What should I do now? Big decision to make. Forum

[PunjabiLower]

.

[primusux]

So many of you probably have seen my posts around. I finally got into Davis Law after being on the waitlist for a long time (3.84,162). I'm 19 years old and graduated college 2 years early. I slacked off my last year and my GPA dropped to a 3.67. My stats now are 3.67,162 if I decide to reapply. I applied really late this cycle as well which might have hurt me at some schools.

So I was so happy when I got my acceptance. It's a school that I would be happy graduating from...and transferring is an option for me. One of the best days of my life! My mom was happy for me too. However, after a while she stated that she had just wished I went to a top 10 school and that she always thought I was capable of more. Typical Asian parents... It made me feel kinda bad, especially after all the work I put in( spent the last 4 summers of my life with college coursework and the last 2 years on the LSAT). It also got me thinking to re-apply early next cycle.

I have already registered for the October test and was wondering what I should do. After Davis, my next step up would be USC...which I would need a 167. I have hit a 167 once..on September 2009...but my regular range is around 160-165. I have never gotten above a 167 on a PT before and I usually get low 160's. I have taken pretty much every PT from 2000-2010.

----->This is a risky decision. I could go to Davis and try to transfer...or just reapply early next cycle and try to raise my LSAT(although I don't know how much I can improve...I've seen pretty much every LSAT question). I would be happy graduating from Davis. I think it is an excellent school and I plan to work in Northern California. However, to make it worthwhile I would need at least a 167 for USC. Even a 166 won't do it for me. Should I take the latest PT(June 2010)...to gauge where I stand? I haven't taken that test yet.


Some other things to consider are if I will actually get a Job at OCI...I will be 20-21 by the time OCI comes around. I'm also kinda worried about the competition for a younger guy in law school. What's REALLY REALLY risky about this...is that if I re-apply with a 3.67,162...I might not get into Davis again... It was my high 3.84 that got me in.

Just go so you can be the DD for everyone.
Is USC really going to help that much over Davis for bay area?
If you put everything you had into the lsat and feel theres nothing more you can do I think the choice is obvious.
As for your mom's comment, that is too bad she said that on what is for you, a great day.
I have seen your posts and desire to attend for a while. Why let a comment from your mom change that now when you acknowledge how risky it is. That being said, you are 19 years old. Your whole life is ahead of you. If you took a few years to work and could boost that lsat you could absolutely get into a higher ranked school. Whats most important to you: going now/getting through OR school rank?
Either way I'm sure you'll turn out fine.

[philip.platt]

It sounds like your Mom puts a bit of pressure on you. Also, it sounds like you are affected by her pressure.

These are major life decisions. I piled on courses in my college career as well (but piled on the courses to gain a couple majors rather than speed up the time-line for graduation).

A lot of life decisions are thrown into the first few years out of high school. I would sincerely advise on taking time in making this next decision of yours and possibly going to travel through Europe if you can or to some place you would like (Asia maybe). It will give you time to think and realize how you factor into the world and where you want to go with everything.

If you can't afford to travel, maybe you could stay at a friend's place away from your parents for a little bit to avoid implicit influences by them for at least a little bit while you take time to think and decide where YOU want to go.

[servinDizzert]

kind of on a tangent, but if I were to email Davis (even though I didn't apply) saying that I would attend if they wanted me for the 2013 class what would they say? Is there a regulation that prohibits someone from joining so late?

[Hannibal]

Good luck in whatever you choose. In my opinion, bird in hand is worth two in the bush, and USC is not two Davises.

[PunjabiLower]

Good luck in whatever you choose. In my opinion, bird in hand is worth two in the bush, and USC is not two Davises.

?

[Hannibal]

Good luck in whatever you choose. In my opinion, bird in hand is worth two in the bush, and USC is not two Davises.

?

Basically, since you've gotten into UC Davis and the difference between USC and Davis isn't that great, the risk seems unneeded.

IMO.

[094320]

..

[PunjabiLower]

yeah at this point..my biggest fear is not doing great in law school. If I do decide to go...does anyone have any threads on this forum or any resources on how to do well in law school? Anyone have any 1L notes?

[094320]

..

[CanadianWolf]

If you want to live & work in Northern California, then UC-Davis is a great option.

[PunjabiLower]

If you want to live & work in Northern California, then UC-Davis is a great option.

well SF specifically. I'm an urban kind of guy...how's Davis placement in SF firms?

[billyez]

I say go for the reasons given by Hannibal. You're in at UC-Davis. Who knows what'll happen in the future - you might not be able to catch that bird in the hand again - so use what you have in the present.

[jennylynn]

I would say that you're 19 and you don't need to rush your life. Get a job or travel or something if you're feeling unsure. Take a year to think about what you want. Your law school biological clock is no where near ticking.

[nycbiglawordie]

enjoy your life. work a job for a few years. you may think you've matured and know what you want, but you'd be surprised how you could change when you work

[Hannibal]

I asked a partner at Jones Day that I knew way back when, and he said that both are excellent but he might lean towards USC just because it's in LA.

Err...yeah. I don't know what that means, but it's clear that he considers both schools to be pretty on par with each other.

[drdolittle]

I would say that you're 19 and you don't need to rush your life. Get a job or travel or something if you're feeling unsure. Take a year to think about what you want. Your law school biological clock is no where near ticking.

This is good advice. No offense, but this post and others you've made basically show that you're immature (not surprising at 19) and should definitely not rush into law school only because you or your family might think it's better than sitting on your ass for a year or two and you got into a decent school (which I found very surprising given your posts & age). Law school will be a huge investment of your time and your parents' money, so it'd be incredibly foolish to go just for the hell of it.

[PunjabiLower]

I asked a partner at Jones Day that I knew way back when, and he said that both are excellent but he might lean towards USC just because it's in LA.

Err...yeah. I don't know what that means, but it's clear that he considers both schools to be pretty on par with each other.

Yeah I think beyond the T-14...there seems to be little difference in schools that are within 10 rankings of each other...like davis and boston or usc and ucla