Ole Miss w/ $$ vs. Kentucky Forum

[JakeTylerBrigance]

4.0 GPA with a 154 LSAT, undergrad at U of Alabama. My LSAT was not great but my LOR's and personal statement were solid.

Currently considering 3 schools at this time: MC Law in Jackson, Ole Miss, and Kentucky. Of course the offers from each school have went exactly as you would imagine. MC Law is offering to pay from almost all of tuition, Ole Miss has offered to cut the cost to the price of an in-state resident, and UK has offered nothing.

I had the chance to visit Lexington two weeks ago for the open house tour and lunch for admitted students and absolutely loved the faculty, students, and the city. US News has them ranked much higher than my other 2 potential choices, but it would be irresponsible not to consider the scholarships offered to me.

Anything on T3 with $ vs. T2? Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Manteca]

With that GPA, I would definitely retake and then you would be looking at some incredible options.

[Nova]

4.0 GPA with a 154 LSAT

it would be irresponsible not to consider the scholarships offered to me.

It would be irresponsible to attend lawschool with a 154

[nebula666]

Not retaking the LSAT would be the single greatest mistake of your life

[thevuch]

dude you have got to retake man. YOUVE GOT TO

[Winston1984]

4.0 GPA with a 154 LSAT

it would be irresponsible not to consider the scholarships offered to me.

It would be irresponsible to attend lawschool with a 154

[transferror]

Edit your original post to include all of this information: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 1&t=206299
Then we can give better advice.

That said, you should retake the LSAT and go to a better school.

[Tasik32]

I agree with the retake advice fully.

Judging from the people I know who are at or graduated from UK Law and from the numbers (http://www.lstscorereports.com/schools/kentucky/2013/), I think UK Law, for the vast majority of people, only makes sense if you plan to practice in Kentucky. Even if that is the case, it still isn't worth full freight, especially when you have the option to retake for some big money, t-14, or both.

[deadpanic]

I agree with the retake advice fully.

Judging from the people I know who are at or graduated from UK Law and from the numbers (http://www.lstscorereports.com/schools/kentucky/2013/), I think UK Law, for the vast majority of people, only makes sense if you plan to practice in Kentucky. Even if that is the case, it still isn't worth full freight, especially when you have the option to retake for some big money, t-14, or both.

Especially considering OP would be paying out of state for 3 years plus COL.

None of these options are good considering your situation. You have to retake.

Ignore US News. And where do you plan on practicing?

[BankruptMe]

i would advise uky ususally...but you need a retake...

[JakeTylerBrigance]

I made a 150 my first attempt, the 154 was my 2nd attempt. I have heard it is frowned upon to take the LSAT more than twice but I am not sure if that is factual OR* just hearsay.

***It must be noted that both attempts were while I was in undergrad attending full time and also working 40+ hours a week to pay rent and cost of living in Tuscaloosa as I do not come from a very wealthy family. No LSAT prep courses, I just self studied when I could.***

I would jump at the chance to retake now that I have graduated and have no GPA to maintain.

[Mullens]

Schools do not care (other than maybe Yale) how many times you retake the LSAT and only consider your highest score. Many people on these boards have taken it 3+ times and gotten in to T14 schools. Please please please retake and go to a good school that deserves your GPA.

[Nova]

I made a 150 my first attempt, the 154 was my 2nd attempt. I have heard it is frowned upon to take the LSAT more than twice but I am not sure if that is factual OR* just hearsay.

Your highest score is what matters

[croissantlover]

Retake, get a 168+ and enjoy T-14 with scholly.
Don't waste that 4.0.

[PDaddy]

I made a 150 my first attempt, the 154 was my 2nd attempt. I have heard it is frowned upon to take the LSAT more than twice but I am not sure if that is factual OR* just hearsay.

Your highest score is what matters

Whoever told you that it was "'frowned upon' to take the LSAT more than twice" was a hater. Adcoms only frown upon the admission of applicants who will potentially lower their rankings without bringing to the table some worthwhile trade-off (diversity, incredible softs, legacy + donor $$$, etc.).

