Looking for honest suggestions

[operaphantom2003]

I have read a bit on law schools and rankings and such as well as trolling these boards for a little while but I need a few suggestions. I am applying for next fall and need some honest advice. I don't know what type of law I want to practice except I know I do not really want to go into big law. I really like the idea of working for the government or a non-profit. I know someone in the public defenders office that really loves his job. From the people I talk to it turns out that most of the lawyers I know are all in "public interest" law. I am not entirely sure of what that covers but I have been told it is very broad. I am an adult student with a family that is very important to me. No one in my family ever went to college until me and no one has ever made more than 22k a year. I know it sounds crazy but I would drop dead if I was offered 40k to start. I know salaries go up over time (although in 12 years in retail management I have only seen 4 raises) but I am not really going into law for the money. I read on the boards that going to a top 10 or 14 school is the only way to get a job. That's just doesn't sound right to me. What are some good schools for a hard worker (although B student) who really does want to make a difference for someone else rather than themselves? As I said I am a B student with an average lsat (I am still waiting for the results but was scoring 158-165 on the practice tests). I have 12 years in retail management and 6 years in non-profit volunteer work with the disabled.

I am open to moving anywhere that is also appropriate for a family. Any suggestions?

[bk1]

Keep taking the LSAT until you get a 170 or have used up all your retakes. Even if you don't go to a top school, you may as well set yourself up for the largest possible scholarship or best possible school you can.

[casper13]

Standard TLS answer as follows.

Get LSAT score then ask your questions. Your background and what you want to do will have very little to do with what school is best for you. Carry on strolling.