Getting Cold Feet... Need Advice
Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2015 11:33 am
.
Law School Discussion Forums
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=252093
You might get better advice w/ more information. What school were you going to attend and what school did you just get off the waitlist at?nch2092 wrote:Recently got pulled from the WL with $$$ at a top 50. I quit my job, signed a lease and was ready to go. I just got a call yesterday from another school I have been waitlisted at pretty much telling me I can expect close to a full-ride if I wait a year. The call is making me rethink everything and I am wondering if I should apply for next cycle. I took the LSAT for a third and final time in June and improved by a few points so my application looks much different.
-Highest LSAT: low 160's
-GPA: 3.4 (huge upward trend)
-Grad program (top 3 school) 4.0
-2 years work experience
-Goals: gunning for a job with top $ to pay off loans or clerkship
-Lack of strong ties anywhere
Will I be that much better off if I went from high 150's in the last cycle to low 160's in the upcoming cycle? I have no idea if I will be able to find meaningful work if I take another year; but, I realize in the grand scheme of things, if I have to work at a job that is meaningless for another year, it could be a small price to pay. Thoughts?
Qft. It is unlikely you'll get a high paying job out of a random T1 school. Since that is the case, I'd prioritize low/no debt over everything else and be comfortable working a state gov/PD/DA/nonprofit-type job in your school's region.fredfred wrote:Just fyi the odds of getting a top paying job or clerkship from a top 50 school are extremely small unless it is a t14 or other strong regional (Vandy, Texas, USC, etc.).
Yes I realize my chances, and prioritizing low/no debt is the objective. Taking this into consideration my biggest question is whether or not waiting one more year and applying early in the next cycle will even matter that much. A score in the low 160's could give me a stronger chance at stronger regional schools; but, I would likely be looking at less money assuming I get into stronger regional schools. I am still waitlisted at Emory and another top regional school, I would like to believe that if I was placed on WL at these places with an original score in the upper 150's, I would stand a decent chance of admission if I applied day 1 of next cycle with my score now in the low 160's. I realize this last part is pure speculation, but now I am dealing with "what ifs" and I am trying to think it through before it is too late.Zero99 wrote:Qft. It is unlikely you'll get a high paying job out of a random T1 school. Since that is the case, I'd prioritize low/no debt over everything else and be comfortable working a state gov/PD/DA/nonprofit-type job in your school's region.fredfred wrote:Just fyi the odds of getting a top paying job or clerkship from a top 50 school are extremely small unless it is a t14 or other strong regional (Vandy, Texas, USC, etc.).
Retake a third time then. I was like you, got a high 150s, then a low 160s score first two times. Got into strong regionals with $$$, decided to retake one last time. Got mid 170s, got into mid t14 just the past few weeks with lots of $$$$$. That would be my advice.nch2092 wrote:Yes I realize my chances, and prioritizing low/no debt is the objective. Taking this into consideration my biggest question is whether or not waiting one more year and applying early in the next cycle will even matter that much. A score in the low 160's could give me a stronger chance at stronger regional schools; but, I would likely be looking at less money assuming I get into stronger regional schools. I am still waitlisted at Emory and another top regional school, I would like to believe that if I was placed on WL at these places with an original score in the upper 150's, I would stand a decent chance of admission if I applied day 1 of next cycle with my score now in the low 160's. I realize this last part is pure speculation, but now I am dealing with "what ifs" and I am trying to think it through before it is too late.Zero99 wrote:Qft. It is unlikely you'll get a high paying job out of a random T1 school. Since that is the case, I'd prioritize low/no debt over everything else and be comfortable working a state gov/PD/DA/nonprofit-type job in your school's region.fredfred wrote:Just fyi the odds of getting a top paying job or clerkship from a top 50 school are extremely small unless it is a t14 or other strong regional (Vandy, Texas, USC, etc.).
Planning on Tulane w/ $$$stasg wrote:You might get better advice w/ more information. What school were you going to attend and what school did you just get off the waitlist at?nch2092 wrote:Recently got pulled from the WL with $$$ at a top 50. I quit my job, signed a lease and was ready to go. I just got a call yesterday from another school I have been waitlisted at pretty much telling me I can expect close to a full-ride if I wait a year. The call is making me rethink everything and I am wondering if I should apply for next cycle. I took the LSAT for a third and final time in June and improved by a few points so my application looks much different.