With your 4.0 GPA the only southern schools you should be eyeing are Virginia, Duke, Texas, or Vandy. If you were URM you could probably shoot for lower T14 and below even with that 154, but we would all still tell you to retake (with a goal of 160+) because you would be throwing away potential scholarship money.

Bring your score up to 170+ and forever change the direction of your life. Even if you have to wait another year or two it will be time well spent. You really should be contending for the HYS CCN MVPNBD range.

[MtnGinger]

I currently go to undergrad at UK and love it and the professors. I know we aren't a top school but we offer a lot more attention and meaningful relationships than other places I know. That being said I know that of course a T14 offer greater options but I also understand some people can be great lawyers but can't get the top scores on the LSAT to get into T14s. The BBN network is very strong and alumni are always offering to help at least in undergrad so I assume law will be the same. You would be surprised at some of the places our career center (even the law one) has very strong connections too, I even know students who moved to California because an alum reserved spots just for our students. While I myself am not considering UK for law school I don't want you to discount it just because of stats or other reasons people who aren't part of our family give. In the end the decision is what makes you happy within a reasonable debt ratio.

[deadpanic]

I currently go to undergrad at UK and love it and the professors. I know we aren't a top school but we offer a lot more attention and meaningful relationships than other places I know. That being said I know that of course a T14 offer greater options but I also understand some people can be great lawyers but can't get the top scores on the LSAT to get into T14s. The BBN network is very strong and alumni are always offering to help at least in undergrad so I assume law will be the same. You would be surprised at some of the places our career center (even the law one) has very strong connections too, I even know students who moved to California because an alum reserved spots just for our students. While I myself am not considering UK for law school I don't want you to discount it just because of stats or other reasons people who aren't part of our family give. In the end the decision is what makes you happy within a reasonable debt ratio.

This is terrible anecdotal advice. You should absolutely discount it for the stats. Employment stats are all that matters.

The only thing I will agree on is the reasonable debt ratio. You shouldn't just up and move to Kentucky and pay out of state tuition for 3 years with zero ties. Haven't crunched the numbers, but that would be pretty devastating if you don't end up in the top 10%.

[BigZuck]

I currently go to undergrad at UK and love it and the professors. I know we aren't a top school but we offer a lot more attention and meaningful relationships than other places I know. That being said I know that of course a T14 offer greater options but I also understand some people can be great lawyers but can't get the top scores on the LSAT to get into T14s. The BBN network is very strong and alumni are always offering to help at least in undergrad so I assume law will be the same. You would be surprised at some of the places our career center (even the law one) has very strong connections too, I even know students who moved to California because an alum reserved spots just for our students. While I myself am not considering UK for law school I don't want you to discount it just because of stats or other reasons people who aren't part of our family give. In the end the decision is what makes you happy within a reasonable debt ratio.

"Our family?"

Is the University of Kentucky a cult?

[thevuch]

I currently go to undergrad at UK and love it and the professors. I know we aren't a top school but we offer a lot more attention and meaningful relationships than other places I know. That being said I know that of course a T14 offer greater options but I also understand some people can be great lawyers but can't get the top scores on the LSAT to get into T14s. The BBN network is very strong and alumni are always offering to help at least in undergrad so I assume law will be the same. You would be surprised at some of the places our career center (even the law one) has very strong connections too, I even know students who moved to California because an alum reserved spots just for our students. While I myself am not considering UK for law school I don't want you to discount it just because of stats or other reasons people who aren't part of our family give. In the end the decision is what makes you happy within a reasonable debt ratio.

"Our family?"

