Married with children Forum

[rbrown0824]

Hello All,

I'm a 26 yr old male with a wife and three children (6yrs 3yrs, 1yr) living in Ohio. I don't want to necessarily limit my law school options by only considering schools in my area, but the fact that I have a family to support ways heavily in my decision-making process. I'm wondering if anyone has any advice/experience on choosing a law school based on my circumstances. Thanks

[nygrrrl]

Are you planning to attend school full time, or continue working and enroll in a part time program?

[PDX4343]

What are your stats?

[rbrown0824]

Going to school full-time. UGPA: 4.0; LSAT: TBD, (hoping for 170+ but then again, isn't everyone lol)...also URM if that matters.

[PDX4343]

NICE.

If you can get a 170 or higher you're practically guaranteed to get a full ride to a great school. Just knock the LSAT out of the park and you will go to law school for free.


ETA: What kind of URM are you?

[NYSprague]

You need to go to the best school for the best price that will help.you reach your goals. Any idea what kind of law you are interested in attending?

I would prepare to move out of Ohio if I were you.

[rbrown0824]

ETA: What kind of URM are you?

AA.

Any idea what kind of law you are interested in attending?

My heart is in criminal law...namely public defense, or juvenile representation.

[NYSprague]

ETA: What kind of URM are you?

AA.

Any idea what kind of law you are interested in attending?

My heart is in criminal law...namely public defense, or juvenile representation.

So public interest? You are in luck a lot of smart people here do that work. Post when you get your score. Good luck!

[Nova]

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 4&t=206150

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 4&t=185372

[PDX4343]

Yeah man / women. You should be set to go to a great school with a substantial scholarship if you do well.

[rbrown0824]

thanks!! I appreciate your input and well-wishes

[homestyle28]

I had a 1 y.o. when I started law school and a second one during my 2L summer. My wife works which is obviously a huge factor financially, provides for good insurance, etc. There are a lot of different factors in deciding to attend law school and which school to attend when you have kids. For instance, 1L is intense and you'll be incredibly busy, so maybe a school near extended family would be a consideration. With your stats (assuming 170+ LSAT) you'll get into nearly all the t-14. If you're set on PI (fwiw most people are set on PI before law school, then things change) probably think about the school with either the best scholarship or best LRAP. A school like NU, that has a traditionally older crowd may make it easier on your wife because she may be able to fins other spouses/moms to connect with.

PM me if you have more specific questions. Incidentally, I'm from Ohio as well.

[BVest]

FWIW, the school-offered insurance plan is both the best and least expensive coverage my spouse and I have had access to in the last decade. Major health issues during LS have resulted in school more than paying for itself already just in medical coverage alone.

[jbagelboy]

Thought this would be about Al Bundy & the early 90's comedy. Somewhat disappointed .

[delusional]

Going to school full-time. UGPA: 4.0; LSAT: TBD, (hoping for 170+ but then again, isn't everyone lol)...also URM if that matters.

Get 170+, enjoy Harvard with full need-based aid bec. of kids. If you go before 28 yrs. old tho, your parents' income will count a bit in aid assessment.

[twenty]

Shit bro, anything close to a 170 + an 4.0 GPA + AA URM and I'd be very surprised if you didn't get a full ride at a T14. To answer your question, yes, you should very seriously consider relocating your family if/when you get a deal like that.

Incidentally, if you need to build up savings for a year, your LSAT score will be good for five and your GPA will be good indefinitely. There is no rush if you don't feel comfortable living exclusively on loans + your wife's salary if that's what it comes down to.

[Clyde Frog]

Hello All,

I'm a 26 yr old male with a wife and three children (6yrs 3yrs, 1yr) living in Ohio. I don't want to necessarily limit my law school options by only considering schools in my area, but the fact that I have a family to support ways heavily in my decision-making process. I'm wondering if anyone has any advice/experience on choosing a law school based on my circumstances. Thanks

Edit

[TheSpanishMain]

If you hit 170, yeah, you'll be looking at full rides at some T14s, which would be worth relocating for. Good luck!

[Clyde Frog]

Hello community, I'm wondering if anyone can provide me with any advice regarding law school admissions given my current situation. I intend on applying for law school either this year or next (depending on whether the class that I need for graduation will be offered in the spring or not), but I have a semi-extensive criminal record to overcome. As far as academics, I've consistently been pretty solid although I've been to about 4 different universities (including a community college). I have 3-3.5's and 4-4.0's. My current UGPA is a 4.0. However, I have approximately 7 criminal convictions from 2007-2012 (possession of marijuana x2, unauthorized use of property, receiving stolen property (felony), criminal trespassing, falsification, obstruction). Sadly, these are only the incidents that I was convicted of. Some of these convictions were a part of plea deals where other charges were dropped. If I have to report those as well then my C&F section will become even longer. All of these instances were a product of a drug addiction that I battled for six years. I have now been clean for two. I am currently volunteering with a few organizations to try and demonstrate a pattern of improved behavior. I also did done some volunteer work and had some internships at a couple law firms - even while in active addiction. I haven't taken the LSAT yet (September 2014), but my academic record is pretty solid aside from W's (4-5 when I was suspended from school due to the unauthorized use,;2 because I dropped classes after the due dates; 4 because I dropped out when my first son was born). I also had an issue with a brief stint at a University that I literally attended for like a month because I was arrested and consequently missed everything (midterms finals, etc.) because I was incarcerated; I came out with a 0.34 from that school. I'm wondering, considering all this information, what are my chances at law school and how might I best present my case for admission. Thanks

This is from an old post from you. You need to calculate your gpa from all of your schools. If you had a 0.34 for one semester, and it was a standard 15 credit term, then even if you finished out with straight A's for the next four years (120 credits) you would only have a 3.59 gpa. With the 3.5 gpa for three semesters it's most likely in the 3.4 range. Also, you need to check into your criminal convictions, because that's kind of a big deal, especially convictions related to dishonesty (falsification). In addition, they aren't just a one time thing, as they span from 2007-2012.

