I'm not a partier at all, can I survive at FSU? Forum

[gingerkitty]

Here's my stats:

173 LSAT, 3.8 GPA, Non-Trad (I'm 31 and got my BA in 2002). I want to practice in Florida/Tampa Bay after graduation working in public interest law or government. I am not a big law person. I'm a quiet and bookish type. I don't drink. Don't use drugs. I have a family history of alcoholism and so I avoid that whole thing.

I've been offered a full scholarship for FSU. I go look at the campus next week. I'm just worried about the party school reputation. Everyone I know who went there for undergrad loved the number of parties and the football atmosphere. That doesn't interest me at all. But FSU is the only school I applied to offering me a full ride. William and Mary (which is more my type of atmosphere) is only offering 15k a year. I'm on whatever that Priority Decision Waitlist thing is at Duke. Still waiting to hear from UVa but I'm not hopeful.

So, is it possible to function at FSU as a nerd/bookish type? Or does the law school have a tamer atmosphere.

[TyrodTaylor]

not to ignore your originaly question, but i believe that you would be able to get a full ride from some much better schools, increasing your opportunities tremendously. I would go to a school with a more academically nurturing environment. maybe emory?

[rman1201]

Here's my stats:

173 LSAT, 3.8 GPA, Non-Trad (I'm 31 and got my BA in 2002). I want to practice in Florida/Tampa Bay after graduation working in public interest law or government. I am not a big law person. I'm a quiet and bookish type. I don't drink. Don't use drugs. I have a family history of alcoholism and so I avoid that whole thing.

I've been offered a full scholarship for FSU. I go look at the campus next week. I'm just worried about the party school reputation. Everyone I know who went there for undergrad loved the number of parties and the football atmosphere. That doesn't interest me at all. But FSU is the only school I applied to offering me a full ride. William and Mary (which is more my type of atmosphere) is only offering 15k a year. I'm on whatever that Priority Decision Waitlist thing is at Duke. Still waiting to hear from UVa but I'm not hopeful.

So, is it possible to function at FSU as a nerd/bookish type? Or does the law school have a tamer atmosphere.

Aim higher.

Did you apply late to Duke?

[gov]

Aside from the fact that you could get into better schools, yes you can go to FSU if you aren't a partier. There are BEAUTIFUL areas to live in and there is a huge population of older gov't workers etc. in addition to students. There is a lot to do in Tally that is not just partying, etc.

[kruiz88]

Here's my stats:

173 LSAT, 3.8 GPA, Non-Trad (I'm 31 and got my BA in 2002). I want to practice in Florida/Tampa Bay after graduation working in public interest law or government. I am not a big law person. I'm a quiet and bookish type. I don't drink. Don't use drugs. I have a family history of alcoholism and so I avoid that whole thing.

I've been offered a full scholarship for FSU. I go look at the campus next week. I'm just worried about the party school reputation. Everyone I know who went there for undergrad loved the number of parties and the football atmosphere. That doesn't interest me at all. But FSU is the only school I applied to offering me a full ride. William and Mary (which is more my type of atmosphere) is only offering 15k a year. I'm on whatever that Priority Decision Waitlist thing is at Duke. Still waiting to hear from UVa but I'm not hopeful.

So, is it possible to function at FSU as a nerd/bookish type? Or does the law school have a tamer atmosphere.

Aim higher.
quote]

+1

[thecilent]

1) Go to a better school on schooly
2) You're 31 and you don't know if you can handle a school cause it has a lot of parties?

[FeelTheHeat]

1) Go to a better school on schooly
2) You're 31 and you don't know if you can handle a school cause it has a lot of parties?

[gingerkitty]

Emory is out. I couldn't live in Atlanta. Lived there for a year and hated the city. I know it sounds stupid, by quality of life is very important to me. I have a history of depression and need to be some place where I thrive. Harvard and Yale were out because of that. I just know that I'd be miserable with the weather. I know my limits. As much as I'd like to think I'd be able to go to Yale and kick ass even with the snow, the truth is I'd fall apart.

Even though I have good stats on paper I also have some negatives. I had a nervous breakdown my freshman year of college and had to leave school for a year. It isn't something I hid and I actually talk about it in my personal statement because I'm proud of being able to come back from that to graduate from college with a 3.8. I've learned how to live with my illness. A large part of it is being honest with myself about my own limitations. It is also why I want to be a lawyer. I want to help people who typically are marginalized by society, like the mentally ill.

