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I am an older student (35), father of two, stay at home dad/full time student (my fiance just finished residency and is paying back her time as a DR. in the Army - we are stationed in Oklahoma). 17 years of work experience including management in the mortgage business (insert cruel jokes here). I bombed the first LSAT (147) and only got a 157 on my second try, but I do have a 3.8 (would be much higher if it wasnt for a few bad grades from 15 years ago). I am the first person in my family to obtain an UG degree or higher. Any shot at SMU part time or U of Oklahoma full time? If not would a T-3 or T-4 school be logical if I am not concerned with getting a big law job? Also, if I were to get a higher score (165 -170) on a third try by taking a prep course would I have a shot at a top 30 school given the previous poor scores?

I think most people here are going to tell you to not waste that GPA and retake, which I agree with.

However, with that being said, I believe you can get into OU just fine with those stats. I also think you have a good shot at SMU PT and maybe even FT.

And yes, finally, regardless of your other scores, if you retook and scored 166+, you are looking at a whole new range of schools (definitely T30), so retake.

Your best bet would be to retake the LSAT.

Don't go to law school unless you think that your previous clients/companies will farm out work to you if you start a solo practice or you have worked with a firm while in the mortgage buisness that will hire you.

In this case, it doesn't realy matter where go to law school, if not, no school that you can get into is likely to get you a job that pays enough for you to support your family after factoring in debt.

At this level of school, getting a job will depend on already having the network that will get you a job.

No matter what you do, you will almost invariably end up working as a specialist in some industry (proly real-estate from the looks of you) that you already have experience in. Make sure that this is an outcome that you are comfortable with.

How old are your previous scores?

In any case, retaking is indeed your best shot. The LSAT score is the single most important aspect of your application.

dwilson81 wrote:I am an older student (35), father of two, stay at home dad/full time student (my fiance just finished residency and is paying back her time as a DR. in the Army - we are stationed in Oklahoma). 17 years of work experience including management in the mortgage business (insert cruel jokes here). I bombed the first LSAT (147) and only got a 157 on my second try, but I do have a 3.8 (would be much higher if it wasnt for a few bad grades from 15 years ago). I am the first person in my family to obtain an UG degree or higher. Any shot at SMU part time or U of Oklahoma full time? If not would a T-3 or T-4 school be logical if I am not concerned with getting a big law job? Also, if I were to get a higher score (165 -170) on a third try by taking a prep course would I have a shot at a top 30 school given the previous poor scores?

Based on this year's cycle, that LSAT/GPA and work experience will get you accepted to SMU's evening program, but you won't get any scholly money to help offset their ginormous tuition bill. Another 4 points on the LSAT and you'll be looking at 20K (5/year) in merit aid.

Applying early in the cycle will help a lot as well.

Good luck!