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Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 4:11 am
by Sac1990
Hello,

I turning 23 going on 24. I'm currently at a community college expecting to transfer and graduate from sacramento state as business major in 2018. My gpa is currently a 2.9 with 3.3 this semester with one withdrawal and I plan to clep some classes. I would love to attend a t14 school any advise. I'm also a senior airman in the usafr soon to be promoted to staff sergeant and a AA male. Ohh and I might graduate later because of a possible upcoming deployment. Should take extra reading classes, what schools are receptive, all advice is welcomed.

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 4:17 am
by chizzy
take your time and study for the LSAT. you should aim for a score of 170+

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 5:39 am
by drawstring
If you're not graduating for another four years I'd first focus as much as you can on getting that GPA up. A 2.9 is going to significantly limit your options, and bumping it up while you still have the chance will help your prospects a lot; the fewer courses you've taken the more of a difference you can make, so it's important to deal with your GPA before it's too late. To that end, I'd try to take the easiest courses you can rather than taking courses just because you think they may prepare you for law school, avoid taking too many classes at once, and put in as much effort as you can; seek out the help of professors and TAs, talk a lot in class if there are participation marks, and generally bust your ass. It may be painful now but it will pay off big time for the rest of your life.

As chizzy suggests, the LSAT is also very important, in fact it's probably the single most important aspect of an application. You could start studying now, but that may leave you burned-out if you don't plan on taking for a while and it would take away time from your undergrad studying; yu can retake the LSAT but you have one shot at undergrad, at least in terms of the GPA that law schools will consider. I'd put the LSAT off for a while, but once you've bumped up and solidified your GPA make sure to check out this section of the forum: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=6. It's filled with great resources and has helped many people boost theirs scores.

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 6:14 am
by w7ldcard
Sac1990 wrote:Hello,

I turning 23 going on 24. I'm currently at a community college expecting to transfer and graduate from sacramento state as business major in 2018. My gpa is currently a 2.9 with 3.3 this semester with one withdrawal and I plan to clep some classes. I would love to attend a t14 school any advise. I'm also a senior airman in the usafr soon to be promoted to staff sergeant and a AA male. Ohh and I might graduate later because of a possible upcoming deployment. Should take extra reading classes, what schools are receptive, all advice is welcomed.
I graduated Sac state and I am heading to law school in fall. Pm me I say you switch majors.

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 2:13 pm
by Sac1990
drawstring wrote:If you're not graduating for another four years I'd first focus as much as you can on getting that GPA up. A 2.9 is going to significantly limit your options, and bumping it up while you still have the chance will help your prospects a lot; the fewer courses you've taken the more of a difference you can make, so it's important to deal with your GPA before it's too late. To that end, I'd try to take the easiest courses you can rather than taking courses just because you think they may prepare you for law school, avoid taking too many classes at once, and put in as much effort as you can; seek out the help of professors and TAs, talk a lot in class if there are participation marks, and generally bust your ass. It may be painful now but it will pay off big time for the rest of your life.

As chizzy suggests, the LSAT is also very important, in fact it's probably the single most important aspect of an application. You could start studying now, but that may leave you burned-out if you don't plan on taking for a while and it would take away time from your undergrad studying; yu can retake the LSAT but you have one shot at undergrad, at least in terms of the GPA that law schools will consider. I'd put the LSAT off for a while, but once you've bumped up and solidified your GPA make sure to check out this section of the forum: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=6. It's filled with great resources and has helped many people boost theirs scores.
I spoke to a sac state counselor that went to law school. He said his buddy(bus major) struggled with the reading. He told me to think about that. He was a English major and the majority of the other students were also or political science majors(hence a lot time reading/developing reading and writing skills). I don't want that to be a problem for me so I thought about taking a couple of extra classes to improve my reading/writing a bit more. What do guys/gals think?

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 2:20 pm
by Sac1990
I'm want to appeal the w to get it erased will the effect my gpa?

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 5:07 pm
by Atmosphere
Sac1990 wrote:I'm want to appeal the w to get it erased will the effect my gpa?

Unless the W was punitive, it shouldn't have any effect.

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 12:22 am
by Sac1990
I'd like to attend columbia what do I gpa,LSAT and softs should I have?
I volunteer a lot received non combat awards for meritorious service in the usafr. Also how much do they take into account family background/upbringing?

