Loyola Chicago - worth 6 figures of debt? Forum

[lunalovegood2357]

Disclaimer -- I have pretty mediocre grades/scores and I am fully aware of this. I wish I retook the LSAT after only getting a 155, but at the time I thought it was the best I could do and was too eager to start law school and start applying. I've had a rather unsuccessful application cycle and am now obviously wishing I chose to retake, but being almost a year out of undergraduate already, I would hate to wait another year to take the test over and start the application process over from scratch.

That being said, after being rejected from Maryland, waitlisted at American, Northeastern, Penn State AND Villanova, the best/highest ranked school that I have gotten into is Loyola U Chicago. They only gave me $12k/year, so I would be looking at about $120k of debt for the rest of tuition and rent. My only other viable options (other than scrapping the application process and retaking -- which like I said, I am trying to avoid unless absolutely necessary) is to attend Syracuse with a $30k scholarship, or the University of Buffalo with a $6k scholarship (and paying very low in state tuition), and transferring to a better school. I'm wary to stay at either school for three years because those really aren't areas I want to be in for the long term, and I wouldn't be exposed to as many internship/networking opportunities as I would be in a big city school. However, even though they're worse schools, if I did stay, I would be in half the debt I would be if I attended Loyola. I'm just confused and need to start making decisions. Just wanted some outside input.

[McAvoy]

No. No. No. Do not do that. There is maybe a 10 percent chance that it would not be a life ruining (or, at minimum, 20s ruining) decision. I know a few recent Loyola grads who would tell you that the lucky ones end up doing insurance defense. You would probably have to go to the military or to the grave to get that debt off your back, particularly if PSLF is going away.

There is no question here: retake or don't go to school.

[TheSpanishMain]

Absolutely not. Loyola is worth going to if it's free and you're interested in small law/non-prestigious government. 6 figure debt is a big "fuck no." Sit out a cycle and retake.

[Jchance]

Disclaimer -- I have pretty mediocre grades/scores and I am fully aware of this. I wish I retook the LSAT after only getting a 155, but at the time I thought it was the best I could do and was too eager to start law school and start applying. I've had a rather unsuccessful application cycle and am now obviously wishing I chose to retake, but being almost a year out of undergraduate already, I would hate to wait another year to take the test over and start the application process over from scratch.

Please don't make a poor decision--dont go to law school unless u can nail the LSAT. Its much worse in law school than being debt-free unemployed college grad.

[TheSpanishMain]

Also, you're not missing the boat by waiting a year. It's better to NOT go straight from undergrad. I'll be 30 when I start, and I used my twenties to get some good work experience/serve in the military, and I'm pretty sure that stuff has helped me outperform my numbers significantly.

[Mal Reynolds]

NO

[Nova]

NO

[lunalovegood2357]

Thanks for your harsh, but ultimately helpful words. I took the LSAT my senior year, while I was a full time student athlete working 2 jobs, so I'm sure that if it was my only focus right now, I could do much better. With a 155, I've got a long way to go before even being considered for $$ at a T1 school and I'm much too broke to pay sticker. Is it remotely possible to improve almost ten whole points the second time around? For those who have retaken, by how much did you improve your score the second time around? Any words of wisdom? I'm obviously planning to study my ass off for the next two months and having already taken it once should give me a big leg up this time, but I don't want to be completely unrealistic by hoping to break 160.

[UnderrateOverachieve]

NO

[transferror]

HELLLLLLLLLL

NO

[Tiago Splitter]

Thanks for your harsh, but ultimately helpful words. I took the LSAT my senior year, while I was a full time student athlete working 2 jobs, so I'm sure that if it was my only focus right now, I could do much better. With a 155, I've got a long way to go before even being considered for $$ at a T1 school and I'm much too broke to pay sticker. Is it remotely possible to improve almost ten whole points the second time around? For those who have retaken, by how much did you improve your score the second time around? Any words of wisdom? I'm obviously planning to study my ass off for the next two months and having already taken it once should give me a big leg up this time, but I don't want to be completely unrealistic by hoping to break 160.

If you didn't put much effort into things the first time around 10 points is a pretty conservative estimate for how much you can improve. Don't be afraid to hold off until October and put 4-5 solid months into this thing if your practice test scores aren't significantly higher than 155 come June.

[McAvoy]

Thanks for your harsh, but ultimately helpful words. I took the LSAT my senior year, while I was a full time student athlete working 2 jobs, so I'm sure that if it was my only focus right now, I could do much better. With a 155, I've got a long way to go before even being considered for $$ at a T1 school and I'm much too broke to pay sticker. Is it remotely possible to improve almost ten whole points the second time around? For those who have retaken, by how much did you improve your score the second time around? Any words of wisdom? I'm obviously planning to study my ass off for the next two months and having already taken it once should give me a big leg up this time, but I don't want to be completely unrealistic by hoping to break 160.

If you didn't put much effort into things the first time around 10 points is a pretty conservative estimate for how much you can improve. Don't be afraid to hold off until October and put 4-5 solid months into this thing if your practice test scores aren't significantly higher than 155 come June.

This. If you seriously dedicate yourself, you should be aiming higher than a 165. Use our community guides on the LSAT forum this time, and wait to take the test until October/September, then probably plan on a retake for the following December. If you really want to go to law school, you have to put in the time and effort and make the LSAT your number one priority. Good luck!

[Lebrarian_Booker]