What is one thing you wish someone would have told you? Forum

[gymboree]

Nope, I hadn't met any professors - but after serious research (reaching out to students who were current students, looking at links to other departments, looking up articles on JSTOR, EBSOhost, and Lexis) I felt I could say intelligent things about why I wanted to study with those professors.

[BriaTharen]

+Take the June LSAT first

[pppokerface]

bump

[fragged]

+1 on taking the June LSAT

...and don't ever take the February one.

[whymeohgodno]

what does OP mean?

Overpowered, obviously.

[Gotti]

Apply as soon as you get your October scores back (if you took it). If you took an earlier LSAT, apply the week the apps come out (ESPECIALLY with borderline numbers)

[cortnf]

take june
write your ps/ds/addenda/why x over the summer
send in your apps as soon as they become available

[romothesavior]

Apply for a job, and don't go to law school. Or at the very least, take a few years off before you go.

[GATORTIM]

don't go to law school

although I saw some things on TLS that did allude to this; it would have meant more coming from a person I know

[romothesavior]

don't go to law school

although I saw some things on TLS that did allude to this; it would have meant more coming from a person I know

Yep. Agreed.

[ATR]

Apply for a job, and don't go to law school. Or at the very least, take a few years off before you go.

Interested in the reasons you say this (personally).

[romothesavior]

Apply for a job, and don't go to law school. Or at the very least, take a few years off before you go.

Interested in the reasons you say this (personally).

1) I wish I had some real world experience under my belt, 2) I am not ready to join the super serious world of law and be an adult, and I'd rather have spent a few years working 9-5, leaving work at the office, going home, and drinking/playing XBox, 3) having work experience is a really great thing to talk about in job interviews.

[GATORTIM]

Apply for a job, and don't go to law school. Or at the very least, take a few years off before you go.

Interested in the reasons you say this (personally).

1) I wish I had some real world experience under my belt, 2) I am not ready to join the super serious world of law and be an adult, and I'd rather have spent a few years working 9-5, leaving work at the office, going home, and drinking/playing XBox, 3) having work experience is a really great thing to talk about in job interviews.

It's a fkn catch-22 bro...I enjoyed the 9-5, making some sweet mulaah, and not having any responsibilities on the weekends (party ass off, travel, and do whatever you want b/c you have the dough...come in on Monday and not remember shit b/c you had soo much fun), but of course it just wasn't good enough, thought the grass was greener; so I decided on law school. Now I would do anything to crawl back into that womb

[gambelda]

Apply for a job, and don't go to law school. Or at the very least, take a few years off before you go.

Interested in the reasons you say this (personally).

1) I wish I had some real world experience under my belt, 2) I am not ready to join the super serious world of law and be an adult, and I'd rather have spent a few years working 9-5, leaving work at the office, going home, and drinking/playing XBox, 3) having work experience is a really great thing to talk about in job interviews.

It's a fkn catch-22 bro...I enjoyed the 9-5, making some sweet mulaah, and not having any responsibilities on the weekends (party ass off, travel, and do whatever you want b/c you have the dough...come in on Monday and not remember shit b/c you had soo much fun), but of course it just wasn't good enough, thought the grass was greener; so I decided on law school. Now I would do anything to crawl back into that womb

I'm in this womb and I want OUT!!!! Though I'm working 7:30 to 7:00

[vissidarte27]

...and don't ever take the February one.

Why do you say that, if you don't mind my asking? Please don't tell me it's a harder test. I might die.

I've signed up for the February LSAT so that I have time to retake it in June if I need to. I plan to apply ED for 2012 admission and I want to get my app in as early as possible, so a retake in October isn't ideal. I thought I'd take Feb and then June.

What's wrong with the Feb test?

[czelede]

...and don't ever take the February one.

Why do you say that, if you don't mind my asking? Please don't tell me it's a harder test. I might die.

I've signed up for the February LSAT so that I have time to retake it in June if I need to. I apply to apply ED for 2012 admission and I want to apply as early as possible, so a retake in October isn't ideal. I thought I'd take Feb and then June.

What's wrong with the Feb test?

I think this may have to do with the Feb tests never being released?

[pppokerface]

...and don't ever take the February one.

Why do you say that, if you don't mind my asking? Please don't tell me it's a harder test. I might die.

I've signed up for the February LSAT so that I have time to retake it in June if I need to. I apply to apply ED for 2012 admission and I want to apply as early as possible, so a retake in October isn't ideal. I thought I'd take Feb and then June.

What's wrong with the Feb test?

Its not. Probably because people usually assume that you are taking it and then completing your app way late. Thats usually the case, but if its not you are fine.

[crumpetsandtea]

Loving this thread, such good advice!

[lastch2]

do not be shy asking if your LOR's are complete. I've had all my apps ready since the week after scores came out only to find one LOR was put into the mail TODAY! another was posted last week. It doesn't matter how together you are, make sure you can gently nudge others you are depending on.

[northwood]

get your LORS and personal statement done the cycle before you intend to apply.

[etown989]

This is better advice for those who still have a couple years to go before applying...

If you sign up for a class, never go, and get an F then retake the class for an A. To LSAC that is just 2 C's

[Jack Smirks]

This is better advice for those who still have a couple years to go before applying...

If you sign up for a class, never go, and get an F then retake the class for an A. To LSAC that is just 2 C's

No, actually that's an A and an F.

[krad]

get your LORS and personal statement done the cycle before you intend to apply.

This.

LORs can really f you up Speaking from my experience this cycle- lame! Have a backup LOR.

[kjadkins]

READ TLS!
I didn't find TLS until after I had applied and I wish I had. I know very few people applying to law school and am a first-generation college student, and our pre-law advisor is so unavailable (and kind of rude in emails). I had next to no guidance when applying and I really regret it.

I wish I had known that WHERE I went to undergrad is so much less important than my GPA. I could have gone to a much easier school and gotten a much higher GPA and ended up getting in to better law schools.

Apply EARLY... I thought November was early, it's not. Apply in October. Your LOR writers will take forever and a day to get them in, and then LSAC takes eons to process them. Ask for them WAY too early.

Wear LOTS of layers to the LSAT, you have no idea how hot or cold it's going to be in that room and being an uncomfortable temperature can be REALLY distracting.

When you do timed practice LSATS, time yourself for 30 mins per section instead of 35. On the real test you'll feel like you have extra time to go back and check your work.

Write Why X essays and Diversity Statements. I had literally never heard of either of them until I got on TLS and I really wish I had written them.

Have someone proofread your PS (all your writing, for that matter). I know it sounds like common sense, but I didn't do it (I'm super self-conscious about my writing) and I regret it because mine had a typo in it that I didn't notice until after I submitted.

[pppokerface]

awesome tips, really really great thread.
I haven't applied yet but I did take my LSAT, so here is mine
Don't take the LSAT until you are ready. Don't take it unless you are practicing a few points higher than what you would be happy with-for instance-you practice around a 173 and you would be happy with a 170 then you are fine, because there is that risk that you will underperform, especially if it is your first time. For some it is during their undergrad and they can have a great score under their belt and apply right away, some of you have to wait until you can get a better score. Its just the way it is unfortunately, and I'm not trying to say that you won't get into a good law school with a low score, but you have a better shot for a good one (or more $$$) with a better score.