definitely my personal best.

Now comes the fun part!!!

PhiMuAmberkins · #2 06-30-2006, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adpiucf

Did everyone get their scores today? I scored where I expected to. It isn't Harvard-worthy, but definitely my personal best.

Now comes the fun part!!!

I got mine! 158...not awesome, but should definitely get into my first choice!

adpiucf · #3 06-30-2006, 10:33 AM

We're in the same boat! I saw your post on LSD

Now comes the fun stuff! I got all of my LORs and transcripts out of the way... now I'm obsessively calculating percentage points on Chiashu going over the charts on LSN. What regions are you interested in?

PhoenixAzul · #4 06-30-2006, 10:37 AM

did you guys use any prep books? Any suggested reading? I got a couple practice test books and a couple "this is what the questions really mean" type of things.

GeekyPenguin · #5 06-30-2006, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixAzul

did you guys use any prep books? Any suggested reading? I got a couple practice test books and a couple "this is what the questions really mean" type of things.

Back in the day I used LSAT 180 and "10 Real, Offical LSAT Prep Tests."

adpiucf · #6 06-30-2006, 11:15 AM

PowerScore's Logic Games Bible and Logical Reasoning Bible, Nova's Master the LSAT and the "Next 10 Actual LSAT" from LSAC, as well as ordering the 4 most recently released tests are a good place to begin.

I also recommend TestMaster's prep course. If you sign up for a prep course, know that this registration does not mean you are registered for the LSAT. You register for the LSAT with LSAC.

Work your way through the bibles and then take an actual timed practice test. Don't bother with untimed tests-- those scores will reveal nothing. The released tests only comprise 4 sections and a writing sample. On test day, you will have an extra "experimental" section on any one of the three types of sections. When you take your practice tests, always add a fifth section from another old test so you get used to this format and learn to pace yourself.

Get a timer and cut the buzzer out. Time yourself. Take a 10 minute break after the third section.

If you have friends taking it, try to take practice tests together. Don't wear ear plugs-- they aren't allowed on test day. Call the testing site and see if they'll let you use the room where your test will be administered for a practice test. Definitely drive out to the site the week before and give yourself plenty of time to get there. Bring small bills and change for parking -- you never know.

Turn off your cell phone when studying-- the library is a good place to study. Starbucks is not.

OTHER: I recommend registering with the LSDAS now -- and getting your transcrpits and LOR's in now, so once the LSAT is over, all you have left to do is start selecting schools in your range and preparing your essays, instead of stressing about professors procrastinating and your transcripts getting lost in transit. For an idea of your chances with admissions check out: lawschooldiscussion.org, lawschoolnumbers.com and chiashu.com, as well as LSAC.org. The admissions process is largely a numbers game based on your GPA and LSAT score. Soft factors like extracurrculars and recommendations will help at schools where you're on the edge or in the middle of their accepted scores. If you're a longshot, get started on curing cancer now. Studying abroad or running the sorority bake sale doesn't matter much to these adcomms because so many of the candidates boast these in their applications, so involve yourself with some meaningful leadership and commnuity service opportunities.

kddani · #7 06-30-2006, 11:20 AM

I would suggest browsing through various books and picking 2 that seem the best to you. Don't spend a ton of money preparing for it... there's no use buying a ton of stuff you won't use. Start off with 2 books, if you feel you need more, go for it.

I personally would only recommend a prep course (which is a TON of money and a TON of work) if you really have problems with standardized tests and/or have been getting pretty low scores on practice tests (low, of course, depends on what your goals were). Or if you really have discipline problems in making yourself study.

LSAT does not test specific knowledge of material (like the Bar exam would... if you guys think the LSAT test is bad, wait until the bar), so there is only so much you can learn and only so much a class can teach you.

Practice is the best thing you can do for yourself.

PhiMuAmberkins · #8 06-30-2006, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adpiucf

We're in the same boat! I saw your post on LSD

Now comes the fun stuff! I got all of my LORs and transcripts out of the way... now I'm obsessively calculating percentage points on Chiashu going over the charts on LSN. What regions are you interested in?

ME TOO! I can't stop calculating my GPA/LSAT thingy. I've got an index of 204, so I should be able to get into my #1 (and only, so I really need to get in!) University of Arkansas.

I still need to get all of my LORs and transcripts. But I have a 4 day weekend, so I'm taking a break and starting all that on Wednesday!

Where are you looking at?

adpiucf · #9 06-30-2006, 06:34 PM

Mostly T2 in NY, CA and FL And a few other large cities. I have 14 programs on the list; trying to work it down to between 8 and 12.

LSN is the devil!

KSigkid · #10 07-03-2006, 06:56 PM

Got my estimate for books for the semester - I wonder if they'll just accept blood? I'll barter food or something...

kddani · #11 07-03-2006, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Got my estimate for books for the semester - I wonder if they'll just accept blood? I'll barter food or something...

Tips for saving money:
Buy whatever you can used, online. If you know your books by now, you have plenty of time to order them before the semester begins. You can get great deals on amazon and half.com.

