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Today is my birthday. I am 23 years old..... As Blink 182 says "Nobody likes you when your 23"

This week represents the crossroads....


Here is the deal...

My dream is to become a lawyer.... I took the LSAT, and didn't do as well as I hoped. My cousin currently attends Creighton Law School in Omaha Nebraska. It's a T3 school, but it has a good repuation in the region. I visited the school, and liked it a lot. However, like most other schools I was put on the waitlist due to poor credentials (151 LSAT, 2.8 GPA). However Monday came, and I was told that a seat has opened up and if I registered this fall it was mine. Problem is I have to decide by Friday (tomorrow), and orientation is next Thursday. Is it realistic to move from Baltimore to Omaha in a week? I couldn't even give my current employer 2 weeks notice.... It should be noted however, that I don't have a family (zero kids/no wife), and moving shouldn't be difficult.

As you know the legal market is grim, however the legal education market is not. My GPA/LSAT is not great, and thus their are better candidates. Can my LSAT score improve? It's possible, but you hate to bank your future on a single test...

Currently, I am working for a small company making roughly $51,000 a year plus bonus (could bring it up to around $53,000)... Problem is there is zero career advancement opportunities, and thus I am forced to look elsewhere to improve on my situation. In addition I'm not entirely happy doing this kind of sales work.

To make matters more complicated, both Frito Lay and Coca-Cola (two HR departments I have been trying to crack) called me today to schedule interviews. Both positions, pay less, but offer better career prospects...


Does an interview guarantee employment? No, but I am so knowledgeable about both brands/businesses that it would be shocking if I didn't blow their minds during the interview.

What should I do? The prudent move would be to stay where I am at (why throw away 3 opportunities for one?) I can always go to law school later.... and maybe even get into one that isn't in Nebraska....

However, everyone tells me the longer you wait, the harder it is to get into school..... What if I end up getting comfortable, and never go to law school? 10 years later, I could be kicking my ass.......

What should I do???? I deally,l I would be able to defer my application, but I doubt they will let me do that.....

You already have a much better job than most people from that school get. Don't go.

Wait a year. Retake the LSAT if you want. If you really want to go to Law School still, re-apply.

Focus on nailing the Coke/Frito-Lay's interviews. Your prospects are much better with your current path.

Would you rather be 'not entirely happy' while making good money with no debt, or would you rather be doing mundane legal work (if lucky), making substantially less, with $100k+ in debt?

TommyK wrote:Wait a year. Retake the LSAT if you want. If you really want to go to Law School still, re-apply.

At 24, won't I be too old?

LegalMan wrote:

TommyK wrote:Wait a year. Retake the LSAT if you want. If you really want to go to Law School still, re-apply.

At 24, won't I be too old?

Nope.

Wait a year is TCR.

NYC Law wrote:Focus on nailing the Coke/Frito-Lay's interviews. Your prospects are much better with your current path.

Would you rather be 'not entirely happy' while making good money with no debt, or would you rather be doing mundane legal work (if lucky), making substantially less, with $100k+ in debt?

Not concerned about debt.... My dad is loaded, and will pay for my education. Don't want to sound like a spoiled brat, but it's the truth.. He's never really helped me out before, so he kind of owes me.... (BTW I got my current job on my own merit)...

The Creighton offer on the table might be seductive because it's available and so close, but I have feeling that your prospects out of this school might not quite accord with your "dream."

Seems like *WAY* too risky a decision to make at such a late hour.

Also should state, that I think Creighton would be a great fit from me as I went to a Jesuit Undergrad school, and had a great experience.

LegalMan wrote:Also should state, that I think Creighton would be a great fit from me as I went to a Jesuit Undergrad school, and had a great experience.

You won't get much of the Jesuit influence, aside from maybe stuff about social justice.

Seriously, your best bet is to wait a year. See how those interviews pan out, study again and retake the LSAT. That's the best advice I think you'll get.

NZA wrote:

LegalMan wrote:Also should state, that I think Creighton would be a great fit from me as I went to a Jesuit Undergrad school, and had a great experience.

You won't get much of the Jesuit influence, aside from maybe stuff about social justice.

Seriously, your best bet is to wait a year. See how those interviews pan out, study again and retake the LSAT. That's the best advice I think you'll get.

And this is what my gut is telling me....

I just wanted to touch base with some people with knowledge of the situation, to confirm that I'm not nuts for taking advantage of this offer. I paid for the US NEWS numbers, and Law Firms/judges ranked Creighton pretty high compared to other TTT schools. This made me question my decisions (not to go) even more....

The main reason is that I simply don't think I could transition from "work mode" into "law school mode" in less than a week, if that makes any sense whatsoever...

Have you considered business school? I'm looking at Creighton's stats now and they're pretty abysmal, especially for such an undesired market. The only reason it has a good reputation is because the UG is fairly highly regarded in the region (#1 in regional midwest schools).

If you think you have the work ethic to get +5 or really +10 to 15 points on the LSAT, then I'd say wait. If you don't then I say rethink that you are ready for law school.
Note: I waited a year and it was a waste of time, besides the additional 9 points on the LSAT.

BTW....

I do sales in the food and beverage industry.....

It pays well; especially to those with college degrees, but it is not glamorous work.....

At Frito Lay I would actually have to drive a truck.... Does it pay upwards near 50K, and offer a fast track to management (1-2 years) Yes, but it's not glamorous work....

At my current job, I have to walk into 7-Elevens on occasion and sell products COLD....

