Why didn't I listen? Forum

[sportaddict144]

Momma told me to get good grades or I wouldn't get into a good law school...I am a splitter and I went complete everywhere on Jan 10...Got $$ at W&L and rejected all my other offers of admission. W/L at Fordham, WUSTL, and BU and have yet to hear from Cornell, USC, and Cardozo (Cardozo interviewed me to explain the split). I really want to practice in a big city and Lexington (W&L) is the size of my high school. Should I just accept the fact that I'm going to end up at W&L or might I have good news coming to me this late in the cycle? Also, if I end up at W&L should I be looking to transfer or just kill it there for a big firm job?

[CanadianWolf]

How many times did you take the LSAT ? What are your numbers (GPA & LSAT) ?

[sportaddict144]

3.4
and 160 in October
167 in December

Believe it or not, I was grossly overweight and didn't fit into my chair desk in October. By December, I had lost 60 pounds and fit more comfortably, and was able to focus on the test instead of moving my stomach out of the way to answer questions.

[CanadianWolf]

You should get off at least one waitlist among BU, WashUStL & Fordham. Likely to get admitted from more than one of those waitlists with a LOCI. Also, if you didn't write a LSAT addendum explaining your 7 point surge, then include it in your LOCIs.

P.S. Check the graphs at lawschoolnumbers.com

[sportaddict144]

Thanks for the help, what do you think explains the delay of Cornell, USC, and Cardozo?

[CanadianWolf]

USC & Cornell can both be explained by a quick look at the lawschoolnumbers.com graphs for each school. Basically, you needed a LSAT score of 168, but are still in the running due to a down year with respect to number of applications. Also, your GPA is a bit low for USC & Cornell.

Did you submit an LSAT addendum with your applications ?

[sportaddict144]

No I didn't...I figured that that sort of story would be a little too crazy to include.

[pret]

3.4
and 160 in October
167 in December

Believe it or not, I was grossly overweight and didn't fit into my chair desk in October. By December, I had lost 60 pounds and fit more comfortably, and was able to focus on the test instead of moving my stomach out of the way to answer questions.

EPIC QUOTE.

But seriously, -60 pounds in 2 months? I'm assuming you lost the weight through surgical means...

[Br3v]

How did you study between two scores?

[sportaddict144]

No, I just stopped eating like a pig. Went from about 4000 calories a day to 800 a day. I'm down 75 lbs now...Moving really slow.

I took the Princeton Review course before October and I just kept studying through the techniques they taught me till December.

[PARTY]

that is probably unhealthy.

[Br3v]

No, I just stopped eating like a pig. Went from about 4000 calories a day to 800 a day. I'm down 75 lbs now...Moving really slow.

I took the Princeton Review course before October and I just kept studying through the techniques they taught me till December.

Check out powerscore bibles and consider r3take, you improved greatly between scores you can do it again

[Ti Malice]

I agree with br3v. You are very likely capable of further increasing your score, and just a few more points on the LSAT -- in conjunction with applying earlier -- will have a dramatic impact on your school, scholarship, and career options. A 170 would likely get you into Cornell and in with money at schools where you're currently waitlisted. With a 173 (or maybe less), you have good chances at T10 schools if you apply ED (see this great post: http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 2&t=162680). I'll defer to the folks around here who know more about splitter chances and strategy for more precise details, but there is still no question that a few more points on the LSAT will fundamentally change your options.

The benefits of reapplying with a 170 or better greatly outweigh the costs -- the caveat being that you need to get that higher score, of course. Buy the PowerScore Bibles and get to work.

[kckool7]

Retake. Re-apply and ED UVA.

[sportaddict144]

Well that sucks that I am set on law school this year. What do you think about transferring?

Thanks for all the help too btw.

[bdole2]

What do you think about transferring?

No. Transferring is hard. Way harder than it would be to retake and get into a better school to begin with.

[Always Credited]

If you don't retake-reapply you're going to be posting a thread of a similar title again in 3 years.

[crumpetsandtea]

Look, you're seriously screwing your cycle by not retaking and waiting a cycle. Your title is "why didn't I listen?"--do you want to still be asking yourself the same question in 3 years, when you graduate with mounds of debt and shitty job prospects?

I have a 2.8 and I got a scholly to a T14. You have HALF A WHOLE GRADE POINT higher than me, and you're not even T14 secure: why? Because you're 3 points off from a 170. I shit you not, that's all it takes. If you can improve even 3-4 points (that's literally just 1 question per section) and apply in September, you'll be in at multiple T14s, possibly including schools like Michigan, UVa, NU, and GULC in addition to Cornell, with a chance at scholarships at those schools.

On top of that, you can continue to make and save money in the next year to further reduce your debt load. Seriously man, it is worth thinking about. Don't let yourself turn around and think "why didn't I listen?" again in 3 years.

ETA: oh and fwiw, I've retaken twice too - my scores were 168, 169, 176.

[StarLightSpectre]

MUCH RESPECT TO OP FOR LOSING ALL THAT WEIGHT!

also, reapply early next cycle. Consider retaking 3rd time!

[fltanglab]

I'm not sure your GPA is that horrible...and your split isn't a big as mine. That being said, you didn't seem to do that well this cycle and it could be worth it to retake and reapply as of now. And apply earlier next time.

[thederangedwang]

that is probably unhealthy.

Agreed...800 calories is....really really low...thats a starvation diet....the general rule is to go 500 calories less than the amount required to maintain your weight if you want to lose wieght...idk what you need to sustain yourself, but I would guess 800 is prob only 1/4 or less of that

[sportaddict144]

Don't worry, I'm not keeling over and dying on you because of my diet just yet.

Here is the plan that I made in the last 5 seconds:

Ask W&L if they will allow me to take June to attempt to get more of a scholarship. If I get that 17x, I withdraw and wait for September. If I don't, I happily go to W&L with a good scholarship and never look back. Good plan?

Is there any way for them to restrict me taking the June test? That would be my only concern, if they say no, don't take it, and I go ahead and take it and get another 167 and they rescind my acceptance. Is that possible?

Thanks to everybody for the advice, and to all worried about my health, I'll be alright

[bdole2]

Don't worry, I'm not keeling over and dying on you because of my diet just yet.

Here is the plan that I made in the last 5 seconds:

Ask W&L if they will allow me to take June to attempt to get more of a scholarship. If I get that 17x, I withdraw and wait for September. If I don't, I happily go to W&L with a good scholarship and never look back. Good plan?

Is there any way for them to restrict me taking the June test? That would be my only concern, if they say no, don't take it, and I go ahead and take it and get another 167 and they rescind my acceptance. Is that possible?

Thanks to everybody for the advice, and to all worried about my health, I'll be alright

No. Where are you from? I get the sense that it is not Virginia. Only go to school that will place you where you want to practice. Unless you want to practice in Virginia, then don't go to W&L. You really need to decide where you want to practice. And that way you can take the October LSAT and give yourself more than 2 months to study.

[ColtsFan88]

MUCH RESPECT TO OP FOR LOSING ALL THAT WEIGHT!

also, reapply early next cycle. Consider retaking 3rd time!

No joke. I really need to get my health in order (probably 45-55 pounds overweight- stupid college lifestyle). You're an inspiration.

[PARTY]

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