Yeah, my college's Magna cutoff was 3.75 when I graduated; had over 150c undergrad. University Of Pennsylvania would be a bit of a stretch for me, especially after a dismal LSAT showing on my first attempt. I'll work harder this time, take the exam in December, and hopefully do better!gnomgnomuch wrote:IWantToBeAFarmer wrote:ThxA. Nony Mouse wrote:Check out mylsn.info for typical numbers.
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 5&t=251038
Much more interactive thread above. My GPA wasn't as high as this guys, but I graduated Magna Cum Laude so it sounds like it's going to come down to LSAT performance on my 2nd and perhaps, 3rd attempts.
If you graduated Magna that means your GPA should be around 3.7 at the least (min cutoff at my school for Magna was a 3.75, but it varies). So, hit the books, and hard. Work your ass off, invest in a class, in every preptest in anything possible to go get a 170 LSAT. Then, go to a school like Upenn, instead of Drexel.
Seriously, just look at LST and you'll see that going to Drexel on anything on a full scholarship (with no stipulations) is just a bad decision.
Long Story Short - Need Some Advice. Forum
- IWantToBeAFarmer
- Posts: 408
- Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2015 7:58 pm
Re: Long Story Short - Need Some Advice.
Last edited by IWantToBeAFarmer on Wed Aug 05, 2015 11:25 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- IWantToBeAFarmer
- Posts: 408
- Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2015 7:58 pm
- gnomgnomuch
- Posts: 540
- Joined: Thu Dec 13, 2012 11:34 pm
Re: Long Story Short - Need Some Advice.
IWantToBeAFarmer wrote:Yeah, my college's Magna cutoff was 3.75 when I graduated; had over 150c undergrad. University Of Pennsylvania would be a bit of a stretch for me, especially after a dismal LSAT showing on my first attempt. I'll work harder this time, take the exam in December, and hopefully do better!gnomgnomuch wrote:IWantToBeAFarmer wrote:ThxA. Nony Mouse wrote:Check out mylsn.info for typical numbers.
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 5&t=251038
Much more interactive thread above. My GPA wasn't as high as this guys, but I graduated Magna Cum Laude so it sounds like it's going to come down to LSAT performance on my 2nd and perhaps, 3rd attempts.
If you graduated Magna that means your GPA should be around 3.7 at the least (min cutoff at my school for Magna was a 3.75, but it varies). So, hit the books, and hard. Work your ass off, invest in a class, in every preptest in anything possible to go get a 170 LSAT. Then, go to a school like Upenn, instead of Drexel.
Seriously, just look at LST and you'll see that going to Drexel on anything on a full scholarship (with no stipulations) is just a bad decision.
Trust me, don't take it until you start scoring in the 160's at the least. Law schools like at your highest LSAT for the most part, a 3.75/ high 160's gets you a lot of money at some solid schools and t-14 acceptances. Upenn is def not out of the equation.
- IWantToBeAFarmer
- Posts: 408
- Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2015 7:58 pm
Re: Long Story Short - Need Some Advice.
gnomgnomuch wrote:IWantToBeAFarmer wrote:Yeah, my college's Magna cutoff was 3.75 when I graduated; had over 150c undergrad. University Of Pennsylvania would be a bit of a stretch for me, especially after a dismal LSAT showing on my first attempt. I'll work harder this time, take the exam in December, and hopefully do better!gnomgnomuch wrote:IWantToBeAFarmer wrote:ThxA. Nony Mouse wrote:Check out mylsn.info for typical numbers.
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 5&t=251038
Much more interactive thread above. My GPA wasn't as high as this guys, but I graduated Magna Cum Laude so it sounds like it's going to come down to LSAT performance on my 2nd and perhaps, 3rd attempts.
If you graduated Magna that means your GPA should be around 3.7 at the least (min cutoff at my school for Magna was a 3.75, but it varies). So, hit the books, and hard. Work your ass off, invest in a class, in every preptest in anything possible to go get a 170 LSAT. Then, go to a school like Upenn, instead of Drexel.
Seriously, just look at LST and you'll see that going to Drexel on anything on a full scholarship (with no stipulations) is just a bad decision.
