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My admission profile- Sept 09 LSAT - 158 Dec 09 LSAT 165. GPA 3.23, no upward trend (infact, a slightly downward trend). No extracurriculars other than membership in various honors societies (Psi Chi, NSCS). Work at Starbucks as a shift manager / assistant store manager 40 hours per week for the last 3 years of undergrad, used a LOR from my superior that emphasized my maturity, drive, commitment, and decision making / problem solving skills. My PS was well written but very rushed and could've been better.

I applied late- applications sent 1/10 - U of Florida, U of Georgia, and Georgia State U
applicants sent 2/17 - LSU, Tulane, U of Colorado

Waitlisted at UF, UGA, GSU
Still waiting on Tulane and UC-Boulder, and fully expecting WL's considering my late app.
Accepted to LSU last week, going for a class visit/tour and their ASD on April 9-10. From what I've ascertained from reading these forums, there is one more round of $$$ LSU is sending out, and I imagine I have a good chance at one considering LSU's generosity with $$$.

Further info- I don't have any serious preferences about where I want to live. My LSAT improvement was the result of buying the PowerScore bibles and then never getting focused on studying. I studied a TOTAL of 4-5 hours between Sept. and Dec., and went from 158 to 165.

My dilemna- I have no doubt in my mind that, with the proper preparation, I could hit 170 on the June LSAT... especially since I'm virtually done with my college classes this semester and am cruising to graduation, with my job being my only time constraint between now and the June test. I really had my heart set on getting started as a 1L this fall and finally getting out of my hometown, but after my UF waitlist (my top choice), I started seriously thinking about waiting a year and applying early this time.

My current leaning is that if LSU offers me good $$$ (half tuition), and I enjoy my upcoming visit, I'll pay their seat deposits and ride out the UF waitlist. I also think I should go ahead and start preparing for the June LSAT balls-to-the wall, and seeing how my PT scores look this time next month. If I'm consistently breaking 170 then it seems that I'd have a very hard time resisting registering for the test. If I did that well on the real deal that would clearly open the door to a vastly different set of schools next cycle.

So... if you were in my position, what would you do? I'm afraid I'd be selling myself short, considering I'm confident that I have the potential to blow the LSAT away, by attending LSU. But from what I've seen so far, LSU is looking better and better. I guess I could just pay the LSU seat deposits, take the June test, and if my score exceeds my expectations, I could back out at LSU and start working on next year's applications.

Long read, sorry, but I'd really appreciate any advice.

Any thoughts are much appreciated, thanks!!

ChattTNdt wrote:
So... if you were in my position, what would you do? I'm afraid I'd be selling myself short, considering I'm confident that I have the potential to blow the LSAT away, by attending LSU. But from what I've seen so far, LSU is looking better and better. I guess I could just pay the LSU seat deposits, take the June test, and if my score exceeds my expectations, I could back out at LSU and start working on next year's applications.

Long read, sorry, but I'd really appreciate any advice.

Any thoughts are much appreciated, thanks!!

I think I would do exactly what you described above. It can be tough to accept that things are not going to work out exactly as you planned (I'm dealing with that myself), but it could work out for the best. Plus, it gives the legal job market another year to pick up before you graduate from LS.

You seem like you honestly didn't give a shit about putting forth the effort to properly apply to law school this cycle.

Given that observation, do it right next time. You don't want to go to LSU for three years, carry the degree around for the rest of your life, and feel deep regret simply because your lazy ass decided last minute that you wanted to leave your hometown real quick.

Do yourself a favor and do it again next cycle, minus the suck. It's law school and your career, you're not applying to work at some retail chain.

HWS08 wrote:

ChattTNdt wrote:
So... if you were in my position, what would you do? I'm afraid I'd be selling myself short, considering I'm confident that I have the potential to blow the LSAT away, by attending LSU. But from what I've seen so far, LSU is looking better and better. I guess I could just pay the LSU seat deposits, take the June test, and if my score exceeds my expectations, I could back out at LSU and start working on next year's applications.

Long read, sorry, but I'd really appreciate any advice.

Any thoughts are much appreciated, thanks!!

