Give me honest advice Forum

[thedevilsadvocate]

I'll start by saying that I'm a long time lurker and first time poster. I am entering my senior year of undergrad majoring in Political Science with a minor in History. I think my GPA is pretty decent, currently at 3.74. I'm a little behind on my credit hours, because I had to take a few remedial courses and only scheduled 12 hours a semester for my first two years. I have been on the Dean's List every semester but my first, I have received a couple scholarships, one being for Pre-Law students. I haven't been very involved, so my "softs" leave a little to be desired. Although, I am signed up to do Moot Court in the Fall. I am confident that I have 2-3 Professors who can write strong LORs for me.

I'm currently enrolled in summer classes in an attempt to graduate in May 2011. I also am certain I'm taking the LSAT in October. Tomorrow marks 4 months until the October test. First half of the summer session ends in 2 weeks, I am scheduled to take 3 classes the second half. Would it be wise to drop a class or two or all 3 and devote all my time to the LSAT, making up for the lost hours next summer? Or will it look bad that I have 80 hours (that count) completed?

As for LSAT Prep, I took the weekend Powerscore course last week. I found it helpful in familiarizing myself with the LSAT and gave me the confidence that I am capable of learning the material. I haven't had time to take a full practice test yet. I did buy the Powerscore Logic Games Bible, The Official LSAT Prep Test Book #1, and I have the book from the weekend Powerscore course.

Am I on the right track? What do I need to be doing in order to score at least in the 160s? Will my lack of softs hurt me, and should I try to accumulate something to fill that line on the application? Please be honest with me, Everything is piling up on me at once, and I'm starting to become a nervous wreck. And I am set on going to law school in the Fall of 2011, I don't want to have to take a year off, I will do so only if I have no other options. Thanks for the help.

[kalvano]

Skip Moot Court in the fall and keep your grades up.

Softs aren't that important if you can keep a 3.7-3.9 and do well on the LSAT.

I'd skip the summer courses and focus on the LSAT. Take a diagnostic test, cold, see how you do. Go from there.

[vespertiliovir]

as far as softs go, do what makes you happy -- at the undergraduate level they're all basically the same, and don't really matter that much. as long as you submit your transcripts early, you won't have to report fall grades, assuming you're applying 2010-2011 cycle.

As far as prep goes, take a real diagnostic asap, that way you can know where you stand and what you need to focus on. definitely take as many real tests (available from lsac) as possible; if you need a lot of practice on one section, you can definitely use the logic games bible or whatever's necessary.

[vespertiliovir]

oh, and i would maybe drop a summer class, if you could still graduate on time.

[thedevilsadvocate]

oh, and i would maybe drop a summer class, if you could still graduate on time.

If I drop a class this summer, take 15 hrs in the Fall and take 19 hrs in the Spring, I would need to take 4 hrs next summer to graduate, It's my understanding that it doesn't matter as long as you're graduated by the day law school starts, correct?

[vespertiliovir]

It's my understanding that it doesn't matter as long as you're graduated by the day law school starts, correct?

i believe that's correct, though i'm not 100% positive.