Trust me, don't take it until you start scoring in the 160's at the least. Law schools like at your highest LSAT for the most part, a 3.75/ high 160's gets you a lot of money at some solid schools and t-14 acceptances. Upenn is def not out of the equation.

-
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2012 9:16 pm
Re: Long Story Short - Need Some Advice.
Being a public defender, especially in a city like Philly, is not a 50 hour a week job. And the Philly PD is one of the most competitive offices in the country. They get hundreds of applicants for every open position. You need to be shooting for a top 20 law school and focusing on doing nothing but PD work from now until you graduate to even have a chance. And I'd have backup plans, because it's more likely than not that you won't get hired there. Especially since Philly has had several hiring freezes in the last few years.
Want to continue reading?
Register now to search topics and post comments!
Absolutely FREE!
Already a member? Login
- IWantToBeAFarmer
- Posts: 408
- Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2015 7:58 pm
Re: Long Story Short - Need Some Advice.
Okay.aelzbp wrote:Being a public defender, especially in a city like Philly, is not a 50 hour a week job. And the Philly PD is one of the most competitive offices in the country. They get hundreds of applicants for every open position. You need to be shooting for a top 20 law school and focusing on doing nothing but PD work from now until you graduate to even have a chance. And I'd have backup plans, because it's more likely than not that you won't get hired there. Especially since Philly has had several hiring freezes in the last few years.
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2015 9:03 pm
Re: Long Story Short - Need Some Advice.
I'm curious about this. You think someone from a top 20 school is going to have a significant advantage over someone from one of the local schools, everything else being equal?aelzbp wrote:Being a public defender, especially in a city like Philly, is not a 50 hour a week job. And the Philly PD is one of the most competitive offices in the country. They get hundreds of applicants for every open position. You need to be shooting for a top 20 law school and focusing on doing nothing but PD work from now until you graduate to even have a chance. And I'd have backup plans, because it's more likely than not that you won't get hired there. Especially since Philly has had several hiring freezes in the last few years.
- IWantToBeAFarmer
- Posts: 408
- Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2015 7:58 pm
Re: Long Story Short - Need Some Advice.
I believe the comment was to make it clear that the competition for the public defender jobs are intense and that I should arm myself with the best education and experience possible to give myself the best chance at success. Though, the aelzbp can speak on what his or her intent was better than I can.sloochswal wrote:I'm curious about this. You think someone from a top 20 school is going to have a significant advantage over someone from one of the local schools, everything else being equal?aelzbp wrote:Being a public defender, especially in a city like Philly, is not a 50 hour a week job. And the Philly PD is one of the most competitive offices in the country. They get hundreds of applicants for every open position. You need to be shooting for a top 20 law school and focusing on doing nothing but PD work from now until you graduate to even have a chance. And I'd have backup plans, because it's more likely than not that you won't get hired there. Especially since Philly has had several hiring freezes in the last few years.
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2015 9:03 pm
Re: Long Story Short - Need Some Advice.
That makes sense. Still, I'm skeptical that the Philly PD's office puts a ton of emphasis on school ranking when making hiring decisions.IWantToBeAFarmer wrote:I believe the comment was to make it clear that the competition for the public defender jobs are intense and that I should arm myself with the best education and experience possible to give myself the best chance at success. Though, the aelzbp can speak on what his or her intent was better than I can.sloochswal wrote:I'm curious about this. You think someone from a top 20 school is going to have a significant advantage over someone from one of the local schools, everything else being equal?aelzbp wrote:Being a public defender, especially in a city like Philly, is not a 50 hour a week job. And the Philly PD is one of the most competitive offices in the country. They get hundreds of applicants for every open position. You need to be shooting for a top 20 law school and focusing on doing nothing but PD work from now until you graduate to even have a chance. And I'd have backup plans, because it's more likely than not that you won't get hired there. Especially since Philly has had several hiring freezes in the last few years.
- IWantToBeAFarmer
- Posts: 408
- Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2015 7:58 pm
Re: Long Story Short - Need Some Advice.