[rbrown0824]

Ok

[Clyde Frog]

When I said UGPA, I meant at my current institution. I plan on writing an addendum for that 0.34 because I never even attended class for more than a month before I had to leave campus. As far as criminal convictions, I have substantial proof that all of the trouble I was in resulted from a documented drug additction. I have documented proof of my rehabilitation and a history of service and volunteer work since my convictions. Not to mention the fact that two of my LOR's are written from individuals who I had personally wronged in my past, that are speaking about my transformation. I have a few other things that are distinctly unique about me which would indicate the fact that I have overcome numerous obstacles to be sitting where I am. I also have some excellent softs from some summers that I spent in a leadership program for scholars in D.C. I'm confident thar my application will look strong and will be a breathe of fresh air for someone reading 500 per day. My convictions may hinder me, but I'm guessing they won't. Either way, I'll won't end up a jealous sap trolling forums looking to dig up dirt on individuals with nice numbers. FYI: my falsification charge stemmed from when I gave an officer the wrong name when I was high!! Lol

Nice numbers? You have a gpa most likely in the low 3's because you turned in a 0.34 for a semester, and no LSAT score. Those aren't numbers to brag about.

I'm not trying to offend you, just giving a dose of reality. Are you going to write in your addendum that you are only dishonest when you are high? Shit looks bad dude. You have seven felony convictions and to top it off you had children when you committed these felonies, which speaks a great deal about your character. Law schools are probably going to look at your c&f statement and be like, "da fuq!?!"

[bjsesq]

(Omits important information)
(Calls people trolls when they find it themselves)

[Rexdan]

When I said UGPA, I meant at my current institution. I plan on writing an addendum for that 0.34 because I never even attended class for more than a month before I had to leave campus. As far as criminal convictions, I have substantial proof that all of the trouble I was in resulted from a documented drug additction. I have documented proof of my rehabilitation and a history of service and volunteer work since my convictions. Not to mention the fact that two of my LOR's are written from individuals who I had personally wronged in my past, that are speaking about my transformation. I have a few other things that are distinctly unique about me which would indicate the fact that I have overcome numerous obstacles to be sitting where I am. I also have some excellent softs from some summers that I spent in a leadership program for scholars in D.C. I'm confident thar my application will look strong and will be a breathe of fresh air for someone reading 500 per day. My convictions may hinder me, but I'm guessing they won't. Either way, I'll won't end up a jealous sap trolling forums looking to dig up dirt on individuals with nice numbers. FYI: my falsification charge stemmed from when I gave an officer the wrong name when I was high!! Lol

Nice numbers? You have a gpa most likely in the low 3's because you turned in a 0.34 for a semester, and no LSAT score. Those aren't numbers to brag about.

I'm not trying to offend you, just giving a dose of reality. Are you going to write in your addendum that you are only dishonest when you are high? Shit looks bad dude. You have seven felony convictions and to top it off you had children when you committed these felonies, which speaks a great deal about your character. Law schools are probably going to look at your c&f statement and be like, "da fuq!?!"

I think he's a troll. If he's not, then he better have a really, really good addendum and a stellar LSAT score.

[TheSpanishMain]

When I said UGPA, I meant at my current institution. I plan on writing an addendum for that 0.34 because I never even attended class for more than a month before I had to leave campus. As far as criminal convictions, I have substantial proof that all of the trouble I was in resulted from a documented drug additction. I have documented proof of my rehabilitation and a history of service and volunteer work since my convictions. Not to mention the fact that two of my LOR's are written from individuals who I had personally wronged in my past, that are speaking about my transformation. I have a few other things that are distinctly unique about me which would indicate the fact that I have overcome numerous obstacles to be sitting where I am. I also have some excellent softs from some summers that I spent in a leadership program for scholars in D.C. I'm confident thar my application will look strong and will be a breathe of fresh air for someone reading 500 per day. My convictions may hinder me, but I'm guessing they won't. Either way, I'll won't end up a jealous sap trolling forums looking to dig up dirt on individuals with nice numbers. FYI: my falsification charge stemmed from when I gave an officer the wrong name when I was high!! Lol I don't think it would viewed as high treason, but hey it might, what do I know? Im just another n***a tryna make it out the ghetto with his wife and kids.

Why are you getting all butthurt? He's not trying to be a dick to you, he's just pointing out something that you may not have been aware of: your .34 semester WILL hurt you. It's still going to count whether you write an addendum or not.

It's great that you got treatment for your drug addiction and have turned your life around, but I don't think it's going to be the "breath of fresh air" for adcomms you're expecting. Your C&F issues are still going to make your cycle at least hard to predict. I'm not saying they're insumountable, but when you write your explanations you need to take them seriously and show contrition, not go "LOL I was high though." Adcomms aren't going to think it's funny/interesting.

By the way, you don't have nice numbers, yet. You have an okay GPA. You could have a nice LSAT, but that's all speculative at this point.

A little more humility, dude, seriously. You could have a great cycle if you kill the LSAT and play your cards right, but you're strutting a little early.

[bjsesq]

Im just another n***a tryna make it out the ghetto with his wife and kids.

This was an especially nice touch.