Apply and Attend (Rushed) or Wait Until 2013 Forum

[zx92027xz]

I have a dilemma I would like to hear some opinions on, preferably the opinions of those 1L+ who have already gone through the process of moving and beginning school.
My Numbers:
160, 3.88 from a low ranked public state school (U of Central Oklahoma), Active Duty military (will be eligible for guaranteed scholarships based on my service)
My Situation:
I still have another 7 courses to go to complete my BA. I work full-time and getting all those classes in the next two semesters could present a bit of a challenge, but I think I will be able to do it. So, assuming I do graduate spring 2012, I meet the dilemma mentioned before…
I own my home in Oklahoma. I am a resident of Oklahoma. I need (would like) to own the home until October 2012 in order to hang on the to $8,000 tax credit I got when I purchased it. I do not plan on staying in Oklahoma any longer than necessary.
I will be able to get out of the military approximately June 8, 2012, probably not any earlier.
My Question:
So, should I press through this cycle with my applications and just deal with the house selling on the side while I am out of the state for school? I do not plan on moving back here and have no interest in keeping the house.
Is waiting a year worth not having the stress of rushing to move, finding a place to live, and dealing with the sale of home out of the state?
What I am Leaning Towards:
I am tempted to take a year off of school, deploy with the military, studying the entire time solely on LSAT prep material, and retaking next June.
My prep for this June was sub-par… I took a month after my spring semester ended to go through a Kaplan course. 3 of those weeks were not stellar study times, but that last week before the test I felt like I was able to learn a lot; I took the week off work and just studied 8 (ish) hours a day. I feel like there may be improvement to be had in my score. But then again, I am hesitant to do that because my practice test average was 156. But that’s another issue entirely.
If I could get into UCLA, I would have an unconditional full-ride thanks to their Yellow Ribbon (Military Specific) scholarship program. So a retake with a 165+ would serve me well. But then again, taking a year off and NOT being able to improve on my score doesn't really help me much at all, aside from avoiding the stress of a quick move. So… yep... help?
Sorry for writing a book and being so terribly erratic. Please ask for clarification on anything I was unclear about. I would really like some external opinions on the matter.

Edit for clarification: I would not literally study the entire deployment. After taking classes full time and working full time for past few years, I consider "studying the entire deployment"=not taking classes and spending an equivalent amount of time studying instead of taking classes. Essentially I would be able to study my weak areas in time that I would otherwise be studying for school (20-30 hrs a week.)

[HeavenWood]

I'm admittedly ignorant on the subject, but is it possible to do this

study the entire time solely on LSAT prep material

While doing this?

deploy with the military

[scammedhard]

I am tempted to take a year off of school, deploy with the military, studying the entire time solely on LSAT prep material, and retaking next June.

Do that.

[oktransferok]

I am tempted to take a year off of school, deploy with the military, studying the entire time solely on LSAT prep material, and retaking next June.

Do that.

Kind of strange that one can deploy with the military and study the entire time for the LSAT. Our tax dollars hard at work.

[enron123]

I am tempted to take a year off of school, deploy with the military, studying the entire time solely on LSAT prep material, and retaking next June.

Do that.

Kind of strange that one can deploy with the military and study the entire time for the LSAT. Our tax dollars hard at work.

STFU
_ _ _ _ _

I think most people will agree that your plan to retake in June is the more sound than rushing, especially when you a couple of points away from having a bunch more doors open to you.

Thank you for your service btw

[bball25]

Thank for what you so; in my opinion a deployed soldier deserves every penny he makes. With that being said an increased LSAT score with your gpa and background makes an excellent application. Increase to 168+ and enjoy a t-14.

[HeavenWood]

Thank you for your service btw

+1

I'm just wondering whether this plan is feasible.

[bball25]

And the military will pay for your education! I strongly encourage you to study hard and retake.

[oktransferok]

I am tempted to take a year off of school, deploy with the military, studying the entire time solely on LSAT prep material, and retaking next June.

Do that.

Kind of strange that one can deploy with the military and study the entire time for the LSAT. Our tax dollars hard at work.

STFU
_ _ _ _ _

STFU is an excellent answer to the issue I raised. I guess our military is planning to strike fear in the hearts of terrorists by demonstrating mad logic games skillz yo.