I spoke with a university of pennsylvania law school graduate IRL who spent most of his career as a patent attorney before transitioning into information technology law. He explained to me that, "Most of the public defender jobs are not filled by the Ivy League, T-14, whatever you want to call it, graduates. They're generally filled with hard working, intelligent law school graduate who have a passion for what they're doing."sloochswal wrote:That makes sense. Still, I'm skeptical that the Philly PD's office puts a ton of emphasis on school ranking when making hiring decisions.IWantToBeAFarmer wrote:I believe the comment was to make it clear that the competition for the public defender jobs are intense and that I should arm myself with the best education and experience possible to give myself the best chance at success. Though, the aelzbp can speak on what his or her intent was better than I can.sloochswal wrote:I'm curious about this. You think someone from a top 20 school is going to have a significant advantage over someone from one of the local schools, everything else being equal?aelzbp wrote:Being a public defender, especially in a city like Philly, is not a 50 hour a week job. And the Philly PD is one of the most competitive offices in the country. They get hundreds of applicants for every open position. You need to be shooting for a top 20 law school and focusing on doing nothing but PD work from now until you graduate to even have a chance. And I'd have backup plans, because it's more likely than not that you won't get hired there. Especially since Philly has had several hiring freezes in the last few years.
- A. Nony Mouse
- Posts: 29293
- Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2012 11:51 am
Re: Long Story Short - Need Some Advice.
That's probably largely true, but it's also useful to talk to people who've been involved with hiring recently, since practices change.
- IWantToBeAFarmer
- Posts: 408
- Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2015 7:58 pm
Re: Long Story Short - Need Some Advice.
The guy I hit with at the club today told me he's friends with two local lawyers who are public defenders. If I get the opportunity, I'll ask them directly.A. Nony Mouse wrote:That's probably largely true, but it's also useful to talk to people who've been involved with hiring recently, since practices change.
- IWantToBeAFarmer
- Posts: 408
- Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2015 7:58 pm
Re: Long Story Short - Need Some Advice.
1 LOR finished! 1 to go.
Register now!
Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.
It's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
- basedvulpes
- Posts: 2901
- Joined: Sun Sep 07, 2014 8:58 pm
Post removed.
Post removed.
Last edited by basedvulpes on Thu Nov 12, 2015 5:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- spleenworship
- Posts: 4394
- Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2011 11:08 pm
Re: Long Story Short - Need Some Advice.
They turned me and everyone else from a non-T14 down the year I applied. I hear it was a T6 bonanza for them. They lost out on me, so I pray they got some overly academic peeps with no trial skills in my place. Not that I'm mad... I'm mad.sloochswal wrote:That makes sense. Still, I'm skeptical that the Philly PD's office puts a ton of emphasis on school ranking when making hiring decisions.IWantToBeAFarmer wrote:I believe the comment was to make it clear that the competition for the public defender jobs are intense and that I should arm myself with the best education and experience possible to give myself the best chance at success. Though, the aelzbp can speak on what his or her intent was better than I can.sloochswal wrote:I'm curious about this. You think someone from a top 20 school is going to have a significant advantage over someone from one of the local schools, everything else being equal?aelzbp wrote:Being a public defender, especially in a city like Philly, is not a 50 hour a week job. And the Philly PD is one of the most competitive offices in the country. They get hundreds of applicants for every open position. You need to be shooting for a top 20 law school and focusing on doing nothing but PD work from now until you graduate to even have a chance. And I'd have backup plans, because it's more likely than not that you won't get hired there. Especially since Philly has had several hiring freezes in the last few years.
Got through both interviews too... flew out and everything.
- IWantToBeAFarmer
- Posts: 408
- Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2015 7:58 pm
Re: Long Story Short - Need Some Advice.