I think I would do exactly what you described above. It can be tough to accept that things are not going to work out exactly as you planned (I'm dealing with that myself), but it could work out for the best. Plus, it gives the legal job market another year to pick up before you graduate from LS.

Thanks for the advice man, appreciate the understanding. Just the type of response I was looking for.

CMDantes wrote:You seem like you honestly didn't give a shit about putting forth the effort to properly apply to law school this cycle.

Given that observation, do it right next time. You don't want to go to LSU for three years, carry the degree around for the rest of your life, and feel deep regret simply because your lazy ass decided last minute that you wanted to leave your hometown real quick.

Do yourself a favor and do it again next cycle, minus the suck. It's law school and your career, you're not applying to work at some retail chain.

People like you are why I hesitated to post this. Calling me a lazy ass? I understand your suggestion, but that's not advice. That is bashing on a random guy just for sh-ts and giggles. Whatever man. The exact type of response I was NOT looking for. Hope you feel good about being perfect and doing everything right all the time.

ChattTNdt wrote:

HWS08 wrote:

ChattTNdt wrote:
So... if you were in my position, what would you do? I'm afraid I'd be selling myself short, considering I'm confident that I have the potential to blow the LSAT away, by attending LSU. But from what I've seen so far, LSU is looking better and better. I guess I could just pay the LSU seat deposits, take the June test, and if my score exceeds my expectations, I could back out at LSU and start working on next year's applications.

Long read, sorry, but I'd really appreciate any advice.

Any thoughts are much appreciated, thanks!!

I think I would do exactly what you described above. It can be tough to accept that things are not going to work out exactly as you planned (I'm dealing with that myself), but it could work out for the best. Plus, it gives the legal job market another year to pick up before you graduate from LS.

Thanks for the advice man, appreciate the understanding. Just the type of response I was looking for.

I'm not a man, but you're welcome

ChattTNdt wrote:

CMDantes wrote:You seem like you honestly didn't give a shit about putting forth the effort to properly apply to law school this cycle.

Given that observation, do it right next time. You don't want to go to LSU for three years, carry the degree around for the rest of your life, and feel deep regret simply because your lazy ass decided last minute that you wanted to leave your hometown real quick.

Do yourself a favor and do it again next cycle, minus the suck. It's law school and your career, you're not applying to work at some retail chain.

People like you are why I hesitated to post this. Calling me a lazy ass? I understand your suggestion, but that's not advice. That is bashing on a random guy just for sh-ts and giggles. Whatever man. The exact type of response I was NOT looking for. Hope you feel good about being perfect and doing everything right all the time.

Uh, don't be so sensitive dude. This is the internet.

I'm just saying, in the way that I know how to say it, that you should get over being lazy and do the application process justice next time. I'm FAR from perfect with a 3.25 GPA, I just think the process deserves more than a rushed PS and 4-5 hours of LSAT study over months, etc.

If that lack of preparation for such a life-determining application doesn't scream lazy-ass, I don't know what does. Don't get sore about it, happens to all of us.

HWS08 wrote:

ChattTNdt wrote:

HWS08 wrote:

ChattTNdt wrote:
So... if you were in my position, what would you do? I'm afraid I'd be selling myself short, considering I'm confident that I have the potential to blow the LSAT away, by attending LSU. But from what I've seen so far, LSU is looking better and better. I guess I could just pay the LSU seat deposits, take the June test, and if my score exceeds my expectations, I could back out at LSU and start working on next year's applications.

Long read, sorry, but I'd really appreciate any advice.

Any thoughts are much appreciated, thanks!!

I think I would do exactly what you described above. It can be tough to accept that things are not going to work out exactly as you planned (I'm dealing with that myself), but it could work out for the best. Plus, it gives the legal job market another year to pick up before you graduate from LS.

Thanks for the advice man, appreciate the understanding. Just the type of response I was looking for.

I'm not a man, but you're welcome

Hahaha, my apologies.

CMDantes wrote:

ChattTNdt wrote:

CMDantes wrote:You seem like you honestly didn't give a shit about putting forth the effort to properly apply to law school this cycle.

Given that observation, do it right next time. You don't want to go to LSU for three years, carry the degree around for the rest of your life, and feel deep regret simply because your lazy ass decided last minute that you wanted to leave your hometown real quick.

