On Re-taking/Re-applying
I'm not really sure if re-taking or re-applying is a viable option. I'm applying now since I've just finished undergrad. I really have nothing substantial to do for a whole year. My undergrad majors don't make me terribly qualified for actual jobs. I do perform a pretty unique art that I feel might make me stand out (according to the handwritten note from Emory's admission dean) but I don't know how much that's worth
I've already interned at either the public defender's or the state attorney's office every past summer of undergrad. I'd speculate any gains in my app from that are exhausted by now.I've also only taken the LSAT once but feel I was pretty fortunate to get what I got given my practice test scores (averaging 164-165ish). I suppose it's possible that if I studied really hard I could get a substantially higher score - but failing that I'd feel like I've wasted my time for a year. So it sounds to be a bit of a gamble. I did miss some points on the logic games due to time and even forgot to answer one stupidly - to Blondie who asked. I couldn't sleep before except about 2 hours also.
To people who have asked - I applied in like late October I think. Unfortunately, my last recommender didn't finish his letter until late November (I did send him frequent reminders and told him about it in late August). So I couldn't have been complete until then.
Also if I did re-apply do I need my recommendation people to write new ones or can they submit their old ones? Not sure how this process works. I suppose re-applying is an option though not a preferable one, my dad is vehemently against it and pays my finances. I still have some waitlists to ride out before I resort to this though. I hear Duke is giving aid to waitlisted people so I'm hopeful :\
On Employment Prospects
First of all, thank you to everyone who has some experience with UF law graduates. You all seem to unanimously reject the salaries advertised by career services, which vindicates my suspicion of them and aids my decision making. I realize the sample size of UF people here is small but still.
I should also add a thing worth considering I hadn't realized before. Georgetown probably attracts a lot of people interested in public interest/government work given that it's in DC. I bet that accounts for at least SOME of the placement - 19% public interest placement vs. 67% private sector placement. So the people who don't get big law were not necessarily seeking it in the first place. The conclusion from this is just my chances of getting it are probably a little higher than what can just be gleaned from placement figures (assuming they're accurate).
Personal Finances
To whoever asked - the cost of living in Gainesville is pretty low. I mean I have to pay living costs wherever I am but the point is they are sufficiently low such that I won't be in debt since my parents can easily foot the bill. Same with UF tuition and as I said only 14% of people with schollies lose them according to the financial aid people, so it's unlikely.
And more significantly, I asked my dad for an estimate on how much we'd have to borrow - he says about 140k. So not as bad as 200k+ but something to factor into the decision making obviously.
