Planning the next year, advice please. Forum

[EndersDrift]

I'm not going to bore people here with my life story but some basic information, my concerns, and laying out a strategy to be successful:

Age: 26
University: Florida International University, B.A. Architecture 2007. GPA: 3.02

Work/Life Experience:
Freelance graphic designer
Mail Assistant then promoted to Front desk assistant in Residency Halls
President of AIAS at FIU
Founding Member of Alpha Rho Chi (architecture fraternity)
US Peace Corps volunteer from 2007-2009. Completion of service. Taught English, Computer, Taekwondo. Held teacher training seminars. Wrote, edited, and illustrated a computer studies textbook. Sat on Volunteer Advisory Committee and a few subcommitees.
Coached Martial Arts part time
2010-Present Head Graphic Designer for Publishing Company duties include Design, Marketing, Editing, Proofing..
2010-Present Working on launching my own internet startup though unless things pick up with it this wouldn't be mentioned anywhere.

So I've looked at the LSATs but haven't sat down and done an entire one for practice. What I have done went well though, I'm a pretty logical guy. I also began a minor in Philosophy though didn't finish because it would've meant an extra semester in school and I chose the Peace Corps instead, I did take Intro to Logic though and it was my favorite course in all of Undergrad.

My concerns are increasing my speed especially on the reading comprehension and then a really big concern is getting letters of recommendation.

My goal will sound strange to some on here but its to shoot for a good law school in an area that I could live in for the rest of my life. I'm not at all interested in the Northeast/Atlantic/California. I want to live in either the Rocky's or Midwest. Denver, Minneapolis, Billings or maybe Omaha, Kansas City or Detroit. I'm not interested in going to a great school if I do get in with the intent on then moving again. I want to be able to establish roots, know everyone in the community, and live a happy and productive life sort to speak.

The type of law I want to practice is Corporate Contract Law.

So the questions are:
What schools would be good options? So far I'm looking at University of Denver, University of Montana, University of Minnesota. Cost is a major factor and if I can get into a few of these mid level schools I'd go to whichever gives me the most job opportunities and funding.

Then how to go about improving for the next year to get into the best possible school. I still have my logic textbook, Power of Logic 4 Ed, Layman and I've got a library card. I know my library also has online LSAT prep for free. Would you all start by sitting down and doing a complete LSAT to see where I'm starting at or would you start with prepping for a few months and then take one? I plan on breaking it down just like with my powerlifting and coming up with a "exercise routine" if you will on how to approach each section and specific skill with regular sessions and 'deloads'. I'm also considering subscribing to something like the Wallstreet Journal to improve my reading speed, comprehension and grammar.

Thank you for taking the time to read all of this and any advice you have to offer is very much appreciated. I wasn't exactly sure which forum to post this in but I sincerely hope this is the right one.

[overunderachiever]

Take a practice test

[SA1928]

It sounds like you plan to apply this fall and then begin school next fall, is that correct?

If it is, then prepping for the LSAT sooner than later is going to be really important - the October LSAT is on October 1st and the December LSAT is on December 3rd. Most people seem to suggest a minimum of 3 months of studying for the LSAT. It is sort of up to you though whether or not you feel that will be necessary. There are a lot of really great study guides on TLS so if you needed help planning how to attack studying for the LSAT, I would suggest starting there. I also have found that the LSAT Blogs study guides (http://lsatblog.blogspot.com/p/month-ls ... plans.html) are very helpful and can be worth the $20 if you are just feeling totally lost as to where to start. He also reviews which books are really helpful on that site - although the general consensus amongst TLS seems to be that the Powerscore Bibles or the Manhattan LSAT set are the best books available for self-study. I personally have been using the Powerscore Bibles, but just ordered the Manhattan books to hit areas that I still feel uncertain about - got all three, RC, LG, and LR for $60 on amazon.

As far as recommendations, what are your concerns? About who to ask or what they should include?