-Highest LSAT: low 160's
-GPA: 3.4 (huge upward trend)
-Grad program (top 3 school) 4.0
-2 years work experience
-Goals: gunning for a job with top $ to pay off loans or clerkship
-Lack of strong ties anywhere
Will I be that much better off if I went from high 150's in the last cycle to low 160's in the upcoming cycle? I have no idea if I will be able to find meaningful work if I take another year; but, I realize in the grand scheme of things, if I have to work at a job that is meaningless for another year, it could be a small price to pay. Thoughts?
I wish I could I was PTing much higher in the 170's for my last take and unfortunately jaw surgery may have affected the score. Either way I have taken it 3 times, I do not believe in excuses, and I can't rewind the clocks, so I am stuck w/ my score unless I wait 2 years which I am not willing to do.fredfred wrote:Retake a third time then. I was like you, got a high 150s, then a low 160s score first two times. Got into strong regionals with $$$, decided to retake one last time. Got mid 170s, got into mid t14 just the past few weeks with lots of $$$$$. That would be my advice.nch2092 wrote:Yes I realize my chances, and prioritizing low/no debt is the objective. Taking this into consideration my biggest question is whether or not waiting one more year and applying early in the next cycle will even matter that much. A score in the low 160's could give me a stronger chance at stronger regional schools; but, I would likely be looking at less money assuming I get into stronger regional schools. I am still waitlisted at Emory and another top regional school, I would like to believe that if I was placed on WL at these places with an original score in the upper 150's, I would stand a decent chance of admission if I applied day 1 of next cycle with my score now in the low 160's. I realize this last part is pure speculation, but now I am dealing with "what ifs" and I am trying to think it through before it is too late.Zero99 wrote:Qft. It is unlikely you'll get a high paying job out of a random T1 school. Since that is the case, I'd prioritize low/no debt over everything else and be comfortable working a state gov/PD/DA/nonprofit-type job in your school's region.fredfred wrote:Just fyi the odds of getting a top paying job or clerkship from a top 50 school are extremely small unless it is a t14 or other strong regional (Vandy, Texas, USC, etc.).
Ah sorry about the surgery man. That sucks. Its a hard decision but I would reapply the first day possible. Write really strong essays for each school (i.e. Why ND for instance) and try again. I had similar numbers so you can pm me if you want.nch2092 wrote:I wish I could I was PTing much higher in the 170's for my last take and unfortunately jaw surgery may have affected the score. Either way I have taken it 3 times, I do not believe in excuses, and I can't rewind the clocks, so I am stuck w/ my score unless I wait 2 years which I am not willing to do.fredfred wrote:Retake a third time then. I was like you, got a high 150s, then a low 160s score first two times. Got into strong regionals with $$$, decided to retake one last time. Got mid 170s, got into mid t14 just the past few weeks with lots of $$$$$. That would be my advice.nch2092 wrote:Yes I realize my chances, and prioritizing low/no debt is the objective. Taking this into consideration my biggest question is whether or not waiting one more year and applying early in the next cycle will even matter that much. A score in the low 160's could give me a stronger chance at stronger regional schools; but, I would likely be looking at less money assuming I get into stronger regional schools. I am still waitlisted at Emory and another top regional school, I would like to believe that if I was placed on WL at these places with an original score in the upper 150's, I would stand a decent chance of admission if I applied day 1 of next cycle with my score now in the low 160's. I realize this last part is pure speculation, but now I am dealing with "what ifs" and I am trying to think it through before it is too late.Zero99 wrote:Qft. It is unlikely you'll get a high paying job out of a random T1 school. Since that is the case, I'd prioritize low/no debt over everything else and be comfortable working a state gov/PD/DA/nonprofit-type job in your school's region.fredfred wrote:Just fyi the odds of getting a top paying job or clerkship from a top 50 school are extremely small unless it is a t14 or other strong regional (Vandy, Texas, USC, etc.).
Mack.Hambleton wrote:Your goals do not make sense with those schools. Retake or don't go. Maybe use your degree from a top three school to find a job
what does "top 3" grad program meanHornet2011 wrote:Mack.Hambleton wrote:Your goals do not make sense with those schools. Retake or don't go. Maybe use your degree from a top three school to find a job
I agree. I totally looked over the part of a top 3 grad degree. Admittedly though Op's employability depends on what sort of program he / she did.