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 1:20 am
by BlakcMajikc
Wait for as long as you can to finish your bachelors and take easy community college classes to bump up your LSAC gpa. Even if those classes dont count towards your degree, they count towards your LSAC gpa. PM me w/ questions.
drawstring wrote:If you're not graduating for another four years I'd first focus as much as you can on getting that GPA up. A 2.9 is going to significantly limit your options, and bumping it up while you still have the chance will help your prospects a lot; the fewer courses you've taken the more of a difference you can make, so it's important to deal with your GPA before it's too late. To that end, I'd try to take the easiest courses you can rather than taking courses just because you think they may prepare you for law school, avoid taking too many classes at once, and put in as much effort as you can; seek out the help of professors and TAs, talk a lot in class if there are participation marks, and generally bust your ass. It may be painful now but it will pay off big time for the rest of your life.

As chizzy suggests, the LSAT is also very important, in fact it's probably the single most important aspect of an application. You could start studying now, but that may leave you burned-out if you don't plan on taking for a while and it would take away time from your undergrad studying; yu can retake the LSAT but you have one shot at undergrad, at least in terms of the GPA that law schools will consider. I'd put the LSAT off for a while, but once you've bumped up and solidified your GPA make sure to check out this section of the forum: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=6. It's filled with great resources and has helped many people boost theirs scores.

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 4:17 am
by Sac1990
Update I now have a 3.4. Major is now history. I transfer 2016. I will be taking the test masters prep in the summer of 2017 before my senior year. Anymore advice? Scholarships?

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 11:31 pm
by DiniMae
I was enlisted in the military and am currently applying. I think you should definitely focus on raising your GPA up as HIGH as possible. Even if you have to take more credits than required, you should do it.

As for CLS, you may want to consider where you transfer to. Any reason why you can't relocate? Columbia has a School of General Studies which you would likely qualify for.

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 12:45 am
by Sac1990
DiniMae wrote:I was enlisted in the military and am currently applying. I think you should definitely focus on raising your GPA up as HIGH as possible. Even if you have to take more credits than required, you should do it.

As for CLS, you may want to consider where you transfer to. Any reason why you can't relocate? Columbia has a School of General Studies which you would likely qualify for.
I want to save my gi bill for law school. Sac state tutition is only 6,000 a year. If you dont mind how has your experience been? grades? Lsat? Military boost? URM boost? and where do you plan to apply?

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 4:47 pm
by DiniMae
Sac1990 wrote:
DiniMae wrote:I was enlisted in the military and am currently applying. I think you should definitely focus on raising your GPA up as HIGH as possible. Even if you have to take more credits than required, you should do it.

As for CLS, you may want to consider where you transfer to. Any reason why you can't relocate? Columbia has a School of General Studies which you would likely qualify for.
I want to save my gi bill for law school. Sac state tutition is only 6,000 a year. If you dont mind how has your experience been? grades? Lsat? Military boost? URM boost? and where do you plan to apply?
Talk to me in 4 months and I will let you know

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 1:38 pm
by FairchildFLT
DiniMae wrote:
Sac1990 wrote:
DiniMae wrote:I was enlisted in the military and am currently applying. I think you should definitely focus on raising your GPA up as HIGH as possible. Even if you have to take more credits than required, you should do it.

As for CLS, you may want to consider where you transfer to. Any reason why you can't relocate? Columbia has a School of General Studies which you would likely qualify for.
I want to save my gi bill for law school. Sac state tutition is only 6,000 a year. If you dont mind how has your experience been? grades? Lsat? Military boost? URM boost? and where do you plan to apply?
Talk to me in 4 months and I will let you know
+1
AA Male active military applicant. Will let you know how my cycle goes as well.

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 6:52 pm
by Sac1990
@FairchildFLT
@Dinimae
How did things go? Offers? Schollys? Acceptances?

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 11:12 pm
by FairchildFLT
Sac1990 wrote:@FairchildFLT
@Dinimae
How did things go? Offers? Schollys? Acceptances?
I got into UT with a 3.41 and a 155 LSAT. No scholarship, but I'm using my GI Bill to pay for it anyway.

Also I'm on the Chicago wait list ...STILL under review at UVA, and dinged every where else that matters. If I wasn't GI Bill eligible it would be prudent to retake the LSAT. But I wanted to go to a law school in an area that I actually want to practice. So UT for free works out.

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2015 2:23 am
by DiniMae
Sac1990 wrote:@FairchildFLT
@Dinimae
How did things go? Offers? Schollys? Acceptances?
PM'd

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2015 3:09 am
by UnicornHunter
head on over to the Veteran's thread duder.

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:12 am
by Sac1990
FairchildFLT wrote:
Sac1990 wrote:@FairchildFLT
@Dinimae
How did things go? Offers? Schollys? Acceptances?
I got into UT with a 3.41 and a 155 LSAT. No scholarship, but I'm using my GI Bill to pay for it anyway.

Also I'm on the Chicago wait list ...STILL under review at UVA, and dinged every where else that matters. If I wasn't GI Bill eligible it would be prudent to retake the LSAT. But I wanted to go to a law school in an area that I actually want to practice. So UT for free works out.
Congrats! I'm guessing you were dinged because of the low lsat? Is it hard to find housing that will take your bah as income? I know your military, did you have additional soft that made you stand out? And what kind of law do you want to practice?

