Top Law Schools

LSAT: 157 (once) GPA: 3.77

Admitted:
U of Iowa: $10k scholarship/$23k tuition
U of Nebraska: full ride
U of Colorado-Boulder: $12k scholarship/$36k tuition
Michigan St: $28k scholarship/$37k tuition
Drake: $30k scholarship/$34k tuition
Creighton: full ride
DePaul: $30k scholarship/$45k tuition

Waitlisted:
U of Minnesota
U of Illinois

TBA:
U of Wisconsin-Madison
U of Michigan

Here's my dilemma. I scored lower than I'd like on the LSAT. I thought about re-taking it but didn't have the time with my schedule to put in the proper dedication to really improve my score. I have always been set on entering for the Class of 2017, but after reading several posts on here I'm not sure if that is my best option. I want to go into International Law, and truthfully, I'm nervous on my prospects of getting into that market with my current acceptances.

That being said, am I selling myself short/is waiting a year and bringing up my LSAT my best option?

Lets hear it.

Explain what international law is and what sort of jobs you want.

With your solid GPA and lack of LSAT preparation retaking is the way to go imo. Sure, law school will wait for a year, but the positive effects could be lifelong. Better schools and more $$$ could open up

What do you plan on doing in international law?

CEF wrote:LSAT: 157 (once) GPA: 3.77

Admitted:
U of Iowa: $10k scholarship/$23k tuition
U of Nebraska: full ride
U of Colorado-Boulder: $12k scholarship/$36k tuition
Michigan St: $28k scholarship/$37k tuition
Drake: $30k scholarship/$34k tuition
Creighton: full ride
DePaul: $30k scholarship/$45k tuition

Waitlisted:
U of Minnesota
U of Illinois

TBA:
U of Wisconsin-Madison
U of Michigan

Here's my dilemma. I scored lower than I'd like on the LSAT. I thought about re-taking it but didn't have the time with my schedule to put in the proper dedication to really improve my score. I have always been set on entering for the Class of 2017, but after reading several posts on here I'm not sure if that is my best option. I want to go into International Law, and truthfully, I'm nervous on my prospects of getting into that market with my current acceptances.

That being said, am I selling myself short/is waiting a year and bringing up my LSAT my best option?

Lets hear it.

If your interest is really International Law, then sitting out and retaking isn't only the best option, unfortunately, it's the only one. Please don't waste that GPA by accepting any offers this year. Between now and June you can definitely bump your score over 10 points and at that point, anything is possible. Grind it out, up that score, reapply, and reap the rewards the rest of your life.

nebula666 wrote:Explain what international law is and what sort of jobs you want.

I'm interested in International Business transactions or a further stretch, something with International Human Rights and the UN/International Courts.

CEF wrote:

nebula666 wrote:Explain what international law is and what sort of jobs you want.

I'm interested in International Business transactions or a further stretch, something with International Human Rights and the UN/International Courts.

Do you know what these things actually are? It sounds like you just want something with international in the title.

f

CEF wrote:

nebula666 wrote:Explain what international law is and what sort of jobs you want.

I'm interested in International Business transactions or a further stretch, something with International Human Rights and the UN/International Courts.

Right. I wouldn't go to law school if this is really your career goal. If you want to work in international human rights, join the peace corps.

If you want a 30-50% chance at a midlaw job making around $50k in a small state, pick the cheapest option you listed and go there.

rad lulz wrote:

CEF wrote:

nebula666 wrote:Explain what international law is and what sort of jobs you want.

I'm interested in International Business transactions or a further stretch, something with International Human Rights and the UN/International Courts.

Those 2 things couldn't be more different

I agree! And I will say that I am not entirely educated on all of the opportunities in International Law, but I double-majored in Economics and Political Science so you can see my natural interest towards both of those areas.

My pull is greater towards international business and trade, as far as counseling corporations in transactions.

CEF wrote:I thought about re-taking it but didn't have the time with my schedule to put in the proper dedication to really improve my score.

Then you didn't have time with your schedule to go this year. You need a higher LSAT for even modest career goals. For "international law," you absolutely cannot settle for any less than a 170+.

If you would be happy working in small or mid-sized firms around the schools you listed, a ~165-167 should get you a full ride at most of them.

CEF wrote:

rad lulz wrote:

CEF wrote:

nebula666 wrote:Explain what international law is and what sort of jobs you want.

I'm interested in International Business transactions or a further stretch, something with International Human Rights and the UN/International Courts.

Those 2 things couldn't be more different

I agree! And I will say that I am not entirely educated on all of the opportunities in International Law, but I double-majored in Economics and Political Science so you can see my natural interest towards both of those areas.

My pull is greater towards international business and trade, as far as counseling corporations in transactions.

So you want to work for a corporate law firm. See Law School Transparency for information on how well the schools you've been accepted to place into large firms.

I think when people say "international law" we should just assume they mean Biglaw/prestigious PI.

OP in case you couldn't tell people get really fired up when someone says they want international law. But that really doesn't matter. For any career goal you should be retaking, either to get into much better schools, or to get a full ride to a regional school located in the market in which you want to practice.

d cooper wrote:I think when people say "international law" we should just assume they mean Biglaw/prestigious PI.

I assume that they have not yet informed themselves nearly enough to actually attend law school.

I think it's reasonable that OP could land a biglaw corporate job from a T14 and maybe eventually work on international deals. OP is a non-URM economics and poly sci/econ major; not exactly the kind of background to land prestigious PI internationally (domestically would be very different IMO). It's just not going to happen from the schools listed. OP should not go to law school if he/she does not have even remotely realistic expectations.

"Class of 2014" is a no go for all applicants, right guys?

Fiero85 wrote:"Class of 2014" is a no go for all applicants, right guys?

Without thinking about it too hard, I would say that at least 90% of all people who go to law school probably shouldn't go to law school.

Re-take

ETA: Really? The April Fool's thing isn't over?

..

I think counseling these guys would be pretty fun ....

http://images1.fanpop.com/images/image_ ... 00_330.jpg

CEF wrote:Here's my dilemma. I scored lower than I'd like on the LSAT. I thought about re-taking it but didn't have the time with my schedule to put in the proper dedication to really improve my score. I have always been set on entering for the Class of 2017, but after reading several posts on here I'm not sure if that is my best option. I want to go into International Law, and truthfully, I'm nervous on my prospects of getting into that market with my current acceptances.

You want to to snag a sought after job even though you didn't put your best foot forward at the start of you legal career? Enjoy competing against people who did everything in their power to get the best possible jump to their legal career.

Fiero85 wrote:"Class of 2014" is a no go for all applicants, right guys?

Well, thank you all for the advice! I knew I'd be throwing myself to the wolves here but thanks for your point of views.

sublime wrote:

BigZuck wrote:

Fiero85 wrote:"Class of 2014" is a no go for all applicants, right guys?

Without thinking about it too hard, I would say that at least 90% of all people who go to law school probably shouldn't go to law school.

I think it was a joke about c/o 14 v. c/o 17.

This. A failed joke apparently lol

Fiero85 wrote:

sublime wrote:

BigZuck wrote:

Fiero85 wrote:"Class of 2014" is a no go for all applicants, right guys?

Without thinking about it too hard, I would say that at least 90% of all people who go to law school probably shouldn't go to law school.

I think it was a joke about c/o 14 v. c/o 17.

This. A failed joke apparently lol

My B bro