OSU v. Michigan State v. Defer Forum

[nana2015]

I'm from Ohio, and wanting to stay in Ohio, but I don't think I can afford to attend OSU. They gave me a $10,000 a year scholarship, but I would still end up paying about $35,000 a year (which is ridiculous).

Recently, MSU gave me more money than they initially offered. I would only have to pay $9,000 a year. BUT, their reputation sucks.

I'm visiting both schools, with my last visit tomorrow.

One of my advisors recommended deferring a year to get my LSAT score higher and to save money, but I really didn't plan on this.

Advice?

[itascot1992]

defer and retake

[ilikebaseball]

I'm from Ohio, and wanting to stay in Ohio, but I don't think I can afford to attend OSU. They gave me a $10,000 a year scholarship, but I would still end up paying about $35,000 a year (which is ridiculous).

Recently, MSU gave me more money than they initially offered. I would only have to pay $9,000 a year. BUT, their reputation sucks.

I'm visiting both schools, with my last visit tomorrow.

One of my advisors recommended deferring a year to get my LSAT score higher and to save money, but I really didn't plan on this.

Advice?

definitely defer. MSU isn't going to give you the outcome you're looking for. OSU isn't a bad option for Ohio, but for that price, its worth it to defer. Take the June LSAT, apply early, and if you have to, retake one last time in October. You should get an increase from OSU (higher LSAT, earlier application, and decline in medians) and it will make much more economic sense to you. It will TOTALLY be worth it. Get a job, and save up in the meantime. If you save up to cover living expenses or something like that over the year, then its definitely a worthwhile option.

[Winston1984]

Shocked an adviser suggested such a solid plan.

[cron1834]

Unless I'm misunderstanding something, don't defer admission, just withdraw your apps.

[hearsay77]

What are your stats? Just curious but I'm pretty sure the answer will be take a year off and retake

[goldenflash19]

Your adviser actually gave you great advice (a rarity among pre-law advisers).

Both schools are way too expensive here. I'm assuming "only" paying $9000 tuition at MSU is for tuition, so you have to add on COL to the picture too. This will easily put you over 75K in debt at graduation, way too much for MSU.

If you want to stay in Ohio, your only options really are to go to OSU for cheap or go to a T14 + maybe a few strong midwestern regionals to have a good shot. Even OSU has so-so job prospects. Retaking will help a ton while also giving you the chance to get work and life experience. Good luck.

Sincerely,
A Fellow Ohioan

[KMart]

Shocked an adviser suggested such a solid plan.

+1 .

However by defer I think the advisor should mean "withdraw". Deferring locks you in for attending the subsequent year. That is not something you should do.

[nana2015]

My apologies, my advisor did mean withdraw. The totals I included do contain cost of living . I have already taken the LSAT twice. I scored a 151 June 14 and a 156 Sept 14. I was practicing much higher. My GPA is a 3.7 and going up at the end of this semester. I'm dead set on going to law school. I've already taken the LSAT twice and if I withdraw then I want to get next cycle apps in early. This means I would have to take the June test, which I don't know if that gives me enough time to properly prepare.

[cron1834]

Definitely study hard for an October retake and withdraw. You're on the right track.

[Nomo]

Withdraw your applications. Make straight A's this semester. Study harder for the LSAT. Reapply.

It sounds like you've already got in-state residency. If that's wrong then definitely move to Ohio and get residency.

[BigZuck]

This adviser deserves some sort of recognition for a job well done.

Definitely retake/reapply

[Mack.Hambleton]

defer and retake