Having trouble just pulling the trigger... Forum

[webbylu87]

To /end myself? Yes, probably in a year. For now though, just making and sticking with my decision.

I'm deciding between the two schools I've narrowed my decision down to. As is the classic dilemma it's the lower-ranked, cheaper school vs. higher-ranked, more expensive school (albeit, the difference in ranking isn't much). I'd probably feel more personally comfortable at the lower-ranked school but more professionally comfortable at the higher-ranked. Either way I'm looking at significant debt ($125k vs. $150k). (Shameless plug to help me make my decision: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 1&t=113426) I'm leaning towards the higher-ranked, but I just can't seem to make the decision official.

Is anyone in a similar position as far as the debt goes? Anyone having trouble just pulling the trigger and sending in that deposit?

[KMaine]

Schools? Goals?

[webbylu87]

Schools? Goals?

See: link in post

[holydonkey]

didn't the iowa deadline already pass?

[webbylu87]

It did. I paid the first seat deposit to buy more time.

[09042014]

Retake the LSAT. I wouldn't pay that much for either Iowa or Illinois ITE unless you are 100% okay with being a Decatur public defender (and ITE that might be a great job).

[webbylu87]

Retake the LSAT. I wouldn't pay that much for either Iowa or Illinois ITE unless you are 100% okay with being a Decatur public defender (and ITE that might be a great job).

I've taken the LSAT twice and applied last cycle but wasn't really feeling my options. I took a job (a 1 year position) and have been doing that for 7 months now. Obviously, I reapplied this cycle. Admittedly, doing another year off is a possibility but I REALLY don't want to. I also REALLY don't want to do the LSAT again.

As it stands, I would consider taking the year off and asking for a deferral. I could retake to try for better scholarship money. I am pretty wary of the debt.

[miamiman]

I've taken the LSAT twice and applied last cycle but wasn't really feeling my options. I took a job (a 1 year position) and have been doing that for 7 months now. Obviously, I reapplied this cycle. Admittedly, doing another year off is a possibility but I REALLY don't want to. I also REALLY don't want to do the LSAT again.

what I hear: I dont want to defer.

As it stands, I would consider taking the year off and asking for a deferral. I could retake to try for better scholarship money. I am pretty wary of the debt.

what I hear: well, I'll consider deferring.

[webbylu87]

I've taken the LSAT twice and applied last cycle but wasn't really feeling my options. I took a job (a 1 year position) and have been doing that for 7 months now. Obviously, I reapplied this cycle. Admittedly, doing another year off is a possibility but I REALLY don't want to. I also REALLY don't want to do the LSAT again.

what I hear: I dont want to defer.

As it stands, I would consider taking the year off and asking for a deferral. I could retake to try for better scholarship money. I am pretty wary of the debt.

what I hear: well, I'll consider deferring.

That pretty much sums up how I feel. I really don't WANT to but I also understand it might be the better financial and professional decision.

[KMaine]

Retake. Having the #s to get into those schools = being so close to having the #s to get into schools that are much more worth the investment. If not, I would go to Illinois (just personal preference).

[09042014]

I've taken the LSAT twice and applied last cycle but wasn't really feeling my options. I took a job (a 1 year position) and have been doing that for 7 months now. Obviously, I reapplied this cycle. Admittedly, doing another year off is a possibility but I REALLY don't want to. I also REALLY don't want to do the LSAT again.

what I hear: I dont want to defer.

As it stands, I would consider taking the year off and asking for a deferral. I could retake to try for better scholarship money. I am pretty wary of the debt.

what I hear: well, I'll consider deferring.

That pretty much sums up how I feel. I really don't WANT to but I also understand it might be the better financial and professional decision.

If you think you can get more LSAT points, you have to retake. You gotta be pretty close to T14 numbers right?

[miamiman]

webby,

neither of these schools are particularly good at putting their grads into highpaying legal employment right now. That was your stated #1 priority and one you are not likely to meet at either of these schools outside of the top 10%. Your problem is compounded by the fact that you arent getting significant scholarship money at either school.

Poor job prospects + Crushing debt = law school deferral





You'll feel a lot better about this decision after you increase your LSAT and have a wonderful new set of options before you. Good luck.

[webbylu87]

If you think you can get more LSAT points, you have to retake. You gotta be pretty close to T14 numbers right?

163 and no gpa (Overseas study which LSAT equates to a B- average which is a bull**** conversion, by the way.). I think I could potentially squeeze out some more points if I retook in October. I doubt I'd break 170 though.

[IAFG]

It seems like your goal is to be a law student, not a lawyer. Before you go into debt for a professional degree, make sure the jobs you can get are jobs you want.

[webbylu87]

It seems like your goal is to be a law student, not a lawyer. Before you go into debt for a professional degree, make sure the jobs you can get are jobs you want.

No, I do want to be a lawyer. I doubt I'd put myself through this twice (possibly three times) if that weren't the case. But with that said, I want to have some flexibility in career choice and to not be totally screwed upon graduation because I'm burdened with loads of debt.

[holydonkey]

If you start this year, go to Illinois.

I really think the new dean there is doing a great job. And I've heard Illinois is also developing a bridge program like Vandy's. The alums I've spoken with seem very committed to the school. And there's Pless. And the new ranking. Not that any of this adds up to anything solid, but I think all-around Illinois seems to be doing better than Iowa.

[webbylu87]

If you start this year, go to Illinois.

I really think the new dean there is doing a great job. And I've heard Illinois is also developing a bridge program like Vandy's. The alums I've spoken with seem very committed to the school. And there's Pless. And the new ranking. Not that any of this adds up to anything solid, but I think all-around Illinois seems to be doing better than Iowa.

This was my exact impression. I am leaning towards Illinois. Part of me thinks that if I can find a job for one more year, it's a sign that I should just wait.

[IAFG]

It seems like your goal is to be a law student, not a lawyer. Before you go into debt for a professional degree, make sure the jobs you can get are jobs you want.

No, I do want to be a lawyer. I doubt I'd put myself through this twice (possibly three times) if that weren't the case. But with that said, I want to have some flexibility in career choice and to not be totally screwed upon graduation because I'm burdened with loads of debt.

i don't think being willing to take the LSAT twice is evidence that you have done your homework about job prospects, but that said, i took it 3 times and it was worth the misery in the end.

[webbylu87]

It seems like your goal is to be a law student, not a lawyer. Before you go into debt for a professional degree, make sure the jobs you can get are jobs you want.

No, I do want to be a lawyer. I doubt I'd put myself through this twice (possibly three times) if that weren't the case. But with that said, I want to have some flexibility in career choice and to not be totally screwed upon graduation because I'm burdened with loads of debt.

i don't think being willing to take the LSAT twice is evidence that you have done your homework about job prospects, but that said, i took it 3 times and it was worth the misery in the end.

Fair enough. I've gone through this process twice (and when I say twice, I mean both the LSAT and application cycles) and frankly, wouldn't have gone through this again had it not been for the fact that I did a lot of soul searching after the first time around and came to the conclusion that this is in fact what I want to do. My logic is that I DO know what the job prospects are, hence being so wary about this debt.