"Untraditional" Background - Chances at T14 Forum

[ACTII]

I'll be graduating in May with a 3.4 in English, haven't taken the LSAT yet (I averaged a 171 on timed Preptests 65-70).

With that being said, I'm really at a crossroads as far as what I feel I should do at this point. I've been planning on taking a year off and applying to all T14s in the fall but I'm not sure how much of a chance I stand with my criminal record/educational history and am considering just taking the February LSAT and applying to a local T2 school that I feel I'm basically guaranteed in at.

Here's why:

I won't go into much detail (I'm not really looking to emphasize on my underprivileged background on my apps) but I had a tough upbringing and ultimately moved out on my own, not emancipated, at 16, because my mother is essentially a "hoarder" and is hopelessly addicted to prescription pain medications. I worked and was completely independent financially and split an apartment with two friends (I was able to do so because the lease was in their names) but ultimately missed so much school that due to school rules I automatically failed a class I needed to graduate and dropped out of high school (at the time I dropped out I was top 10 in the class) the second semester of senior year and ended up getting my GED shortly thereafter. During 2008-2009 (I was class of '08) I was arrested four times; driving without a license (honestly had no idea my license was suspended), failure to appear (computer glitch, I actually appeared at the court date and was released from jail when they realized the mistake after approximately 24 hours), a third time for open container, and finally public intoxication/disturbing the peace while I was at the beach. Moreover, I had a reckless driving ticket in 2007.

After the last arrest (around June 2009) I decided to turn my life around and enrolled at a regional university and after two years I was able to transfer to the state flagship university at which I've been on the Dean's List every consecutive semester. I haven't had so much as a speeding ticket over the last four years and I've had all of the offenses expunged from my record except the failure to appear (just haven't got around to it yet).

Would such a history completely bar my chances at a T14? If not, is there anything I can do during the gap year to improve my chances, such as community service, etc? Any input would be appreciated. I just don't want to take a year off and end up going to the same school that I otherwise would have. Look forward to any responses.

[twenty]

Take the LSAT and come back. You're not a felon, so I don't think you're too screwed, though.

[Nova]

Would such a history completely bar my chances at a T14?

No.

GULC student:

Gersen’s [...] pleaded no contest to felony possession of ecstasy in California in 2009, and he was charged by San Francisco police with drug possession in 2010.

http://abovethelaw.com/2013/02/breaking ... h-dealing/

[phillywc]

Agreed with those above. Could make a great PS if you write it carefully. Stress teh change, not how bad you were.



Nova, I dig your new posting style.

[Nova]

Nova, I dig your new posting style.

Thx bro

[ACTII]

Thanks for the responses. As far as WE goes, right now I'm working for a local firefighters union (a branch of the IFFA) as a salesman/fundraising rep. Basically, I call people/businesses within the city limits to sell fundraising tickets to various promotions that raise funds for things like a burn rehabilitation center for any local child that's been severely burned in a house fire, the "Fire Safety House on Wheels" that goes to all the local schools teaching fire safety, and other similar programs.

I'm wondering if my job would be considered "good" WE or whether I should look into something else for my gap year. I average about $16/hr with the bonus structure, which is basically double anything I've made hourly before, but I'm not so sure it would be considered favorable WE since it's basically telemarketing. Any thoughts?

[john1990]

I'll be graduating in May with a 3.4 in English, haven't taken the LSAT yet (I averaged a 171 on timed Preptests 65-70).

With that being said, I'm really at a crossroads as far as what I feel I should do at this point. I've been planning on taking a year off and applying to all T14s in the fall but I'm not sure how much of a chance I stand with my criminal record/educational history and am considering just taking the February LSAT and applying to a local T2 school that I feel I'm basically guaranteed in at.

Here's why:

I won't go into much detail I was arrested four times; driving without a license, failure to appear, open container, and public intoxication, and disturbing the peace, and I had a reckless driving ticket in 2007.


Would such a history completely bar my chances at a T14?

Your record is not very bad. These are all violations from what I can see. Do you have any misdemeanors?

[ACTII]

I believe all of my charges are misdemeanors. I think what is considered a misdemeanor or an "infraction" differs from state to state?