Do yourself a favor and do it again next cycle, minus the suck. It's law school and your career, you're not applying to work at some retail chain.

People like you are why I hesitated to post this. Calling me a lazy ass? I understand your suggestion, but that's not advice. That is bashing on a random guy just for sh-ts and giggles. Whatever man. The exact type of response I was NOT looking for. Hope you feel good about being perfect and doing everything right all the time.

Uh, don't be so sensitive dude. This is the internet.

I'm just saying, in the way that I know how to say it, that you should get over being lazy and do the application process justice next time. I'm FAR from perfect with a 3.25 GPA, I just think the process deserves more than a rushed PS and 4-5 hours of LSAT study over months, etc.

I understand. I had a lot of personal life issues in Sept-Dec '09, combined with my time committments at work, but I still should have made the application process a priority.

I definitely could see myself loving Louisiana. Another factor in my mind is that I feel that I'd have a good shot at being near the top of my class at LSU, as opposed to facing much tougher competition if I was to wait a year and get into a great school. Not that I want to take the easy way out, but LSU has the Louisiana job market on lock since so few Tulane grads stay in LA. I just really like what I've seen about LSU so far.

Than

CMDantes wrote:

ChattTNdt wrote:

CMDantes wrote:You seem like you honestly didn't give a shit about putting forth the effort to properly apply to law school this cycle.

Given that observation, do it right next time. You don't want to go to LSU for three years, carry the degree around for the rest of your life, and feel deep regret simply because your lazy ass decided last minute that you wanted to leave your hometown real quick.

Do yourself a favor and do it again next cycle, minus the suck. It's law school and your career, you're not applying to work at some retail chain.

People like you are why I hesitated to post this. Calling me a lazy ass? I understand your suggestion, but that's not advice. That is bashing on a random guy just for sh-ts and giggles. Whatever man. The exact type of response I was NOT looking for. Hope you feel good about being perfect and doing everything right all the time.

Uh, don't be so sensitive dude. This is the internet.

I'm just saying, in the way that I know how to say it, that you should get over being lazy and do the application process justice next time. I'm FAR from perfect with a 3.25 GPA, I just think the process deserves more than a rushed PS and 4-5 hours of LSAT study over months, etc.

If that lack of preparation for such a life-determining application doesn't scream lazy-ass, I don't know what does. Don't get sore about it, happens to all of us.

My problem was I got a big head after I got my 165 and assumed that I was an auto-admit at Florida. And based on past years, I should have been. As a result, I slacked on my preparation. I understood the seriousness of the process, but I didn't use my best judgment at the time. I don't think that screams lazy-ass, but we've all got our opinions.

I'd still say give it another shot. If you miraculously make it into a REALLY good school after rocking the LSAT you'll be happy you made the decision. Alternately, if you don't make great LSAT improvement you can still go to LSU.

As mentioned above, the year wait will let the economy improve a bit before you're out there anyway.

But seriously, don't take it personal.

CMDantes wrote:I'd still say give it another shot. If you miraculously make it into a REALLY good school after rocking the LSAT you'll be happy you made the decision. Alternately, if you don't make great LSAT improvement you can still go to LSU.

As mentioned above, the year wait will let the economy improve a bit before you're out there anyway.

But seriously, don't take it personal.

Thanks man, no worries.

If my visit goes well and they offer me a scholarship, I'll pay the LSU deposits, ride out my UF and UGA waitlists, and continue to prep hard for the June LSAT. If I see a significant improvement on my PT's, I'll take the real thing. And if I break 170, I'll back out of my deposits and apply October 1, 2010. What's the $132 LSAT fee in the big picture of financing law school?

ChattTNdt wrote:

CMDantes wrote:
If my visit goes well and they offer me a scholarship, I'll pay the LSU deposits, ride out my UF and UGA waitlists, and continue to prep hard for the June LSAT. If I see a significant improvement on my PT's, I'll take the real thing. And if I break 170, I'll back out of my deposits and apply October 1, 2010. What's the $132 LSAT fee in the big picture of financing law school?

Legit plan, imo. Let us know how it turns out, I'm going through the process of applying next cycle as well.