I appreciate your input. I've changed my mind and I'm going to study business law and work towards plan online MBA from Temple as well.spleenworship wrote:They turned me and everyone else from a non-T14 down the year I applied. I hear it was a T6 bonanza for them. They lost out on me, so I pray they got some overly academic peeps with no trial skills in my place. Not that I'm mad... I'm mad.sloochswal wrote:That makes sense. Still, I'm skeptical that the Philly PD's office puts a ton of emphasis on school ranking when making hiring decisions.IWantToBeAFarmer wrote:I believe the comment was to make it clear that the competition for the public defender jobs are intense and that I should arm myself with the best education and experience possible to give myself the best chance at success. Though, the aelzbp can speak on what his or her intent was better than I can.sloochswal wrote:I'm curious about this. You think someone from a top 20 school is going to have a significant advantage over someone from one of the local schools, everything else being equal?aelzbp wrote:Being a public defender, especially in a city like Philly, is not a 50 hour a week job. And the Philly PD is one of the most competitive offices in the country. They get hundreds of applicants for every open position. You need to be shooting for a top 20 law school and focusing on doing nothing but PD work from now until you graduate to even have a chance. And I'd have backup plans, because it's more likely than not that you won't get hired there. Especially since Philly has had several hiring freezes in the last few years.
Got through both interviews too... flew out and everything.
I'm scheduled to retake the LSAT in February at Villanova.
- IWantToBeAFarmer
- Posts: 408
- Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2015 7:58 pm
Re: Long Story Short - Need Some Advice.
A local college offers a two year post bachelors accounting certificate that is very reasonably priced. A family member and I plan on working toward this certificate in tandem, with the understanding that we will eventually form an accounting partnership together after working long enough to attain our CPA licenses. The certificate program prepares you for the CPA exam both in terms of assuring you have all the required course work to sit for the CPA Exam, and to meet the educational licensing requirements in Pa. I'm also signed up for the Wiley CPA online preparatory class to help prepare for the rigorous four part exam.
Once I complete the accounting certificate and I'm working full time in the accounting profession, I plan on attending law school part time during the evening. This means my only options are Temple, Rutgers Camden, or Widener. Leaving the area isn't an option.
From a convenience standpoint, Widener is only 25 -30 minutes away, while Temple and Rutgers would be 45 - 60+ minute drives depending on how bad traffic is during rush hour.
My primary focus is on getting as much scholarship money as I possible, getting a strong business law education, and passing the bar exam. I'm much less concerned about the status or prestige of the law school because by the time I finish law school and pass the Bar Exam, I will be self employed, working in a CPA partnership. I don't need the name of the college to get my foot in the door at a law firm. I simply want a strong legal education at an affordable cost.
Which of these three law school would you recommend I attend?
Once I complete the accounting certificate and I'm working full time in the accounting profession, I plan on attending law school part time during the evening. This means my only options are Temple, Rutgers Camden, or Widener. Leaving the area isn't an option.
From a convenience standpoint, Widener is only 25 -30 minutes away, while Temple and Rutgers would be 45 - 60+ minute drives depending on how bad traffic is during rush hour.
My primary focus is on getting as much scholarship money as I possible, getting a strong business law education, and passing the bar exam. I'm much less concerned about the status or prestige of the law school because by the time I finish law school and pass the Bar Exam, I will be self employed, working in a CPA partnership. I don't need the name of the college to get my foot in the door at a law firm. I simply want a strong legal education at an affordable cost.
Which of these three law school would you recommend I attend?
Get unlimited access to all forums and topics
Register now!
I'm pretty sure I told you it's FREE...
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Sat Oct 24, 2015 2:37 pm
Re: Long Story Short - Need Some Advice.
Holy shit. I can't tell if everyone in this thread is just playing along, or if nobody has realized that the OP is clearly joking yet...
Wtf?
Wtf?
- fats provolone
- Posts: 7125
- Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:44 pm
Re: Long Story Short - Need Some Advice.
by "in tandem" do you mean you are going to alternate taking classes and share a single degree at the end?
- IWantToBeAFarmer
- Posts: 408
- Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2015 7:58 pm
Re: Long Story Short - Need Some Advice.
Good one. No, I mean we are both going to sign up and take the same exact classes each semester, quiz each other, and make sure the other knows their stuff, because the certificate and grades are worthless if we don't pass the CPA Exam.fats provolone wrote:by "in tandem" do you mean you are going to alternate taking classes and share a single degree at the end?
Communicate now with those who not only know what a legal education is, but can offer you worthy advice and commentary as you complete the three most educational, yet challenging years of your law related post graduate life.
Register now, it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login