Anyway, I suspect that some schools (Duke, for example) might not have had the same view of my life story. Instead of seeing it as someone overcoming an obstacle they may have seen "crazy girl" and passed. A lot of the schools that would take me on the basis of my numbers probably passed because of my history. It's probably better that they pass early on than to have hidden it and got accepted and feel I have to hide it.

[gingerkitty]

1) Go to a better school on schooly
2) You're 31 and you don't know if you can handle a school cause it has a lot of parties?

It's more like, I'm 31 and know I don't want to live in a frat house and wanted to know if there were places in Tally where one could escape that atmosphere.

Sadly, no better schools are offering me money. I know, it's shocking.

Actually, UF also offered me a full ride. But when I looked at that school it was just as bad in terms of atmosphere. It also had the negative of having a much larger student population.

[rman1201]

Visit the schools, explore the cities, and talk to current students to see if you fit in. The law students tend to at least be more mature/focused than the undergrad populations of the schools. A free ride at UF is hard to turn down, but I understand the predicament as someone with a similar mindset who spent the last 4 years in Gainesville.

[Drake014]

Emory is out. I couldn't live in Atlanta. Lived there for a year and hated the city. I know it sounds stupid, by quality of life is very important to me. I have a history of depression and need to be some place where I thrive. Harvard and Yale were out because of that. I just know that I'd be miserable with the weather. I know my limits. As much as I'd like to think I'd be able to go to Yale and kick ass even with the snow, the truth is I'd fall apart.

Even though I have good stats on paper I also have some negatives. I had a nervous breakdown my freshman year of college and had to leave school for a year. It isn't something I hid and I actually talk about it in my personal statement because I'm proud of being able to come back from that to graduate from college with a 3.8. I've learned how to live with my illness. A large part of it is being honest with myself about my own limitations. It is also why I want to be a lawyer. I want to help people who typically are marginalized by society, like the mentally ill.

Anyway, I suspect that some schools (Duke, for example) might not have had the same view of my life story. Instead of seeing it as someone overcoming an obstacle they may have seen "crazy girl" and passed. A lot of the schools that would take me on the basis of my numbers probably passed because of my history. It's probably better that they pass early on than to have hidden it and got accepted and feel I have to hide it.

Let's say that it was your PS that got you rejected from schools that should have accepted you based on your numbers. If you had written about something else and gotten accepted, its not like you would have had to hide "it" during law school. First of all, what is it that you'd be hiding? Secondly, what are they going to do to you if you're out with it? "We're sorry, you seem to be suffering from depression which is an automatically flunkable offense." Finally, if you're afraid that you may become suddenly depressed in law school and take a dive in grades, lower ranked schools are more likely to flunk you out than higher ranked ones.

With that said, you have admirable goals and I think you'll achieve what you want to do with your life. Having a free ride is a major bonus. Also, keep in mind that some higher ranked schools offer programs so that you don't have to pay off your student loans if you work in the public interest sphere.

[cj2k14]

I did my undergrad at UF. Gainesville is a nice city.. a college town of course. There are nice places to live that aren't overrun by loud obnoxious undergrads. I personally lived at a place called Hampton oaks and then Fairmont Oaks right next door for a total of 3 years between the 2 places. I loved both of them and they are full of working professionals and a few students who are looking to get away from the typical undergrad party living scene. Rent is not terrible there and the nice thing is that both are next the mall where you can catch the #5 bus which stops directly at the law school in about a 15-20 minute ride. You also ride the bus for free around the city if you are a UF student. The law school is far far far away from the undergrad section of campus which is mainly anything east of gale lemerand ave and north of museum road. Frat row and a few dorms (Springs) are near the law school but I haven't heard anything from my friends who go there that it is a big issue. Its definitely worth a look in my opinion. Hope this helps in any way!

[flcath]

I don't understand the question here? You have borderline HYS stats, and are asking about FSU. This, coupled with the "I am not a big law person" suggests to me that YOU DO NOT WANT BIGLAW NO MATTER WHAT.

If you actually want to be a lawyer, you should try to go somewhere better; reapply next year and get half at a T10 (UVa is my fav, fwiw) and go there.

I just don't understand how you could have possibly gotten into this situation. I had roughly the same LSAT as you, a GPA that's about .6 lower, and I'm at ND on 75%-off... Law school is not a touchy-feely admissions process that values who you are as a person...

