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I've lived in MN since I was born, went to undergrad here, and would (ideally) like to practice family law in a small to mid-sized firm in MN, Wisconsin, or possibly Chicago. Currently, I've been wait-listed at the U of M, have not yet heard from Wisconsin (but, if I get in, I'd most likely receive a $10-15,000 a year at max, if anything at all), accepted at IU-Bloomington with $10,000 a year, and have been offered 3/4 of tuition at Loyola. I've been accepted to a few other schools (WF with 15,000 a yr; Villanova full ride), but these are my top four choices for hoping to stay in the midwest. Here's where I really could use some advice:

My GPA is a 3.8 from a strong MN school, but my LSAT was disappointing (159 after an upward trend in my practice tests - 156 to 161 to 162). If I were to retake in June and even just make it to 162, would that help to either bolster my $$ at the aforementioned schools or get me off the UM waitlist? How long should I stay on the UM waitlist?

I know TCR is to retake and re-apply next year. I'm in an unfortunately volatile family situation in which if I don't go to law school this year, I'll most likely be kicked out of my parent's house, dropped of my family's health insurance, etc. I have been working for the past year after graduating, but was clearly hoping to save what little money I earned for law school. Moving into an apt. independently may be doable, but certainly costly based on what I'm making right now. That makes retaking and reapply a rather complicated option, although I recognize the benefits of it regarding my law school and financial prospects.

Additionally, while the general Midwest is a-ok with me, how much mobility does a JD from Wisconsin, Loyola, or IU give you in the midwest, MN in particular? I'm basically expecting the answer to be 0, but I may as well put the question out there.

Given all the factors I've mentioned, what would you recommend?

Get a job, and an apartment.
Retake twice if necessary to at least get into the mid 160's, go to UM (I'm assuming this is Minnesota not Michigan?) for little to no tuition.
Edit-
a 163 gets you in most likely with some money, but a 165 is golden.
mylsn has only 2 of 38 applicants with a 165 plus and a GPA between 3.7 and 3.85 getting rejected.
90% of those received scholarships averaging $100K

Cellar-door wrote:Get a job, and an apartment.
Retake twice if necessary to at least get into the mid 160's, go to UM (I'm assuming this is Minnesota not Michigan?) for little to no tuition.
Edit-
a 163 gets you in most likely with some money, but a 165 is golden.
mylsn has only 2 of 38 applicants with a 165 plus and a GPA between 3.7 and 3.85 getting rejected.
90% of those received scholarships averaging $100K

Thanks for the input. Yes, I meant the University of Minnesota. Thoughts on retaking in June and hoping to get off the waitlist this year?

eykno14 wrote:

Cellar-door wrote:Get a job, and an apartment.
Retake twice if necessary to at least get into the mid 160's, go to UM (I'm assuming this is Minnesota not Michigan?) for little to no tuition.
Edit-
a 163 gets you in most likely with some money, but a 165 is golden.
mylsn has only 2 of 38 applicants with a 165 plus and a GPA between 3.7 and 3.85 getting rejected.
90% of those received scholarships averaging $100K

Thanks for the input. Yes, I meant the University of Minnesota. Thoughts on retaking in June and hoping to get off the waitlist this year?

If you score high enough that would work, if that doesnt then take in Oct. for next cycle

eykno14 wrote: My GPA is a 3.8 from a strong MN school, but my LSAT was disappointing (159 after an upward trend in my practice tests - 156 to 161 to 162). If I were to retake in June and even just make it to 162, would that help to either bolster my $$ at the aforementioned schools or get me off the UM waitlist? How long should I stay on the UM waitlist?

Hey. Definitely stay on the WL as long as possible and retake in June. You already have a good shot at getting off the WL at UMN with a 159/3.8,and even a couple more points would really help.

If you can hit median (164/165+), youd pretty much be an auto admit with a big scholarship.

A higher score could also improve your scholarship offers at other schools.

Additionally, while the general Midwest is a-ok with me, how much mobility does a JD from Wisconsin, Loyola, or IU give you in the midwest, MN in particular?

None

I would bet 99% of TLS would call this bad advice, but did you apply to William Mitchel? They would probably give you some good $. IF you're sure that you want to work in small law AND if you're willing to limit yourself to MN, at free or close to it, it may not be a horrible decision (also counting on the fact that you have strong MN ties here). I think its LST score is over 50%, which is better than most peers and better than some "tier 1" schools.

Though, I would only recommend this if you have to go now and/or can't raise your score. Retake in June for just a couple more points and you're likely in at UMN.

EDIT: William Mitchel's LST report says that 51.5% of grads are in long term, full time legal jobs. Doesn't necessarily change my opinion, but I wouldn't go unless it was very, very close to free.