Berkeley, NU, or Retake Forum

[hilife13]

Hello Everyone,
I'm currently an undergrad with no debt that will be graduating in May. Currently, I have been waitlisted at most of the T-14 with the exceptions of Berkeley and NU. As follows, I believe that I will be attending most of these schools either near or at sticker (NU has offered something like $15k in scholy.)
I am fairly open to where I work, and what I want to do. Thus far, I'm interested in eventually pursuing prosecutorial work, but I'm willing to consider other options. I have no ties to any state. Finally, I've taken the LSAT once in June of last year (studied during the school year and summer) and am willing to study for the LSAT again (either June or October). As my profile states, I have a 165 and a 3.95 LSDAS GPA, and am a first generation-college student.
So, should I consider going to Berkeley or NU or wait a year and volunteer for something like the courts or the local DA's office? Thoughts?

[20141023]

.

[sinfiery]

Wait and retake, please please wait and retake.

293k for berk when you can retake should not happen

[RELIC]

Retake

[hilife13]

I wasn't sure because I've seen threads w/ Berkeley at sticker polls leaning towards attending. Additionally, there's pressure to go to a "prestigious law school" right after graduation (the whole first-generation thing and all), but I'll probably just need to reason with them as I'm pretty debt-averse.

If/When I do retake the LSAT, should I consider utilizing a different study strategy? I used Kaplan for the 165, as they're the only real provider of brick and mortar facilities here. Any recommends? I know that goes into another category, but I was just wondering.

[rebexness]

165 with Craplan prep is a pretty good indicator that you could get higher with legit prep.

Get thee the LG bible, Manhattans LR book, and an LSATqa account, and prepare to sail this ship to scholarship land in the higher parts of the t-14.

Are you an URM?

[hilife13]

I'm not URM, but I get a slight bump due to first-generation college student status and strong softs.

[Clearly]

I'm not URM, but I get a slight bump due to first-generation college student status and strong softs.

Is that first gen thing real? I've yet to see anyone even mention that as a boost. There's not even like a checkbox on apps for it. There's an optional box for highest level attained, and you can opt not to even include a parent iirc.

[Clearly]

Oh. And retake.

[FlowBro]

If you can get in with your current LSAT score, imagine what an extra 3-5 points could do for you!!

Prep right, work hard, crush June...profit

edit: fellow retaker 157 ->170

[annet]

I'm not URM, but I get a slight bump due to first-generation college student status and strong softs.

Is that first gen thing real? I've yet to see anyone even mention that as a boost. There's not even like a checkbox on apps for it. There's an optional box for highest level attained, and you can opt not to even include a parent iirc.

I don't know about law but I've worked in undergrad and med school admissions and they did take it into account when the information was volunteered. It's not a huge automatic boost or anything but, for undergrad in particular, it was usually taken into consideration/noted on the file.

[Emma.]

If you are set on law school, you should absolutely retake. Score above 170 and go to a T-14 for free.

You'd basically be earning $150K by delaying for a year. Even if you spent 1000 hours prepping for the October LSAT (basically 40 hours per week from now until then) you'd be earning the equivalent of $150 per hour on that time.

[Master Tofu]

If you are set on law school, you should absolutely retake. Score above 170 and go to a T-14 for free.

You'd basically be earning $150K by delaying for a year. Even if you spent 1000 hours prepping for the October LSAT (basically 40 hours per week from now until then) you'd be earning the equivalent of $150 per hour on that time.

This. Please retake.

[Gunnar Stahl]

Retake

There are people here who would strangle a puppy for your GPA.