[rebexness]

[Total Litigator]

oktransferok, you are an idiot. Obviously no one is suggesting he go AWOL. Did you know that soldiers get down time? Or does it make you upset that they would have any free time? Why would they right? When they signed up they gave their WHOLE lives to the military, not just a pansy 60 hours a week with the rare R&R duty. It takes a lot of resolve for a soldier to use their hard earned down time to study for the LSAT. Anyone who is able to do deserves a lot of respect.

That being said OP, studying for the LSAT while you are deployed might be a bit too stressfull and not allow you the amount of time you might need to really prepare. Consider taking a year off after your deployment.

[uzpakalis]

When they signed up they gave their WHOLE lives to the military

This is not entirely true.

It takes a lot of resolve for a soldier to use their hard earned down time to study for the LSAT. Anyone who is able to do deserves a lot of respect.

Agreed

I have the utmost respect for those who serve. I just find it suprising as well that OP could use his entire deployment time to study for the LSAT.

[Total Litigator]

When they signed up they gave their WHOLE lives to the military

This is not entirely true.

I hate it when sarcasm goes unnoticed....

[zx92027xz]

I am tempted to take a year off of school, deploy with the military, studying the entire time solely on LSAT prep material, and retaking next June.

Do that.

Kind of strange that one can deploy with the military and study the entire time for the LSAT. Our tax dollars hard at work.

When deployed we actually do have a significant amount of downtime because of the nature of our job. There are regulations governing how many hours we are allowed to fly (I am not a pilot, but I do “fly” as a crewmember on the E-3) for each month and over a three month period. What ends up happening is this: we work long hours (>12) one day and have a day or two off. This schedule ends up capping our three month hours limit. So, yeah, I would have a significant amount of time to study.

And when I say study the entire time, I mean something to the effect of what TLS1776 did before his (or her?) 180. According to his prep thread he basically worked and studied for a year prior to taking the test… I doubt I would get a 180, but I am pretty sure I could improve on my 160.

Edit for elaboration:
So, bottom line, I would probably be able to get in a significant amount of studying while deployed and the deployment would only be for six months. Otherwise I would have my normal duty hours to work while in the states (7:30-4:30) and no other real obligations...

[quixotical]

So, bottom line, I would probably be able to get in a significant amount of studying while deployed and the deployment would only be for six months. Otherwise I would have my normal duty hours to work while in the states (7:30-4:30) and no other real obligations...

First of all, thank you so much for your service. It is truly appreciated.

For what it's worth, and depending on your personal goals and preferences, I like the idea of deploying for six months, having a few days off to prep for the LSAT on a regular basis, and possibly get great material for a Personal Statement about your experience being deployed overseas. I don't know how dangerous an area you'd be deployed to, and if you have any desire to be in a combat zone, so those are obvoiusly serious factors that should weigh heavily when making a decision. I also don't know if you would have a problem leaving your family for six months (and any anxiety they may have about you being in possible danger). This may not be a factor for you since the military would pay for your school, but the extra hazard pay you'd make while being deployed might be nice to have during law school.

Good luck making a decision and on your LSAT prep!

[zx92027xz]

Thanks to everyone for the words of encouragement and the appreciation given for being in the military.

So, bottom line, I would probably be able to get in a significant amount of studying while deployed and the deployment would only be for six months. Otherwise I would have my normal duty hours to work while in the states (7:30-4:30) and no other real obligations...

I don't know how dangerous an area you'd be deployed to, and if you have any desire to be in a combat zone, so those are obvoiusly serious factors that should weigh heavily when making a decision. I also don't know if you would have a problem leaving your family for six months (and any anxiety they may have about you being in possible danger). This may not be a factor for you since the military would pay for your school, but the extra hazard pay you'd make while being deployed might be nice to have during law school.

We deploy to a fairly cushy location due to the nature of our mission. So danger is basically not a factor (assuming nothing terrible happens) aside from an aircraft mishap, which I am not too concerned with.

I guess the worst thing that could happen is I waste a year of what could be 1L at a 35-55 ranked school, not improve (or do worse (fml if that happens)), and end up applying for 2013 to the same schools. Also, there would be a pain of studying the LSAT that much when I could probably get into a decent school already...
The best thing would be 167+ and get in somewhere awesome.

The next question, which I am sure has been asked many times before, is this: Should I apply this fall to schools just to see how it goes? What would be the negative repercussions associated with applying to schools, withdrawing all applications and having them see the same kid apply again the next year?