Duke vs. year off? Forum

[bkraut1]

Option 1: go to Duke - COA is about 160k (all loans - whatever I make over the summer working). My goals are NYC BigLaw and/or fed clerkship. K-JD if I attend. GPA: 3.72 and LSAT: 169.
Option 2: corporate paralegal position at Latham & Watkins in NYC.

I have taken the LSAT twice, and I applied very late in the cycle. My GPA is also slightly higher now that I've officially graduated summa cum laude. I was rejected from YHS, Chicago and Berkeley, WL at Columbia, Penn, UVA, NW, Michigan, and Cornell. The idea is that taking a gap year could give me a chance to retake, shoot for a ~173 and apply early in the next cycle. I really like Duke and it was one of my top choices, but I don't know that any school is worth 160k. Working for a year or two could also give me a chance to enhance my resume and save money to take out less loans for law school when I do attend.

Thanks.

[BigZuck]

What did you get at Duke? 90K?

90K at Duke is pretty solid but I would roll with the gap year here I think.

[PDX4343]

Duke for 160k is a pretty solid option. But you have some wiggle room with your LSAT and a nice position lined up if you decide not to go to law school this year. I think you would have even better options than Duke at 160k next year after retaking to get a better score and getting some solid work experience. NU's ED scholly might even be an option if you could get into the low 170's. It sounds like you're leaning towards taking the time off anyways.

[bkraut1]

Yea Duke gave me $87,000 which, based on the scholarship numbers, is a fairly solid scholarship offer (from what I can tell).

With respect to the LSAT, I'm certain I can break 170. I was PT'ing in the 169-174 range pretty consistently. The gap year is attractive to me because I would probably get into more T14s if I were to apply again, and might get into Chicago or Columbia, but honestly Duke would still be one of my top choices. I guess it's really only a question of whether or not Duke or Penn would offer me more money next cycle if I got 2-3 more points on the LSAT. From what I'm told, scholarship offer amounts are somewhat unpredictable so it's not as if 2-3 points higher would guarantee Duke for cheaper.

[redsox]

I'd take the year off and not spend it as a paralegal.

[BigZuck]

Yea Duke gave me $87,000 which, based on the scholarship numbers, is a fairly solid scholarship offer (from what I can tell).

With respect to the LSAT, I'm certain I can break 170. I was PT'ing in the 169-174 range pretty consistently. The gap year is attractive to me because I would probably get into more T14s if I were to apply again, and might get into Chicago or Columbia, but honestly Duke would still be one of my top choices. I guess it's really only a question of whether or not Duke or Penn would offer me more money next cycle if I got 2-3 more points on the LSAT. From what I'm told, scholarship offer amounts are somewhat unpredictable so it's not as if 2-3 points higher would guarantee Duke for cheaper.

What does mylsn.info say?

[anyriotgirl]

you should take the job.

In addition to the chance for an extra retake, it will give you something to talk about in future interviews, and more importantly allow you to get an idea of what working at a firm is like.

[ymmv]

you should take the job.

In addition to the chance for an extra retake, it will give you something to talk about in future interviews, and more importantly allow you to get an idea of what working at a firm is like.

[jingosaur]

Duke with 87k is pretty solid, but you could probably have a much better cycle by applying early and using your third take. A few more LSAT points will give you a good shot at full rides from the back end of the T14, decent money from CCN, and maybe a shot at HLS.

I had very similar numbers to you with 2 LSAT tries, used my third take, jumped from a 170 to a 175, and got into HLS shortly afterwards.

[03152016]

Unquestionably option 2. I'd do it for the work experience alone, but when you add the benefit of a retake (and potentially CCN $$/Lower T14 $$$), it's a no-brainer.