I don't personally know too much about the area that you hope to study in, but from some research I have done, it seems that corporate law firms typically prefer prestigious universities. Although, I suppose this could be very different depending on the region that you hope to practice in (I am more interested in the northeast, so this may just be a northeastern preference). Also, I think it may be difficult to suggest schools without any type of LSAT score since that LSAT score does hold a large amount of weight in the school's decision to admit or reject you.

Hope that helps, at least a little!

[MattLiv12]

You should take a Full PrepTest just to get a diagnosis of your approximate level and to set improvement goals.
Then the standard advice is to do PithyPike's study regimen. You will have to spend ~250 on prep materials but it is well worth it if you are serious about getting a scholarship at one of those schools. You will have to dominate the LSAT to get into Minnesota with a 3.0, I'm not sure about the other schools mentioned. Best of Luck.

PithPike:

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =PithyPike

[overunderachiever]

I'm not going to bore people here with my life story but some basic information, my concerns, and laying out a strategy to be successful:

Age: 26
University: Florida International University, B.A. Architecture 2007. GPA: 3.02

Work/Life Experience:
Freelance graphic designer
Mail Assistant then promoted to Front desk assistant in Residency Halls
President of AIAS at FIU
Founding Member of Alpha Rho Chi (architecture fraternity)
US Peace Corps volunteer from 2007-2009. Completion of service. Taught English, Computer, Taekwondo. Held teacher training seminars. Wrote, edited, and illustrated a computer studies textbook. Sat on Volunteer Advisory Committee and a few subcommitees.
Coached Martial Arts part time
2010-Present Head Graphic Designer for Publishing Company duties include Design, Marketing, Editing, Proofing..
2010-Present Working on launching my own internet startup though unless things pick up with it this wouldn't be mentioned anywhere.

So I've looked at the LSATs but haven't sat down and done an entire one for practice. What I have done went well though, I'm a pretty logical guy. I also began a minor in Philosophy though didn't finish because it would've meant an extra semester in school and I chose the Peace Corps instead, I did take Intro to Logic though and it was my favorite course in all of Undergrad.

My concerns are increasing my speed especially on the reading comprehension and then a really big concern is getting letters of recommendation.

My goal will sound strange to some on here but its to shoot for a good law school in an area that I could live in for the rest of my life. I'm not at all interested in the Northeast/Atlantic/California. I want to live in either the Rocky's or Midwest. Denver, Minneapolis, Billings or maybe Omaha, Kansas City or Detroit. I'm not interested in going to a great school if I do get in with the intent on then moving again. I want to be able to establish roots, know everyone in the community, and live a happy and productive life sort to speak.

The type of law I want to practice is Corporate Contract Law.

So the questions are:
What schools would be good options? So far I'm looking at University of Denver, University of Montana, University of Minnesota. Cost is a major factor and if I can get into a few of these mid level schools I'd go to whichever gives me the most job opportunities and funding.

Then how to go about improving for the next year to get into the best possible school. I still have my logic textbook, Power of Logic 4 Ed, Layman and I've got a library card. I know my library also has online LSAT prep for free. Would you all start by sitting down and doing a complete LSAT to see where I'm starting at or would you start with prepping for a few months and then take one? I plan on breaking it down just like with my powerlifting and coming up with a "exercise routine" if you will on how to approach each section and specific skill with regular sessions and 'deloads'. I'm also considering subscribing to something like the Wallstreet Journal to improve my reading speed, comprehension and grammar.

Thank you for taking the time to read all of this and any advice you have to offer is very much appreciated. I wasn't exactly sure which forum to post this in but I sincerely hope this is the right one.

These don't usually go hand in hand

[EndersDrift]

Sorry let me clarify, I'm planning to apply next year not this year. So take the LSATs and apply in 2012. My concern is whom to ask.

overunderachiever - Why do you think that? There are plenty of business in these cities: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/ ... 10/cities/

Detroit and Kansas City are a bit lower but I see the potential in both these cities. Billings is obviously much much smaller and would be harder but I wouldn't mind living there if I did find a corporation looking.

Mattliv - thanks for showing me that thread, I'll have to read it more extensively this evening but it looks very useful at a first peruse.