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TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:13 pm
by max_p
I received my acceptance email to GWU today, however I just accepted my offer with Teach for America a couple days ago. TFA is what I really want do (I need a break from school and would like to earn a little money). GWU is willing to grant me a two year deferral, but all deferrals are binding. I have a 3.69 and a 162 and also got into American and waitlisted at GULC. What should I do? I would love to have the guaranteed option of going to law school after TFA, but I'm not sure I'm willing to commit to GW.

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:24 pm
by krnpridejk
Congrats on your acceptance to GWU and TFA!
When do you need send in the binding contract or w/e for GWU-deferral? It's still really early on in the cycle, so I would suggest waiting a little bit more on GULC wait-list if time allows...if not, I guess it all depends on what you want to do after law school. If Big Law is what you are aiming for, I would say don't defer at GWU and just try studying some more little by little throughout the two years you will be working for TFA and retake for a higher score. Good Luck!

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:25 pm
by 20170322
Why not withdraw, do TFA while studying for the LSAT, destroy the retake, and go to a t14 with $?

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:27 pm
by max_p
Deferrals are given on a case-by-case basis, so I was told to submit my request as soon as possible before more seats are filled. I have no desire for big law. I would like to work in public service, which is part of the reason why I'm leaning toward TFA. And I've only taken the LSAT once....

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:28 pm
by max_p
I'm also currently finishing my senior year and have been steadily raising my GPA over the year. It would just be nice to not have to apply again, or take the lsat again

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:30 pm
by Winston1984
max_p wrote:I'm also currently finishing my senior year and have been steadily raising my GPA over the year. It would just be nice to not have to apply again, or take the lsat again
Wouldn't it be even nicer to not have any debt at a strong regional/T-14? Retake.

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:30 pm
by xRON MEXiCOx
Isn't GWU like super fucking expensive? Did you get a scholly?

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:33 pm
by nothingtosee
Cm here. Withdraw. Study during summer after first year (you won't have time to study AT ALL during the year). Take October. Boom.

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:33 pm
by max_p
Scholarships come out in feb, but I don't think I will get much, if any

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:34 pm
by JDeezy
Applying again will take, what, four hours? I don't see any reason to think you won't get into GWU again in two years.

The correct answer is 100% retake the LSAT. You have two years so its not like you have to change your life to cram. Just study while you can and plan to take it in a year or so. That gives you another year in case the retake doesn't go great.

Even if you don't retake because it would be "nice not to," you'll be in the same position you are right now. GWU's not going anywhere.

Congrats on the TFA acceptance, and the fact that you are doing what you want to do after college. Enjoy.

GWU needs you more than you need them.

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:42 pm
by BigZuck
Definitely retake. TFA is a good soft and should help you get into some good schools down the line. Attending GWU and not retaking would be settling.

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:47 pm
by whereskyle
Under no circumstances should you take this offer. GW will take you again in two years without deferring, so you might as well retake the LSAT and use your new soft for scholarship money/better school.

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:49 pm
by twobitrye
max_p wrote: TFA is what I really want do (I need a break from school and would like to earn a little money).
I hate to be that guy, but please make sure that TFA is really really what you want to do before you get deeper into it. I'm not saying that you shouldn't do it, but as a second year CM who has had a rough go at it, I feel obligated to say something. I was in a similar position to you (wanted a break from school, wanted to earn some money, and eventually want to work in public service law), and I chose the TFA route. I wish I had explored other options that would have provided me the same benefits as TFA without the insanely challenging and draining experience.

If you feel TFA is the right option and you're passionate about education, go for it.

One more thing to keep in mind. It's not a guarantee that you'll have summers off. Many CMs in my region work in year round schools with only two week breaks. While this doesn't seem to be the norm across the country, it's not a given that you'll have summers off to study for the LSAT for a retake.

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:57 pm
by AJB
GW has a 95% employment rate, better than GULC. I don't think it's necessary to retake for a T-14 depending on what you want to do/where you want to work.

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:00 pm
by riverwater
.

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:00 pm
by BigZuck
AJB wrote:GW has a 95% employment rate, better than GULC. I don't think it's necessary to retake for a T-14 depending on what you want to do/where you want to work.
A lot of that is fluff temporary jobs meant to sucker unsuspecting 0Ls like you. Please do a little more research before you start posting stuff like this in the choosing threads.

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:03 pm
by AJB
Maybe, but as an East Coaster I'd still rather go there than somewhere like UT if equal $

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:10 pm
by BigZuck
AJB wrote:Maybe, but as an East Coaster I'd still rather go there than somewhere like UT if equal $
Well, I mean, as an East Coaster UT shouldn't even be on your radar. That school is in Texas.

That's also totally beside the point.

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:12 pm
by AJB
I mean, GW beats GULC in pretty much every employment category except Law firms with 501+ attorneys according to 2012 LST Score Reports. A total of 8 people took temp jobs, compared to 21 from Gtown. I don't see where you are getting your info.

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:19 pm
by BigZuck
AJB wrote:I mean, GW beats GULC in pretty much every employment category except Law firms with 501+ attorneys according to 2012 LST Score Reports. A total of 8 people took temp jobs, compared to 21 from Gtown. I don't see where you are getting your info.
http://www.lawschooltransparency.com

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:21 pm
by AJB
That's where I got it from...

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:22 pm
by nickb285
..

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 1:19 pm
by tiltedwindmill
JDeezy wrote:Applying again will take, what, four hours? I don't see any reason to think you won't get into GWU again in two years.

The correct answer is 100% retake the LSAT. You have two years so its not like you have to change your life to cram. Just Tstudy while you can and plan to take it in a year or so. That gives you another year in case the retake doesn't go great.

Even if you don't retake because it would be "nice not to," you'll be in the same position you are right now. GWU's not going anywhere.

Congrats on the TFA acceptance, and the fact that you are doing what you want to do after college. Enjoy.

GWU needs you more than you need them.
TITCR

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 1:26 pm
by residentemma
I am TFA and applying to law schools this cycle. YOU WILL NOT HAVE TIME TO STUDY FOR THE LSAT ONCE YOU JOIN TFA. My advice would be to take TFA, say no to GWU (hey, if they accepted you with your stats, they'll probably accept you with your stats+TFA in 2 years as well), and take the June or October LSAT. I took mine during senior year of college and I was SO glad I did once Teach for America literally destroyed me.

Also, don't join TFA just cause you want a break from school and to earn a little money (and I'm not saying those are your only reasons). If you are not super convicted about it, you'll regret the decision. Thats just my 2 cents

Re: TFA and GW Law

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 1:31 pm
by Paul Campos
AJB wrote:GW has a 95% employment rate, better than GULC. I don't think it's necessary to retake for a T-14 depending on what you want to do/where you want to work.
Sigh