Advice needed: Which schools would be best for me to target?
Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 9:08 am
I'm trying to decide which schools would be best for me to aim for based on my stats, goals, and interests. I'll try to provide you guys with as much relevant information as possible about my situation . . . any advice is appreciated.
Stats/Personal Info:
White male, 25 years old.
Undergrad GPA: 3.70 (2nd tier school)
LSAT: 170? (based on my results in the study class I am currently taking, this seems like a fairly safe minimum score. I have not yet taken the real thing, however).
B.A. - History
Minor - French
I have 1+ yrs work experience as a HS History teacher. Ok softs but nothing spectacular.
Interests/Goals
Option A: One path I am interested in is working as a field agent with the FBI after graduating with my JD.
Option B: I am interested in being involved in the public policy arena at some point in my career. If that is the direction I chose to go in, I'm have been told that I would probably have to "pay my dues" by working a good 5-7 years in the private sector before having a chance to get an interesting job in the public policy sector.
Constitutional law interests me a lot. I am also interested in other types of law, but based on some of the career routes I am considering I am not sure what the best course of study would be for me. What specifically would the FBI be looking for in a law grad? What background might be best suited for pursuing a career in public policy? Also, based on my goals, I am not sure whether it is extremely important that I try to get a T20 school (thereby probably getting less financial aid and accruing more debt), or if I should target a school ranked in the 20's or 30's that might give me better financial aid based on my numbers? I would prefer to avoid large debt as much as possible, but certainly not at the expense of career prospects.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Stats/Personal Info:
White male, 25 years old.
Undergrad GPA: 3.70 (2nd tier school)
LSAT: 170? (based on my results in the study class I am currently taking, this seems like a fairly safe minimum score. I have not yet taken the real thing, however).
B.A. - History
Minor - French
I have 1+ yrs work experience as a HS History teacher. Ok softs but nothing spectacular.
Interests/Goals
Option A: One path I am interested in is working as a field agent with the FBI after graduating with my JD.
Option B: I am interested in being involved in the public policy arena at some point in my career. If that is the direction I chose to go in, I'm have been told that I would probably have to "pay my dues" by working a good 5-7 years in the private sector before having a chance to get an interesting job in the public policy sector.
Constitutional law interests me a lot. I am also interested in other types of law, but based on some of the career routes I am considering I am not sure what the best course of study would be for me. What specifically would the FBI be looking for in a law grad? What background might be best suited for pursuing a career in public policy? Also, based on my goals, I am not sure whether it is extremely important that I try to get a T20 school (thereby probably getting less financial aid and accruing more debt), or if I should target a school ranked in the 20's or 30's that might give me better financial aid based on my numbers? I would prefer to avoid large debt as much as possible, but certainly not at the expense of career prospects.
Any advice would be much appreciated.