Should I defer? Freaking out over loans... Forum

(Applications Advice, Letters of Recommendation . . . )
Post Reply
dreamofNYC

Bronze
Posts: 233
Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:25 pm

Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by dreamofNYC » Fri Jul 18, 2014 12:16 pm

Hi all, I need some advice as I am really stressing out... lol :)

I have a full ride from Brooklyn Law, but I freaked out when I realized I'd still owe about 100K in debt post graduation - to pay living costs in NYC. I am considering retaking the LSAT and applying to higher-ranked schools, which would offer better job outcomes. I am also on the waitlist at Duke, but I doubt I will get in...

What are your thoughts? Thank you so much!

User avatar
rayiner

Platinum
Posts: 6145
Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:43 am

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by rayiner » Fri Jul 18, 2014 12:16 pm

dreamofNYC wrote:Hi all, I need some advice as I am really stressing out... lol :)

I have a full ride from Brooklyn Law, but I freaked out when I realized I'd still owe about 100K in debt post graduation - to pay living costs in NYC. I am considering retaking the LSAT and applying to higher-ranked schools, which would offer better job outcomes. I am also on the waitlist at Duke, but I doubt I will get in...

What are your thoughts? Thank you so much!
Retake. The debt feels much worse when you start making payments than the prospect of debt does as a 0L.

User avatar
papercut

Silver
Posts: 1446
Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2012 6:48 pm

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by papercut » Fri Jul 18, 2014 12:18 pm

Not worth it. Retake, or don't go to law school.


I don't understand what deferring would do for you exactly.

dreamofNYC

Bronze
Posts: 233
Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:25 pm

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by dreamofNYC » Fri Jul 18, 2014 12:22 pm

papercut wrote:Not worth it. Retake, or don't go to law school.


I don't understand what deferring would do for you exactly.
I will retake and try to get into T14. i think i can do better than 163 on the LSAT.. my GPa is 3.9..

what do you mean "don't go to law school?". You mean Bklyn Law? Thanks so much!

dreamofNYC

Bronze
Posts: 233
Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:25 pm

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by dreamofNYC » Fri Jul 18, 2014 12:23 pm

rayiner wrote:
dreamofNYC wrote:Hi all, I need some advice as I am really stressing out... lol :)

I have a full ride from Brooklyn Law, but I freaked out when I realized I'd still owe about 100K in debt post graduation - to pay living costs in NYC. I am considering retaking the LSAT and applying to higher-ranked schools, which would offer better job outcomes. I am also on the waitlist at Duke, but I doubt I will get in...

What are your thoughts? Thank you so much!
Retake. The debt feels much worse when you start making payments than the prospect of debt does as a 0L.
Yup! Very forward looking advice, thanks. I am imagining myself 3 years from now writing a check for $1,000 and thinking to myself "I'd rather pay this for Columbia than for Bklyn law...

Want to continue reading?

Register now to search topics and post comments!

Absolutely FREE!


iliketurtles123

Bronze
Posts: 267
Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:14 pm

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by iliketurtles123 » Fri Jul 18, 2014 12:48 pm

dreamofNYC wrote:
papercut wrote:Not worth it. Retake, or don't go to law school.


I don't understand what deferring would do for you exactly.
I will retake and try to get into T14. i think i can do better than 163 on the LSAT.. my GPa is 3.9..

what do you mean "don't go to law school?". You mean Bklyn Law? Thanks so much!
No don't go to law school at all.

You went to Columbia for grad school and you have a 3.9 GPA. You CAN get 170+ on your LSAT and go to a higher ranked school. Don't sell yourself short.

dreamofNYC

Bronze
Posts: 233
Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:25 pm

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by dreamofNYC » Fri Jul 18, 2014 12:50 pm

iliketurtles123 wrote:
dreamofNYC wrote:
papercut wrote:Not worth it. Retake, or don't go to law school.


I don't understand what deferring would do for you exactly.
I will retake and try to get into T14. i think i can do better than 163 on the LSAT.. my GPa is 3.9..

what do you mean "don't go to law school?". You mean Bklyn Law? Thanks so much!
No don't go to law school at all.

You went to Columbia for grad school and you have a 3.9 GPA. You CAN get 170+ on your LSAT and go to a higher ranked school. Don't sell yourself short.
Thank you so much. Appreciate your advice! :)

NYSprague

Silver
Posts: 830
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 2:33 pm

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by NYSprague » Fri Jul 18, 2014 1:24 pm

Don't go to Brooklyn law school. This is a terrible idea. You can do better.

dreamofNYC

Bronze
Posts: 233
Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:25 pm

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by dreamofNYC » Fri Jul 18, 2014 1:31 pm

NYSprague wrote:Don't go to Brooklyn law school. This is a terrible idea. You can do better.
Thank you.. :) Your advice concurs with the voice in the back of my head over the past several months lol :)

Want to continue reading?

Register for access!

Did I mention it was FREE ?


