Need Help Forum

[droges]

I applied late this cycle, sometime in February after getting my February LSAT. Below is what I have heard back so far:
Georgia: Accepted (scholarship- COA would be 10k/year)
Wake Forest: Accepted no money
William and Mary: WL
Washington and Lee: WL
Bu: WL
WUSTL: WL

My Stats are 167, second time, first time 163 and 3.65 GPA. I am considering retaking again in June seeing as I went blank on the second half of LG and feel like I can improve my score 3-4 points OR taking the money from Georgia and graduating with 30k debt. Any thoughts? I'm not sure if the risk of incurring more debt if I reapply to higher rated schools is worth it, especially with the legal market in its current condition. Second, God forbid I did worse on the test or cancelled, I think that would reflect poorly on me when I reapplied in the fall.

[tourdeforcex]

what are your goals w/ the JD? where (geographically) do you want to work?

improving 3-4 points from 167 is very significant. the difference between T14 and not

[droges]

The difference is significant, that is why I would consider waiting a year. I would eventually like to end up in the Northeast, because I am originally from New York, but have no problem practicing in Atlanta/ the southeast for 5-10 years. If I decided to go to Georgia, would I be able to relocate with that degree and 5-10 years experience or am I confining myself to that region?

[enron123]

The difference is significant, that is why I would consider waiting a year. I would eventually like to end up in the Northeast, because I am originally from New York, region?

The problem with TLS is the assumption of being trapped regionally or by debtload and people should really preface alot of thier advice with "in order to minimize risk of fill in the blank with any terrible thing". From what I've found anecdotally if you excel you can go anywhere you want as long as you are committed to that.

If you do great and finish near the top at G you could probably get back to NY after as long as you were active in your job search likewise if you do well in practicing law for 5 - 10 years.

Not sure if this is a helpful post but wanted to write it. Tired of TLSers saying take no debt then when faced with a T25 with $$$ or a T14 at sticker recommending sticker.

* With your GPA though I would reapply very early in the fall, with your current numbers you could do better than G, how is it 10k COA did they give you a stipend?

[TyrodTaylor]

wait and reapply sept 1. you will get into your waitlists

[droges]

If I decided to wait and didnt get offered money from higher ranked schools and wanted to go somewhere to minimize my debt, UGA, Wake, etc., do you think they would offer me money a second time?

[droges]

Advice?

[Magnolia]

The problem with taking the money at Georgia is that, unless you graduate at the top of your class, you'll probably have a hard time getting back to the Northeast. The problem with working in the south for 5-10 years and then moving to New York is that you'll have to basically start over with building your network and client base. You'll also have to pass the bar in a new state. It's possible, but not easy.

Your ties to New York may be able to get you a job from Georgia if your grades are excellent and you are extremely proactive in your job search, but definitely don't bank on it. You should really only take the money at Georgia if you would be happy staying in the south.

If you really want to end up in New York, then you should definitely reapply next year. If you can get your PT range up to around 169-172+, then you should retake. With a 168+ you could get money from WUSTL. With a 170+ you could break the T13. All of those would give you infinitely better shots at the Northeast than Georgia. Even if you don't retake the LSAT, applying in Sept/Oct instead of February should yield you much better results than you have now.

[Pricer]

If I decided to wait and didnt get offered money from higher ranked schools and wanted to go somewhere to minimize my debt, UGA, Wake, etc., do you think they would offer me money a second time?

My roommate got a $4k a year (already in state) offer when he applied last year (in January). He decided to wait a year. Same GPA, same LSAT, they offered him $5k a year when he applied (in February) this year. His merit aid went up without him doing anything.

[droges]

Thanks, the only reason I am concerned is because it would be a shame to turn down the $$$ at UGA then not be offered anything the following year. Hypothetically, if I take the LSAT in june and feel as if I did not score above 167, would a cancel hurt my chances?

[droges]

Removing location from consideration and looking at this decision from a purely financial perspective, what do people think? I think its hard to pass up because of Georgia's proximity to Atlanta and the small amount of debt (approximately 30k) I would graduate with.