Is the University of Kentucky a cult?

this is typical of southern schools to use this kind of language when referring to themselves

[californiauser]

I currently go to undergrad at UK and love it and the professors. I know we aren't a top school but we offer a lot more attention and meaningful relationships than other places I know. That being said I know that of course a T14 offer greater options but I also understand some people can be great lawyers but can't get the top scores on the LSAT to get into T14s. The BBN network is very strong and alumni are always offering to help at least in undergrad so I assume law will be the same. You would be surprised at some of the places our career center (even the law one) has very strong connections too, I even know students who moved to California because an alum reserved spots just for our students. While I myself am not considering UK for law school I don't want you to discount it just because of stats or other reasons people who aren't part of our family give. In the end the decision is what makes you happy within a reasonable debt ratio.

this is bs. you have a 4.0 we know you're smart enough to score 160+ on the LSAT

[MtnGinger]

Yes UK is kinda cultish but we are a family. I didn't mean for my advice to ignore stats, what I meant was that if OP didn't want to retake that stats don't always reflect true potential. UK is a school where many options are available they just aren't thrown at you like T14. If you want a job anywhere in the US though and do well in law school then chances are UK can get you at least to the location and in a position to move up to your desired job.
I agree that if OP thinks he can devote the time and do better then off course retake. But some people truly don't have to time or have other priorities over a higher score.

[thebobs1987]

Yes UK is kinda cultish but we are a family. I didn't mean for my advice to ignore stats, what I meant was that if OP didn't want to retake that stats don't always reflect true potential. UK is a school where many options are available they just aren't thrown at you like T14. If you want a job anywhere in the US though and do well in law school then chances are UK can get you at least to the location and in a position to move up to your desired job.
I agree that if OP thinks he can devote the time and do better then off course retake. But some people truly don't have to time or have other priorities over a higher score.

If someone is serious about law school and their future they should find the time and prioritize a higher score, otherwise law school is probably wrong for them.

[BigZuck]

Yes UK is kinda cultish but we are a family. I didn't mean for my advice to ignore stats, what I meant was that if OP didn't want to retake that stats don't always reflect true potential. UK is a school where many options are available they just aren't thrown at you like T14. If you want a job anywhere in the US though and do well in law school then chances are UK can get you at least to the location and in a position to move up to your desired job.
I agree that if OP thinks he can devote the time and do better then off course retake. But some people truly don't have to time or have other priorities over a higher score.

If someone is serious about law school and their future they should find the time and prioritize a higher score, otherwise law school is probably wrong for them.

Yeah seriously. Law school is a huge financial and time commitment (most people give up 3 of the best years of their lives to go to law school), if you can't be bothered to retake some silly standardized test that tremendously impacts your future then you shouldn't go to law school.

[timbs4339]

Yes UK is kinda cultish but we are a family. I didn't mean for my advice to ignore stats, what I meant was that if OP didn't want to retake that stats don't always reflect true potential. UK is a school where many options are available they just aren't thrown at you like T14. If you want a job anywhere in the US though and do well in law school then chances are UK can get you at least to the location and in a position to move up to your desired job.
I agree that if OP thinks he can devote the time and do better then off course retake. But some people truly don't have to time or have other priorities over a higher score.

If someone is serious about law school and their future they should find the time and prioritize a higher score, otherwise law school is probably wrong for them.

Yeah seriously. Law school is a huge financial and time commitment (most people give up 3 of the best years of their lives to go to law school), if you can't be bothered to retake some silly standardized test that tremendously impacts your future then you shouldn't go to law school.

Yes, this is a serious commitment. It is not something that you just wing and hope it works out in the end.

Honestly, I did what I thought was a shitload of prep (25 tests). It was like 3-4 hours per night every other night, I was done by 10 and drunk by 10:30. It's really not that difficult.

[jk148706]

Retake. Please retake. Take a year off, study, retake, reapply, profit. Shoot for 165+ and you'll be looking at fantastic options.

There is so much material on TLS to help out -- study guides, resources, other posters with advice, etc. I know it sucks, but you have to take the year off and retake. Your future self will thank you.

We splitters would kill for that gpa. Put it to good use for yourself.