BU w/120k or GULC w/30k Forum

[ladybug92]

I am currently committed to attending BU next year and was awarded a scholarship for $43k per year. However, earlier this week I was accepted off the preferred wait list to GULC and received a merit scholarship for $10k per year. I have yet to apply for financial aid (I was told I have to wait five days). If I receive around $25k per year from GULC in need-based aid, which would cancel out my merit scholarship, do you think I should stay committed to attending BU or deposit to GULC instead? (I chose $25k because I think that's as low as I would be willing to go considering the astronomical cost of GULC at sticker. I will be financing any costs after scholarships with loans, so I do not think it is a good idea for me to commit to GULC without at least that much.) Or, should I wait a year and just retake?

I am interested in biglaw (possibly with an opportunity to work abroad) but would also be content working in gov because of GULC's connections. I am originally from CA, but at this point do not mind either staying on the east coast after I graduate or coming back to CA (because I would be able to show ties).

3.9X GPA from a top regional university, 163 LSAT. Still on the WL at UVA and Columbia (although I know it is a long shot this late in the game, especially considering my LSAT score.)

Any advice would be appreciated! I have about $40k in loans from undergrad and am somewhat debt adverse so I have been struggling with whether or not to attend a better school for better employment prospects or take the money.

[cron1834]

First, retake the LSAT. A 3.9x is too good to waste on a 163. Literally half a dozen multiple choice questions could change your life.

Second, don't go to BU without any ties to Boston. It's not a national school, and you'll be last in line for jobs if you go there.

Third, don't go to GULC unless you get a huge finaid package. Like, 3/4s tuition or thereabouts. Even 25% tuition at GULC plus COL in DC is a big chunk of change.

[ladybug92]

My only concern is that I do not know if I would be able to do much better on the LSAT, given that I studied pretty much non-stop for six months. I have a history of poor standardized test performance. Is there any way to overcome that?

[cron1834]

Go to the LSAT forums here ... there are loads of advice threads, and "guides" to improving your performance. I'm the wrong person to give advice, as I did worse on my retake, but there are plenty of great test takers and test tutors over in the forum. I don't think everyone can get a 17X, but I'd bet that you can improve.

Wasting 6 months sucks, but wasting a quarter-million dollars and a career sucks worse!

[ladybug92]

That's a very good point - thank you.

[cron1834]

Of course.

If you were FROM Boston and could network in Boston, I'd say that $43k/yr off of tuition in Boston is far from a terrible deal. But BU for a Californian seems like a bad move, as you'll be behind Stanford, Berk, UCLA, USC, etc in CA and behind all of the locals in Mass for jobs. GULC is a reasonable school, but it's soooo expensive to attend and live there that you need a fat scholarship. Which you could get, with about 6-7 more questions on the test. Unless you're really old, like me, there's literally Zero downside to waiting until next year.

[Hutz_and_Goodman]

Really not close

Imagine this choice:

do 6 months in a minimum security prison or 3 years at Georgetown at that price?


lock me up

[ladybug92]

Haha, that's what I was afraid of. I don't know why I am so afraid of retaking, probably because I've told everyone that I'm going to law school next year and they all seem happy for me and I would dread having to explain to everyone why I am now deciding not to go, which I know is a STUPID reason to commit to law school when I could wait a year. But I can't help but feel like I'm settling.

I edited the poll to include a retake option, which I am now extremely considering. Waiting a year does not sound too bad, compared to my other options.

[goldenflash19]

OP, I was in a very similar situation to you two years ago except I had maxed out on retakes. I was dreading telling people I wasn't going, too ("Oh, I'm sure you'll pass your LSATS next time if you study hard" was the common response), but once I realized these people wouldn't be the ones hiring me or wouldn't help me out on my loan payments when I was unemployed, it became a lot easier. TLS convinced me to retake, I waited a year, and busted my ass with noodleyone's guide. I went from almost attending USC with $15k a year two years ago to starting at Stanford next month. You owe it to yourself to retake. Best of luck!

[jbagelboy]

you will regret it for years if you don't retake the LSAT. I retook and hit 99th+ %ile and some days I still even regret not retaking a third time for 99.9th %ile to cop additional $.

but between these options, Boston University.

[lunchmeat]

I had a 3.9 and a 162 LSAT and was also committed to going to BU this fall (with a lower scholarship) I retook the test for the third time in June and got a 170. I immediately came off multiple waitlists, and I'm now going to Northwestern with a 150k scholarship. Do yourself the favor and retake!!

[ymmv]

you will regret it for years if you don't retake the LSAT. I retook and hit 99th+ %ile and some days I still even regret not retaking a third time for 99.9th %ile to cop additional $.

but between these options, Boston University.

[NotASpecialSnowflake]

Like everyone else has said, retake. I studied hard for six months but didn't feel ready and got a poor score. I then studied for two months and got a better score. Point is, time and effort does not equal success. What materials did you use?

[FSK]

You have the GPA for HYS. Retake.

[ladybug92]

I used the Powerscore Bibles and did basically every practice test that has been released. I think that this time around I would benefit from guided instruction and am considering taking a prep course. I have heard good things about TestMasters, does anyone have any other suggestions?

[WheatThins]

Swallow your pride and retake

[timbs4339]

Yeah retake. Worst case scenario you have the exact same options (preliminary LSAT numbers show a drop from last year, but who knows how much). Tell people that you got into a good school but it's really expensive and you wanted to retake for more money because that's what people with good judgment do. If they don't believe you fuck em'.

[Informative]

Re-take is the credited response. However, GULC is a T14 and a decent option if you can keep your debt down.

[03152016]

Re-take is the credited response. However, GULC is a T14 and a decent option if you can keep your debt down.

yea but considering he's only getting 30k out of gulc
and has 40k in ug debt
it's a terrible outcome for 3.9x

if i was deadset on not retaking and i wanted boston
i'd go with bu in this scenario

but op should obv retake
there's a better school in boston school he should be aiming for with that 3.9x

[Ti Malice]

OP is a "she," FYI.

Love the retake success stories in this thread. Take the class and retake, OP. Good luck!

[PourMeTea]

Post removed.

[SteelPenguin]

Haha, that's what I was afraid of. I don't know why I am so afraid of retaking, probably because I've told everyone that I'm going to law school next year and they all seem happy for me and I would dread having to explain to everyone why I am now deciding not to go, which I know is a STUPID reason to commit to law school when I could wait a year. But I can't help but feel like I'm settling.

I edited the poll to include a retake option, which I am now extremely considering. Waiting a year does not sound too bad, compared to my other options.

I think all of us retakers hate having to do this, but for you this should be a bit easier. You can mention that you turned down GULC, so it's not like you "failed" this year.

Seriously though, spend the next few months studying for September/December, write another solid PS, and then enjoy the time you have before school. I studied for my first take for around 5 months and ended up with a 165 and GULC at sticker, but another 3-4 months of studying got me a 170 and much, much better options this cycle.

The idea of retaking and reapplying sucks at first, but the time goes fast enough.