Top Law Schools

Question for the general audience.

I'm looking for places to apply, and my lack of knowledge for good second tier schools is limiting me.

I have a 4.0/153, and will not be retaking the LSAT. Yes, I know I suck for that, but I honestly do not have
the time or resources to prepare properly. I've never been a good standardized test taker, and between work
and school its just not going to happen.

My softs are pretty good though. Active in a few organizations on campus, two deployments with the National
Guard, and excellent recommendations. I have no desire for big law, just public service.

Thoughts?

Well if a retake really isn't an option (which is a shame, you're wasting a great GPA) then you'll want to be going for strong regional schools that favor reverse splitters. I can think of a bunch of strong regionals, but not any where 153 is in their range.

retake. IMO anything outside of top 20 law schools isn't worth going to. I don't think a 153 will land you anywhere near those. I know you say it's not an option.......but it always is. Take 6 months off it and study 30 minutes a day 7 days a week during this time. Cut out the one TV show you watch when you get home to relax. You can do 1 preptest spread over in 4 parts over the course of a week and over the course of 6 months that adds to 24 preptests. More than enough to score in the mid 160 range (opens up lower top 25)

Well I studied for the LSAT over several months, took a prep course, and went into the test
and took it without any external issues. I didn't panic or anything. I just blew the games.
As much as I try, I have not gotten better at them. With plenty of time I can of course figure
it all out. My score is what it is.

I am from Mississippi, and have no problems going to Ole Miss. Since I have no desire for the top law
firms even in my area, I don't see how it would be a bad option. But I'd like to at least look at other
schools just to vary my choices.

Thanks for any advice.

you should be a lock for ole miss. i'm a 1L here if you have any questions.

if you are dead set on not retaking, might also try a hail mary app at BAMA, i think they make some LSAT exceptions for people with 4.0s but i could be wrong (still probably a long shot unless URM). probably good for arkansas if you want to practice there.

Though I understand what you think about the LSAT, I personally know someone who went from 145-171. It took a LOT of hard work, but if you "just messed up in games" on the test, what would have happened if you DIDNT mess up in games on the test. Your score would have been much higher, I'm assuming. The LSAT is very learnable. What prep course did you take, and how did you study? Have you taken all of the PTs available? Powerscore Bibles?

You really owe it to yourself to take it again. Even if you would be happy at Ole Miss, Ole Miss at sticker vs. Ole Miss with $$$ is something you should think about. If you had the discipline and ability to get a 4.0, you can get higher than a 153, even if you hate standardized testing.

I know I'm giving you advice that you explicitly stated you dont need to hear, but if you've only taken it once so far, I think you should give it another shot. Again, if not for a higher ranked school, then for the scholarship money.

games can get easy....practice practice practice. i sucked at them too, but once you understand the logic behind them, one day at the library of eight consecutive game sections completely changed the way i processed them. i got -0 on every game section from then on through my test. at least for me, it was the easiest section to improve on.

i know someone who got into cardoza with a similar score.