Statutory supplements are pretty much a waste of money. Exceptions would be the Federal Tax Code and the UCC, because there is just so much you will use (still sucks though). For other textbooks, you can just print out the relevant statutes for free from Lexis or Westlaw.

Munchkin03 · #12 07-04-2006, 06:40 PM

Who decides what law school is top tier, second tier, etc?

hayden83 · #13 10-21-2006, 03:44 AM

Hey folks, I'm just finishing up my undergrad and am considering applying to a couple of American law schools, just for fun, even though I'm Canadian and really am not that motivated to work in the US. I haven't written the LSAT yet, but I'm wondering, do you folks consider 3.7 a strong GPA? Assuming I don't totally drop the ball this semester, I should finish with 3.7 over my last two years, and 3.6 overall.

als463 · #14 03-18-2008, 01:45 PM

If most places say they usually take up to 3 recs., would it be in bad taste to have one from 5 different sources?

The reason I ask this is because I considered having one from my Undergraduate Professor (History), One from my Graduate Professor (School Law), One from my 1SG (military), One from my present employer (Juvenile Delinquent Boot Camp) and possibly one from my Alumnae Chapter President (sorority-personal). I wanted to give the school my top recommendations and let them know that I really want to go there-so, I figured by giving them 5 from 5 people who know me-that would be good. Any thoughts?

Also, What if you are moving to a different state and your fiancee is going to a big Ivy League University so, you consider the law schools around there and you find one you fall in love with because it offers the kind of law you want and the joint degree in Social Work (MSW) but, it's a 3rd tier...would you not bother applying because it's not a top tier?

People always ask me why I don't consider going to law school at my Undergraduate institution and I tell them it's because they don't offer all the programs I want-which is true. Penn State does not offer an MSW in Social Work. So, is it bad to choose a 3rd tier because of where you will be living and because you LOVE their programs or should you say to hell with it and just apply to mainly top tier schools?

Oh-I want to either work with the FBI as an Attorney working against sex crimes (possibly even with Homeland Security) or as a Guardian Ad Litem for Agencies such as Children & Youth. Any suggestions?

skylark · #15 03-18-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by als463

If most places say they usually take up to 3 recs., would it be in bad taste to have one from 5 different sources?

The reason I ask this is because I considered having one from my Undergraduate Professor (History), One from my Graduate Professor (School Law), One from my 1SG (military), One from my present employer (Juvenile Delinquent Boot Camp) and possibly one from my Alumnae Chapter President (sorority-personal). I wanted to give the school my top recommendations and let them know that I really want to go there-so, I figured by giving them 5 from 5 people who know me-that would be good. Any thoughts?

Part of applying to law school is following directions. If they say "up to 3 recs" then do just that. If you have any doubts, call the admissions offices to double check that it is "up to" and not "at least." Of the ones you described, I'd eliminate the sorority one (unless the school specifically stated that they wanted a personal reference letter) and would pick either your undergraduate or graduate professor. One professor rec, military, then present employer, is sufficiently diverse for law school admissions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by als463

Also, What if you are moving to a different state and your fiancee is going to a big Ivy League University so, you consider the law schools around there and you find one you fall in love with because it offers the kind of law you want and the joint degree in Social Work (MSW) but, it's a 3rd tier...would you not bother applying because it's not a top tier?

People always ask me why I don't consider going to law school at my Undergraduate institution and I tell them it's because they don't offer all the programs I want-which is true. Penn State does not offer an MSW in Social Work. So, is it bad to choose a 3rd tier because of where you will be living and because you LOVE their programs or should you say to hell with it and just apply to mainly top tier schools?

Oh-I want to either work with the FBI as an Attorney working against sex crimes (possibly even with Homeland Security) or as a Guardian Ad Litem for Agencies such as Children & Youth. Any suggestions?

Okay, if there is any chance that you will not be practicing for your first 5 years in the same region as the TTT school, then I would in almost all cases choose the higher tiered school. If you are 100% sure on your career goals, great. Most people change their mind at least slightly when they are at law school and if you don't have strong ties to your region, you may find yourself regretting a choice to attend a TTT school. The major draws are that unless you are graduating in the top 20% of a tier three school, it is extremely hard to find a good job, and you pretty much have to count on your own connections and resources formed through externships or other experiences. Before considering a TTT school, I'd call up their career services and ask for percentages of how many of their graduates end up in positions similar to those that you want to be in.

In very limited circumstances, TTT schools can be an advantage over other higher-ranked schools. IF the TTT school has a really stellar alum base in the area you definitely know you want to practice in and IF you are able to get your education significantly cheaper and IF that school has a good track record in getting their students into jobs like the one you want... then I'd say go for it.

Under any other circumstances, though... you're going to get better opportunities going to a first tier school over a second tier, second tier over third, etc. I wouldn't give too much more credit if School A is ranked #43 and School B is ranked #58... but if you are talking #30 versus #142, I think you need a better reason than a "joint degree program" to make that choice. Joint degree programs are one way to get the diverse education you want and you should definitely ask the schools without those programs what other opportunities they might have that would be comparable to such a degree (clinical programs, pro bono program opportunities, externship programs, etc.)