Again... That's sales... Not glamourus.... Which is why I want a SKILL like I would get in Law School

LegalMan wrote:The main reason is that I simply don't think I could transition from "work mode" into "law school mode" in less than a week, if that makes any sense whatsoever...

Yes you can. Your school should ease the transition in the orientation. The issue should be whether or not you can up your stats and get into a better school with a better job prospects.

JackMcCoy wrote:

LegalMan wrote:The main reason is that I simply don't think I could transition from "work mode" into "law school mode" in less than a week, if that makes any sense whatsoever...

Yes you can. Your school should ease the transition in the orientation. The issue should be whether or not you can up your stats and get into a better school with a better job prospects.

Orientation?

It's on Thursday..... I have to Quit my job, Find a place to live, Move halfway across the country,transfer all my funds, etc....

Can I up my stats? I honestly don't know.... Which is why this is an issue.... I have taken the LSAT (Practice tests) many times, and my score is ALWAYS 151....

I'm lucky to even get into a halfway decent school.....

Hey Legal Man...

Read my thread and reply when you get a chance:
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... w=viewpoll

I'm almost 10 years older than you and I think that you should stay the heck away from law school--especially with those numbers (no offense)...I honestly think that an MBA would be a MUCH better investment for you than a T-3 law school.

LegalMan wrote:BTW....

I do sales in the food and beverage industry.....

It pays well; especially to those with college degrees, but it is not glamorous work.....

At Frito Lay I would actually have to drive a truck.... Does it pay upwards near 50K, and offer a fast track to management (1-2 years) Yes, but it's not glamorous work....

At my current job, I have to walk into 7-Elevens on occasion and sell products COLD....

Again... That's sales... Not glamourus.... Which is why I want a SKILL like I would get in Law School

The kind of job, if any, you are likely to get from that school is not going to be glamorous either.

Wait a year, retake, and do more research. Read the stories about unemployed grads from T3 schools who would slit each others throats for your 50K a year job.

You really think law is 'glamorous work'?


Here - read some of areyouinsane's stories
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 1&t=162790

NYC Law wrote:You really think law is 'glamorous work'?


Here - read some of areyouinsane's stories
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 1&t=162790

It's a Skill.... A skill that most peopel don't have...

That's what you need to be "in demand" with the way economy is.....

Sales is a horrible, horrible profession. You think Law School is stressful? Try having to hit montly quotas........ If you did well last year, that means you have to do even better next year, and so on......

To make matters worse, it's nearly impossible to get to "glamourous" positions in my industry (DSD Sales) unless you're a woman or minority....

+1 million

Kilpatrick wrote:

LegalMan wrote:BTW....

I do sales in the food and beverage industry.....

It pays well; especially to those with college degrees, but it is not glamorous work.....

At Frito Lay I would actually have to drive a truck.... Does it pay upwards near 50K, and offer a fast track to management (1-2 years) Yes, but it's not glamorous work....

At my current job, I have to walk into 7-Elevens on occasion and sell products COLD....

Again... That's sales... Not glamourus.... Which is why I want a SKILL like I would get in Law School

The kind of job, if any, you are likely to get from that school is not going to be glamorous either.

Wait a year, retake, and do more research. Read the stories about unemployed grads from T3 schools who would slit each others throats for your 50K a year job.

This is not the type of life-changing (and potentially life-ruining) decision to be made in a day. You have a job and potential opportunities in front of you, see where those lead you and re-evaluate in 1, 2, or 3 years. 24, 25, 26, hell even 30, is far from too old. Law school will still be there, particularly if you can up your LSAT score. If you got in once, there will be a way to get in again--it's like buying a car, if you pass up one deal because you're not 100% sure something else will come up.

If people say go now out of fear that you'll change your mind, that's BS. The only reason you wouldn't go later is if things are working out for you without law school, or if you decide law isn't really for you--and then it will have been a GOOD thing that you didn't go in the first place. If you go to a school like Creighton, there's a very big chance you'll wind up less happy and in more debt than if you had stuck with your current job path. Particularly if you wouldn't be happy living in Nebraska.

LegalMan wrote: Can I up my stats? I honestly don't know.... Which is why this is an issue.... I have taken the LSAT (Practice tests) many times, and my score is ALWAYS 151....

I'm lucky to even get into a halfway decent school.....

People on this forum will say it over and over again. "retake" I understand your frustration in hearing that and with the test. I felt the same way.
I will put it like this. One year ago I had a mediocre score and would not have gotten into the school I am at now. After retaking (thanks Power Score) I was not only accepted but given a half scholarship at a private school. (Big $$$)
If that isn't an issue for you, or you feel the LSAT is a lost cause then I say, go for it.

On the issue of moving, getting ready, etc, it CAN be done. How bad do you want it?

Try being a solo practioner...it's a lot like sales...you will be constantly prostituting yourself for clients just to make ends meet each month.

FYI: I worked in sales when I was your age and it does suck...being a lawyer with no prospects is way worse.

READ THIS ARTICLE TOO...
http://eagleionline.com/2010/10/15/open ... ean-brown/

LegalMan wrote:

NYC Law wrote:You really think law is 'glamorous work'?


Here - read some of areyouinsane's stories
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 1&t=162790

It's a Skill.... A skill that most peopel don't have...

That's what you need to be "in demand" with the way economy is.....

Sales is a horrible, horrible profession. You think Law School is stressful? Try having to hit montly quotas........ If you did well last year, that means you have to do even better next year, and so on......

To make matters worse, it's nearly impossible to get to "glamourous" positions in my industry (DSD Sales) unless you're a woman or minority....

Why do you guys automatically assume I won't be making good money/struggling after graduation?