The atmosphere at FSU--I went there for UG--is unavoidably party-centric. It probably will affect your grades; it did mine (3.2 among average intelligence kids... I'm now top 15% in LS). The whole city exists to facilitate the 4-year party that is FSU undergrad.

[CP2323]

I would say go to UF if you are interested in Florida. Better ranked school and better community plus you can drive down to Tampa or Orlando for weekends for stress relief.

I live in Tampa currently and would definitely choose UF over FSU.

[gov]

The atmosphere at FSU--I went there for UG--is unavoidably party-centric. It probably will affect your grades; it did mine (3.2 among average intelligence kids... I'm now top 15% in LS). The whole city exists to facilitate the 4-year party that is FSU undergrad.

This is not true. I am fine in Grad School and have had no problems. The LS is also far enough removed where UGs wont be around all the time.

[flcath]

1) Go to a better school on schooly
2) You're 31 and you don't know if you can handle a school cause it has a lot of parties?

It's more like, I'm 31 and know I don't want to live in a frat house and wanted to know if there were places in Tally where one could escape that atmosphere.

Sadly, no better schools are offering me money. I know, it's shocking.

Actually, UF also offered me a full ride. But when I looked at that school it was just as bad in terms of atmosphere. It also had the negative of having a much larger student population.

UF is a huge state school as well, with plenty of partying if you want it, but it's not FSU. There are extremely few schools out there that can compete with FSU in the I'm-not-here-for-school mentality.

FSU's coolness permeates the classroom and the city: the girls (median attractiveness: 7.6) come to class made-up and dressed to kill; daily class attendance ranges from 50% to 80% depending on the class; a large group of my FSU LS friends would go to Fermentation Lounge 5+ times per week...

I don't know you, but if there is anywhere that will be too reckless for you, it is FSU.

[rman1201]

1) Go to a better school on schooly
2) You're 31 and you don't know if you can handle a school cause it has a lot of parties?

It's more like, I'm 31 and know I don't want to live in a frat house and wanted to know if there were places in Tally where one could escape that atmosphere.

Sadly, no better schools are offering me money. I know, it's shocking.

Actually, UF also offered me a full ride. But when I looked at that school it was just as bad in terms of atmosphere. It also had the negative of having a much larger student population.

UF is a huge state school as well, with plenty of partying if you want it, but it's not FSU. There are extremely few schools out there that can compete with FSU in the I'm-not-here-for-school mentality.

FSU's coolness permeates the classroom and the city: the girls (median attractiveness: 7.6) come to class made-up and dressed to kill; daily class attendance ranges from 50% to 80% depending on the class; a large group of my FSU LS friends would go to Fermentation Lounge 5+ times per week...

I don't know you, but if there is anywhere that will be too reckless for you, it is FSU.

No difference from UF there, median attractiveness might be a tad higher at UF.

[TyrodTaylor]

Do you question your will power and drive for success so much that you think you wont be able to resist going out. Put on some horse blinders and do your reading. What makes people choose to go out over doing their school work is immaturity. At 31 that shouldnt be bothering you too much I hope. Reapply next cycle, and aply to harvard. Otherwise you are doing yourself a disservice. I feel like ben affleck in good will hunting.

[flcath]

No difference from UF there, median attractiveness might be a tad higher at UF.

Lol no. Maybe for guys.

[Ginj]

Also, apparently Hillsborough County has around 4,500 lawyers alone. Just something to keep in mind.

[flcath]

Also, apparently Hillsborough County has around 4,500 lawyers alone. Just something to keep in mind.

Just do med school, bro.

[Sandro]

You hated the QOL in Atlanta but want to move to Tallahassee ?

[gov]

You hated the QOL in Atlanta but want to move to Tallahassee ?

There are gorgeous places to live in Tallahassee.

[Sandro]

You hated the QOL in Atlanta but want to move to Tallahassee ?

There are gorgeous places to live in Tallahassee.

Gorgeous ? Like, on the beach ? Or up in the Rocky Mountains ? Or in the heart of a big city ? Or... in the middle of the woods?

[20160810]

If you have a full ride from UF on the table, you should probably at least take that. Yes Gainesville is a college town, but is it REALLY that terrifying to know that some of your neighbors like to watch football and have a few beers? Surely you can find a quiet place to live. Picking FSU over UF because it's in slightly less of a college town is silly.