UC Hastings($) v. Staying on WLs v. Retaking Forum

[churrochi]

151/3.85/Non-URM, K-JD. Asian, female, LGBTQ-identifying. Decent softs and all that stuff. From a large public university in NY. Nothing special.

Just got in off the WL at UC Hastings with $13k/yr. The Associate Dean told me that I have until Friday to decide if I want to keep my seat or not. So, while I normally brood over these things on my own and over a duration of time, I'm kind of strapped to make a decision quickly. I've registered for the LSAT twice, sat for it once (the other time I was absent due to a family emergency, which I addressed in an addendum). I'm also WLed at UCLA and Emory.

The thing is, I've been planning to taking the LSAT again in September (because $120k+ of debt scares me, unless it's from a T-20 school), but this acceptance was kind of a surprise. Prior to this, I withdrew offers from Northeastern, Cardozo, Hofstra, St. John's, CUNY, and a bunch of others I can't name off the top of my head. Right now, I'm stuck between just taking the offer, waiting out for UCLA/Emory, or just retaking the LSAT. I don't -want- to wait another year, but I understand the logic behind doing so.

My future career goals are honestly unclear to me (I know I want to do law, but I just don't know what kind of law I'd be good at; I interned at a pro-bono firm and from what I saw, I felt that the work suited me and was interesting to me as well). Though I do want to work in a settling that'll allow me to utilize my language skills (Japanese) in some way, shape, or form. I don't really have ties anywhere, but I would prefer to work in CA or NY.

In regards to COA, I will be taking out loans for tuition, but my parents are paying for my daily living expenses (rent/utilities/food).

[johnnyquest]

Don't waste that GPA. Retake.

[rad lulz]

.

[TheSpanishMain]

Don't waste that GPA. Retake.

Yup. There's basically no way to get a good offer with a 151. You gotta retake.

[churrochi]

Thanks for the insight, guys. Much appreciated.

If in the sad event that I only go up a few negligible points (4 or less), would that hurt my chances when I apply for the next cycle? I assume anything would be better than getting the same score again...or worse (but I refuse to think of that possibility unless it actually happens).

[jbagelboy]

Retake is only answer

[McAvoy]

Thanks for the insight, guys. Much appreciated.

If in the sad event that I only go up a few negligible points (4 or less), would that hurt my chances when I apply for the next cycle? I assume anything would be better than getting the same score again...or worse (but I refuse to think of that possibility unless it actually happens).

Don't have this mentality. Use our LSAT forum resources and really do this thing right. You'll have a good idea of what you're going to score going in, if you've prepped properly. Don't take it until you're ready for a serious improvement.

You've got a fantastic GPA that you absolutely cannot waste on near sticker at Hastttings. It's fine if you don't want biglaw and would prefer a regional, but you're still going to need to break close to ~165 to really get a good option for that route. Good luck!

[03152016]

This may shape up to be the most lop-sided poll in TLS history. Good luck with the retake OP.

[Yea All Right]

With your high GPA and an LSAT score with lots of room for improvement, the correct choice here is definitely to retake. Glad that you seem open to this route. With a good amount of correct studying, you should be able to break 160, good luck!

[The Dark Shepard]

Your goals seem more for West Coast, at least in my understanding, so definiely retake. 163-165 should you get you USC/UCLA at good $ and 170 probably gets you Berkley

[rivermaker]

Either retake or dont go to LS. Did you study hard for the LSAT? If so, how long?

[churrochi]

Either retake or dont go to LS. Did you study hard for the LSAT? If so, how long?

I studied for a little over two months, using Blueprint materials. In addition to this, I was also working part-time, taking summer classes to finish up my degree, and taking care of my dad who had just surgery. I wouldn't say I didn't study hard (I clocked in around 25 hrs/week of studying), but I certainly didn't study right. I wasn't reviewing any PTs I took, assessing what my strengths/weaknesses were, and was generally not in a good headspace to be studying granted the situation with my father, along with other personal issues. My initial diagnostic for the LSAT was 154, and I was PTing at 158-161 before I sat for the October exam.

I've already decided to retake the exam, much to the advice of everyone here on TLS, and have been studying for almost a month now. I feel infinitely more confident this time around (I can finish RC and LG with time to spare to look over work and am hoping to get my -4/5 for each section down even lower...though I am struggling with LR still), and am looking forward to a hopefully better application cycle this fall.

[rivermaker]

Anyone can get games to -0 to -2. Just get PT 1-40 and categorize the games by type. Then make like 3 copies of each game. Drill like 12 a day by type. After doing this for a couple weeks LG becomes second hand. Good luck!