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 11:33 am
by FairchildFLT
Sac1990 wrote:
FairchildFLT wrote:
Sac1990 wrote:@FairchildFLT
@Dinimae
How did things go? Offers? Schollys? Acceptances?
I got into UT with a 3.41 and a 155 LSAT. No scholarship, but I'm using my GI Bill to pay for it anyway.

Also I'm on the Chicago wait list ...STILL under review at UVA, and dinged every where else that matters. If I wasn't GI Bill eligible it would be prudent to retake the LSAT. But I wanted to go to a law school in an area that I actually want to practice. So UT for free works out.
Congrats! I'm guessing you were dinged because of the low lsat? Is it hard to find housing that will take your bah as income? I know your military, did you have additional soft that made you stand out? And what kind of law do you want to practice?
Yeah I would think my low LSAT score was the biggest factors in all my dings. If I wasn't 100% GI Bill covered I would retake.

I've never had trouble with getting anyone to take BAH. It's dispersed as cash to my account, then it's just like any other money.

As far as softs go I'm a male AA URM and active duty. There are a bunch of other small factors but nothing I think that tipped the scale more than those two.

My military work background is in acquisitions. So I would like to work in a firm with a M and A practice and/or government contracts.

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 11:56 am
by Sac1990
FairchildFLT wrote:
Sac1990 wrote:
FairchildFLT wrote:
Sac1990 wrote:@FairchildFLT
@Dinimae
How did things go? Offers? Schollys? Acceptances?
I got into UT with a 3.41 and a 155 LSAT. No scholarship, but I'm using my GI Bill to pay for it anyway.

Also I'm on the Chicago wait list ...STILL under review at UVA, and dinged every where else that matters. If I wasn't GI Bill eligible it would be prudent to retake the LSAT. But I wanted to go to a law school in an area that I actually want to practice. So UT for free works out.
Congrats! I'm guessing you were dinged because of the low lsat? Is it hard to find housing that will take your bah as income? I know your military, did you have additional soft that made you stand out? And what kind of law do you want to practice?
Yeah I would think my low LSAT score was the biggest factors in all my dings. If I wasn't 100% GI Bill covered I would retake.

I've never had trouble with getting anyone to take BAH. It's dispersed as cash to my account, then it's just like any other money.

As far as softs go I'm a male AA URM and active duty. There are a bunch of other small factors but nothing I think that tipped the scale more than those two.

My military work background is in acquisitions. So I would like to work in a firm with a M and A practice and/or government contracts.
Thanks

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 5:23 pm
by DiniMae
Sac1990 wrote:
FairchildFLT wrote:
Sac1990 wrote:@FairchildFLT
@Dinimae
How did things go? Offers? Schollys? Acceptances?
I got into UT with a 3.41 and a 155 LSAT. No scholarship, but I'm using my GI Bill to pay for it anyway.

Also I'm on the Chicago wait list ...STILL under review at UVA, and dinged every where else that matters. If I wasn't GI Bill eligible it would be prudent to retake the LSAT. But I wanted to go to a law school in an area that I actually want to practice. So UT for free works out.
Congrats! I'm guessing you were dinged because of the low lsat? Is it hard to find housing that will take your bah as income? I know your military, did you have additional soft that made you stand out? And what kind of law do you want to practice?
Re: housing....Apts will treat it as any other income coming in. Def don't do set aside unless it's a really good deal. If you're on a budget check out grad housing or any partnerships through the school. Also, depending on the city, some apt companies are required to have a certain percentage saved for lower income brackets -- which FT students usually meet.

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 3:55 pm
by Sac1990
Thank you for the response.

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 10:57 pm
by Sac1990
So I got some good news. Cornell's ILR and UPenn's LPS programs sent me mail. I'm applying to both for the fall 2016 semester. Spring 2016 is my last semester at my CC. What do you guys/gals know about either program? Which do you think is better for law? And are they worth the price tags? I get the gi bill (60%). My gpa is about a 3.3/3.4. Not saying I'm automatically in at either one. Thanks

Re: Advice for aa undergraduate usafr

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2015 6:22 pm
by DiniMae
Sac1990 wrote:So I got some good news. Cornell's ILR and UPenn's LPS programs sent me mail. I'm applying to both for the fall 2016 semester. Spring 2016 is my last semester at my CC. What do you guys/gals know about either program? Which do you think is better for law? And are they worth the price tags? I get the gi bill (60%). My gpa is about a 3.3/3.4. Not saying I'm automatically in at either one. Thanks
100% do it! Not even kidding