Need to decide soon Forum

[InTheHouse]

I took over 20 practice tests and under timed conditions in addition to taking a course. On test day it's always different because you know in the back of your mind this one really counts, as opposed to the others just being practice

And law school exams don't really count? Its only your entire course grade and your career on the line. Mind you, there are no retakes and the stakes are much higher at the schools you're choosing from.

Unless you've written a law school exam, you have now way of knowing how you're going to handle it. This isn't your UG history final. You might do great. You might not. All I know is that $150k is a lot of money to let ride on the assumption that test anxiety won't affect you in LS.

[Balthy]

Retake

Yess it still works.

[goterps123]

There are many differences between LSAT testing and school testing. Mainly that the LSAT is designed as a race against the clock, whereas in education testing, if you know the info, it is designed to be completed in the time alotted

[star fox]

And no not K-JD. Graduated in May '13. Took time off to study for the LSAT and now full time intern in DC

I'm the same age brother. Probably sitting out another year. Law school will still be there for us in a year. Get a paying job. In addition to boosting your resume, it's nice to save even a little bit of cash so that when you do enroll in law school, you'll be able to at least partially cover some living expenses.

[timbs4339]

There are many differences between LSAT testing and school testing. Mainly that the LSAT is designed as a race against the clock, whereas in education testing, if you know the info, it is designed to be completed in the time alotted

Wrong. With the exception of takehomes, which are rare, the issue spotter is designed to reward students who can pack in the most material in the least amount of time so as to allow the professors to easily distinguish between exams. They are meant to take longer than the 3-4 hours allotted.

I worked for a prof who said that an A level law school exam would only address 25-33% of the total number of possible points. He did this in order to make it much easier to distinguish between that and the various B level grades. Doing that exam was literally a typing contest. The sound of 150 people typing for four hours straight was kind of funny.

[BigZuck]

There are many differences between LSAT testing and school testing. Mainly that the LSAT is designed as a race against the clock, whereas in education testing, if you know the info, it is designed to be completed in the time alotted

Lol no

Dude, you haven't even taken a law school exam yet. You're telling me a good chunk of them aren't horse races?

[ManoftheHour]

If you read this and are inclined to reply with Good luck! Follow your dreams!, please don't. It's a waste of my time and yours.

This never gets old.



Fine. Please don't follow your dreams.

[InTheHouse]

There are many differences between LSAT testing and school testing. Mainly that the LSAT is designed as a race against the clock, whereas in education testing, if you know the info, it is designed to be completed in the time alotted

Since you live in DC, please take the opportunity to talk to law students/lawyers about how law school exams work. I get the feeling you'll attribute everything you hear here to TLS negativity.

[Nova]

There are many differences between LSAT testing and school testing. Mainly that the LSAT is designed as a race against the clock, whereas in education testing, if you know the info, it is designed to be completed in the time alotted

Most law school exams are a race against the clock

[goterps123]

Haha this thread has gotten way off topic. Please regard the original post. I will take the advice about test-taking into consideration but it is not what I was asking for in this post

[Mullens]

If you are unwilling to re-take the LSAT then you probably should not attend law school. All of these options will leave you with six figures of debt and no more than a coin-flip's chance at even becoming an attorney, much less one with a large enough salary to even service your massive debt. Please don't destroy your future.

[bizzike]

This thread hasn't got off topic. You just don't like the advice you're being given; namely, that in choosing between those schools, you're better off a) not going OR b) re-taking the LSAT. Look at the Cincinnati employment numbers. You have a 90% chance of making less than half of your aggregate debt as a starting salary. Your odds on winning 3 hands of blackjack consecutively are about the same as landing a six figure job.

Ignore the advice on this thread and go where you want. Three years from now you won't be able to say you weren't warned.

[rwhyAn]

Dude, if retaking isn't an option, then law school isn't an option for you. With your current options, you'll be paying near $150-200k for a 50/50 chance at becoming a lawyer, and even if you win the coin flip, you'll unlikely be able to pay off your debts...ever. So basically you lose even if you win. If you think it'll be fun owing more money every month in student loan payments than you make, then by all means, go for it. The only reason to attend any one of the schools you have listed is if you have a full-scholarship. Even then you'll end up with around $60k in debt for cost of living. Before you make any decision, though, visit https://www.law.umich.edu/financialaid/ ... lator.aspx and play around with the numbers for each school, and if you're comfortable taking on such debt, then go and report back to us in 3 years.

[anyriotgirl]

they make pills for anxiety you know. get a doctor to prescribe you some.

[PattyCake]

Hope this is constructive. If you are really dead set on attending this fall then here is what I'd do. Retake in June, and spend the time refreshing for the LSAT, honing your skills. You improved a lot between the last 2 takes, you can improve that much again. I'm guessing you scored between 150 and 157 with the schools you listed, so another 7 points could have gotten you much bigger scholarships - it still can if you are willing to invest seat deposits at a few of those schools. Put down deposits if you're DEAD SET on going this fall, at 3 schools ranging from safety to reasonable with the score you want to get scholarships with. Then negotiate after your score is released.

Now, go to a doctor. Get stress meds if necessary. Start practicing first thing early in the morning until your warm up sections reflect your ability, and on test day get there however early is necessary to do that same length of warm up. Make sure however early that is is a time you have practiced at. In other words if you'll have to be there by 5:30 to fit it in on test day then practice at 5:30. Familiarity with a situation is hugely relaxing. Also consider asking for beta blockers and practice a couple full length tests with them to be sure you don't have any negative reactions. Do your prep before getting in line on test day so that you're already warm and confidant. DON'T use new sections on test day - do moderately difficult ones that you've seen before but don't have memorized. Do 2 or 3 separately at 8:35 each, and the a full 35 minute section in the section type you need the most warming up for.

That's what I did and it helped enormously (except the beta blockers, I got that advice too late but wish I'd thought of it). I was so stressed out my first time I took the LSAT that I woke up with a migraine and completely bombed my first 3 sections because I was trying not to vomit. Second time I was actually smiling almost the whole way through.

[californiauser]

None

[AlwaysPlayTheFox]

I do fine with normal testing. I attribute it to the LSAT being a test where yes, you are familiar with what will be asked. However, you don't know the context/content of any questions beforehand. Normal tests you will at least know the information

If you really have this problem and the best you can do is Penn State at Sticker.... you might want to reconsider and not attend law school.

[Harry Belafonte]

OP I'd recommend giving this thread a look.

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 2&t=208084

[Yawkey]

Listen brotha, you're having a mind block over the prep test and real test thing. Go to the June test, cross out "June LSAT 2014" on the cover, and write PT 73. That's all it is when its all said and done. Just like the other 20 you have taken. Same sh*t, different day.

And don't take preptests while you're wearing your jammies and have earplugs in. Simulate that mofo!

Good luck