Duke (90k) vs. retake and ??????? Forum

[KatyMarie]

. Thanks!

[twenty]

Frankly, Duke with 90k is pretty good. I'm always down for retake, especially with a 4.0, but damn.

[riverwater]

If you believe, if you really believe you can score a 172, nah... let's say 173, you're in consideration for full-rides. You could ED NU, or maybe get a Mordecai/Darrow/Dillard etc. But if you feel like you maxed out your score, Duke at 30K/yr is not a bad deal.

[KatyMarie]

Frankly, Duke with 90k is pretty good. I'm always down for retake, especially with a 4.0, but damn.

I mean, it's not like I'd necessarily be in a couch situation, but that is worse case scenario. Realistically, I might be able to find something better since I have work experience etc. I could probably go back to domestic work too (have worked live-in nanny position w/ autistic kids before which is still in pretty high demand).

I just hate to break up my resume now that I have something resembles legal work on it and I have a pretty good opportunity next year for law school....but over 150k in debt also scares the shit out of me.

[barrelofmonkeys]

What did you do to prep / how strongly do you feel you could improve?

I think if you think you can score a few more points, and if you can find some sort of fulfilling employment, then I vote retake.

I think the 172+ area opens up a LOT more doors, but 90k at Duke is not bad at all.

[thebobs1987]

Why don't you retake in June and see what happens? Deposit at Duke in the meantime.

Duke at 30k a year in scholarship isn't bad at all. You're actually in a solid position. The retake folks(which I am usually a part of) are pointed more at t14 at sticker or any regional over their median salary. Duke at 160 while scary isn't terrible. Relax, try in June to increase by a few points, if not, enjoy the triangle.

[KatyMarie]

If you believe, if you really believe you can score a 172, nah... let's say 173, you're in consideration for full-rides. You could ED NU, or maybe get a Mordecai/Darrow/Dillard etc. But if you feel like you maxed out your score, Duke at 30K/yr is not a bad deal.

I honestly have no idea. I've only taken the LSAT once, but I did study hard for it for at least 6 months (studied off and on for a year). Maybe I'm overly optimistic, but I do think I could get those kinds of scores if I were in the right circumstances, but I can't exactly start working part-time so I can just study for the LSAT, since I still need to pay for my apartment, food etc.

I'm a little caught...I'm kind of terrified by every option I have. I play tough sometimes, but I'm actually terrified of debt and at the same time, I can't imagine spend another year mooching off of someone else.

[KatyMarie]

What did you do to prep / how strongly do you feel you could improve?

I think if you think you can score a few more points, and if you can find some sort of fulfilling employment, then I vote retake.

I think the 172+ area opens up a LOT more doors, but 90k at Duke is not bad at all.

I did a combination of Powerscore and an LSAT prep course through my Ugrad course. I think I worked hard, but not as hard as I could have if I didn't have a 50 hr a week job to worry about for sure.

[twenty]

Instead of taking a year off on the front end + hoping you increase your LSAT score and get a better offer, you're taking a "year off" on the back end by doing what will probably end up being an extra year of biglaw. 150k from anywhere is kind of scary, but you're looking at three years max, probably two if you don't spend all your free money on crack. If you have some debt left over when you roll over to post-biglaw, hey.

I dunno, I'd pull the trigger on Duke, personally.

[KatyMarie]

Instead of taking a year off on the front end + hoping you increase your LSAT score and get a better offer, you're taking a "year off" on the back end by doing what will probably end up being an extra year of biglaw. 150k from anywhere is kind of scary, but you're looking at three years max, probably two if you don't spend all your free money on crack. If you have some debt left over when you roll over to post-biglaw, hey.

I dunno, I'd pull the trigger on Duke, personally.

Thanks. This makes me feel a lot better about just doing it this year. Luckily I don't spend all my free money on crack, so there's that


Just getting a little gun-shy when it comes to actually taking out loans because that's scary....but I guess it's always scary.

[riverwater]

If you believe, if you really believe you can score a 172, nah... let's say 173, you're in consideration for full-rides. You could ED NU, or maybe get a Mordecai/Darrow/Dillard etc. But if you feel like you maxed out your score, Duke at 30K/yr is not a bad deal.

I honestly have no idea. I've only taken the LSAT once, but I did study hard for it for at least 6 months (studied off and on for a year). Maybe I'm overly optimistic, but I do think I could get those kinds of scores if I were in the right circumstances, but I can't exactly start working part-time so I can just study for the LSAT, since I still need to pay for my apartment, food etc.

I'm a little caught...I'm kind of terrified by every option I have. I play tough sometimes, but I'm actually terrified of debt and at the same time, I can't imagine spend another year mooching off of someone else.

I totally understand. It would be nice if you could guarantee yourself a 173 by putting in x amount of effort. Instead, you have to roll the dice. That's scary. If I were you, I'd deposit at Duke and study like crazy--like CRAZY--for June. If you get a better score or think you can get a better one for Sept, reapply. If you're feeling unsure after June, go to Duke. It should be said that if you reapply with the same or a worse score, you may not get 30K again.

[KatyMarie]

If you believe, if you really believe you can score a 172, nah... let's say 173, you're in consideration for full-rides. You could ED NU, or maybe get a Mordecai/Darrow/Dillard etc. But if you feel like you maxed out your score, Duke at 30K/yr is not a bad deal.

I honestly have no idea. I've only taken the LSAT once, but I did study hard for it for at least 6 months (studied off and on for a year). Maybe I'm overly optimistic, but I do think I could get those kinds of scores if I were in the right circumstances, but I can't exactly start working part-time so I can just study for the LSAT, since I still need to pay for my apartment, food etc.

I'm a little caught...I'm kind of terrified by every option I have. I play tough sometimes, but I'm actually terrified of debt and at the same time, I can't imagine spend another year mooching off of someone else.

I totally understand. It would be nice if you could guarantee yourself a 173 by putting in x amount of effort. Instead, you have to roll the dice. That's scary. If I were you, I'd deposit at Duke and study like crazy--like CRAZY--for June. If you get a better score or think you can get a better one for Sept, reapply. If you're feeling unsure after June, go to Duke. It should be said that if you reapply with the same or a worse score, you may not get 30K again.

Definitely seems like the most sensible plan. I do feel like I have a good opportunity and don't want to waste it.