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So, I've been through this over and over again in my mind. I applied this past cycle and my choices are down to Iowa (approx. $125k in debt) or Illinois (approx. $150k in debt). However, I'm currently serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA and was just told that if the dates and whatnot can be coordinated, I can have the VISTA position at a large public university's human rights center. The pay is awful but not totally unbearable (it is AmeriCorps after all) but the work experience is great and I would get another $5k in an education grant as well as what could turn out to be some great LORs.

These are my thoughts:
1) I've taken the LSAT twice so if I would retake in October it would be for the third time. I feel that with 4 months of study I can successfully raise my score even a little bit but still.
2) I'm already on my second application cycle. Next year would be my third. I didn't matriculate anywhere so I guess I wouldn't even need to tell schools this and I'm sure this isn't totally uncommon.
3) I really want to start school again as I'm afraid that one more year out might have a negative impact but I need to do what is best for me financially and professionally which I understand.
4) I've more or less ruled out Iowa at this point because I personally like Illinois better and feel it's the more solid investment despite more money.
5) I know I want to do law (but not necessarily what kind) but I also know that I want flexibility in my life and career choices which becomes more complicated with such substantial debt.

Soooo, at this point it comes down to either attending Illinois in the fall or trying my best to get this new job sorted out and solidified. I know I need to do what's best for my future. Risk can be very foolish but equally it can pay off. The question is: do I attend Illinois or wait another year?

It sounds as if it is a 1-off, one year sort of job opportunity (correct me if I'm wrong on that).

I guess my thoughts would be these. No one knows what the heck is going to happen at OCI next fall. Everyone knew last year was going to be a bloodbath, but for my class, it could be anything from recovery to 2007 numbers to the ends of summer associateships as we know it. And the results from that will trickle down to the rest of the legal profession.

If things get going again in a positive direction, you'll be making a great decision coming to Illinois. If disaster strikes, paying $150k to go to any law school is financial suicide.

Waiting the year gives you the opportunity for a better deal, and another 12 months of Obama job reports and such to take the temperature of the legal industry and the economy generally.

On the flip side, you get no guarantee of improved admissions outcomes (I would have gotten murdered if I had reapplied) and you spend a year in neutral before you can jump into your new career.

Its a tough one.

What is your GPA and LSAT?

DerrickRose wrote:It sounds as if it is a 1-off, one year sort of job opportunity (correct me if I'm wrong on that).

Yes, it is.

DerrickRose wrote:I guess my thoughts would be these. No one knows what the heck is going to happen at OCI next fall. Everyone knew last year was going to be a bloodbath, but for my class, it could be anything from recovery to 2007 numbers to the ends of summer associateships as we know it. And the results from that will trickle down to the rest of the legal profession.

If things get going again in a positive direction, you'll be making a great decision coming to Illinois. If disaster strikes, paying $150k to go to any law school is financial suicide.

Waiting the year gives you the opportunity for a better deal, and another 12 months of Obama job reports and such to take the temperature of the legal industry and the economy generally.

On the flip side, you get no guarantee of improved admissions outcomes (I would have gotten murdered if I had reapplied) and you spend a year in neutral before you can jump into your new career.

Its a tough one.

Exactly. I'm pretty worried about the debt but that's sort of in my nature as I worry about a lot of things. Part of me thinks that staying out of school one more year might end up costing me a lot more in potential law earnings. It's hard to say though.

FuManChusco wrote:What is your GPA and LSAT?

163 and no gpa due to foreign study. My cycles have proven pretty unpredictable due to the lack of gpa. It seems schools are wary of showing me big scholarship money because I only have the one number. Even schools ranked in the 60s-80s weren't [considerably] cheaper than Iowa with their scholarships taken into consideration.

shameless bump

I would work. Retake the LSAT and go somewhere better than the schools you got into. Like Rose said, no one knows what will happen with OCI's this coming year. I am beginning to wonder if law school is even a good idea in this economy. Its one thing to compete against every law school student for internships/summer jobs its another to add to that mess the flocks of unemployed lawyers from the classes of 2009 and 2010. Personally, I think that the unemployment of those past two classes is going to have negative effects on the upcoming class in a major way. But anyway, I would wait. Work experience is only going to help you in the application process.

My only concern would be reapplying and taking the LSAT for the third time. I guess I may be leaning towards taking the job provided everything works out. Part of me feels like if this opportunity to take some more time has fallen into my lap I would be a fool not to take it.

Oddly enough, the poll shows just going to school in the lead. Hm.

I don't suppose anyone knows about applying during three different cycles?

Go to law school. The more that you procrastinate, the less likely it will become a reality. As an aside, I think that you are lucky to have been admitted to two highly ranked law schools without a GPA.

CanadianWolf wrote:Go to law school. The more that you procrastinate, the less likely it will become a reality. As an aside, I think that you are lucky to have been admitted to two highly ranked law schools without a GPA.

+1. Illinois with a 163 is verrryyyy lucky.

CanadianWolf wrote:Go to law school. The more that you procrastinate, the less likely it will become a reality. As an aside, I think that you are lucky to have been admitted to two highly ranked law schools without a GPA.

I am lucky. I don't doubt it. As far as the procrastination goes, if the financial ramifications of this decision were lessened a bit and the market weren't so iffy, going to Illinois wouldn't be such a hard choice for me. I'd be there in a heartbeat. My thinking is that I doubt I would regret taking another year off because I'm so young (I'm only 22, by the way) but I might regret spending that kind of money on an education in an uncertain economy.

Gotta take UIUC. It seems like you are really unsure if you want to do ls at all, due to this being your second cycle and you still reconsidering. Maybe you should see if that is the real reason for your hesitation?

A'nold wrote:Gotta take UIUC. It seems like you are really unsure if you want to do ls at all, due to this being your second cycle and you still reconsidering. Maybe you should see if that is the real reason for your hesitation?

I agree that it certainly seems that way but I did a lot of soul searching this past year and it is what I want to do. It is honestly just the money. I'm just worried about the economy and three years down the line staring down $150k in debt.

Screw it. I'm going to Illinois. I love the school, I'm lucky I got in, I barely have any debt from undergrad, and I want to start my career. IBR may end up being my best friend though. Let's push things forward. (!!!!!)

webbylu87 wrote:Screw it. I'm going to Illinois. I love the school, I'm lucky I got in, I barely have any debt from undergrad, and I want to start my career. IBR may end up being my best friend though. Let's push things forward. (!!!!!)

Good choice. Applying a 3rd year in a row would just be overkill and who knows if you'd do as well with no GPA even with a slightly higher LSAT. You were VERY lucky to get Illinois.

Hey, carpe diem. See you next year.

keg411 wrote:Good choice. Applying a 3rd year in a row would just be overkill and who knows if you'd do as well with no GPA even with a slightly higher LSAT. You were VERY lucky to get Illinois.

DerrickRose wrote:Hey, carpe diem. See you next year.

Thanks. Sooooo, here's to hoping the economy picks up, eh?

webbylu87 wrote: Thanks. Sooooo, here's to hoping the economy picks up, eh?

I'll drink to that. No, seriously, I will.