User avatar
Johann

Diamond
Posts: 19704
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 4:25 pm

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by Johann » Fri Jul 18, 2014 1:47 pm

Sounds like you are leaning in the right direction. What's the alternative if you don't go to law school this year?

dreamofNYC

Bronze
Posts: 233
Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:25 pm

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by dreamofNYC » Fri Jul 18, 2014 1:50 pm

JohannDeMann wrote:Sounds like you are leaning in the right direction. What's the alternative if you don't go to law school this year?
Try to get a job in 1) finance (securities compliance) in NYC. OR 2) in alternative investments / social entrepreneurship in San Francisco. Helps getting more experience on my resume! Thanks so much for answering :)

User avatar
Johann

Diamond
Posts: 19704
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 4:25 pm

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by Johann » Fri Jul 18, 2014 1:53 pm

dreamofNYC wrote:
JohannDeMann wrote:Sounds like you are leaning in the right direction. What's the alternative if you don't go to law school this year?
Try to get a job in 1) finance (securities compliance) in NYC. OR 2) in alternative investments / social entrepreneurship in San Francisco. Helps getting more experience on my resume! Thanks so much for answering :)
I'd try to get one of those jobs - those are good alternatives. If it ends up you are doing something you hate that does not pay the bills next year, law school will still on the table.

User avatar
Ohiobumpkin

Silver
Posts: 564
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2011 9:50 am

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by Ohiobumpkin » Fri Jul 18, 2014 1:54 pm

dreamofNYC wrote:
papercut wrote:Not worth it. Retake, or don't go to law school.


I don't understand what deferring would do for you exactly.
I will retake and try to get into T14. i think i can do better than 163 on the LSAT.. my GPa is 3.9..

what do you mean "don't go to law school?". You mean Bklyn Law? Thanks so much!
Why on earth are you thinking even considering going to Brooklyn Law with that GPA and graduate degree from a school that is a leader (or even the leader, sorry John Hopkins and Georgetown) in its field?!? With enough study and maybe a LSAT study class (Power Score, Velocity, or some other reputable LSAT prep program), you could totally get at least a 170. Don't waste your potential at a place like Brooklyn Law.

Register now!

Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.

It's still FREE!


dreamofNYC

Bronze
Posts: 233
Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:25 pm

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by dreamofNYC » Fri Jul 18, 2014 2:09 pm

JohannDeMann wrote:
dreamofNYC wrote:
JohannDeMann wrote:Sounds like you are leaning in the right direction. What's the alternative if you don't go to law school this year?
Try to get a job in 1) finance (securities compliance) in NYC. OR 2) in alternative investments / social entrepreneurship in San Francisco. Helps getting more experience on my resume! Thanks so much for answering :)
I'd try to get one of those jobs - those are good alternatives. If it ends up you are doing something you hate that does not pay the bills next year, law school will still on the table.
Thank you! Yeah that's what I figured. Thank you so so much.

dreamofNYC

Bronze
Posts: 233
Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:25 pm

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by dreamofNYC » Fri Jul 18, 2014 2:10 pm

Ohiobumpkin wrote:
dreamofNYC wrote:
papercut wrote:Not worth it. Retake, or don't go to law school.


I don't understand what deferring would do for you exactly.
I will retake and try to get into T14. i think i can do better than 163 on the LSAT.. my GPa is 3.9..

what do you mean "don't go to law school?". You mean Bklyn Law? Thanks so much!
Why on earth are you thinking even considering going to Brooklyn Law with that GPA and graduate degree from a school that is a leader (or even the leader, sorry John Hopkins and Georgetown) in its field?!? With enough study and maybe a LSAT study class (Power Score, Velocity, or some other reputable LSAT prep program), you could totally get at least a 170. Don't waste your potential at a place like Brooklyn Law.
I get a job to cover bills and will retake. That's for sure. :) Thank you for bringing some clear skies!

User avatar
$peppercorn

Bronze
Posts: 142
Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2011 2:49 pm

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by $peppercorn » Fri Jul 18, 2014 2:18 pm

Definitely retake--especially having a 3.9.

User avatar
Philipsssssss

Bronze
Posts: 157
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:57 pm

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by Philipsssssss » Fri Jul 18, 2014 4:23 pm

"163 on the LSAT.. my GPa is 3.9.."

With these stats alone, you can be a candidate for a 100% paid 1843 Scholly at SLU Law, at least 50% at UIUC, and approx. 70% at Kent.

If you get 164 or 165+ (<--- superb) you are golden in many locations.

Speaking from experience.

Get unlimited access to all forums and topics

Register now!

I'm pretty sure I told you it's FREE...


dreamofNYC

Bronze
Posts: 233
Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:25 pm

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by dreamofNYC » Fri Jul 18, 2014 4:30 pm

Philipsssssss wrote:"163 on the LSAT.. my GPa is 3.9.."

With these stats alone, you can be a candidate for a 100% paid 1843 Scholly at SLU Law, at least 50% at UIUC, and approx. 70% at Kent.

If you get 164 or 165+ (<--- superb) you are golden in many locations.

Speaking from experience.
Thanks, really good to know. Thank you so much!

JJ123

Bronze
Posts: 180
Joined: Wed Jun 12, 2013 11:40 am

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by JJ123 » Fri Jul 18, 2014 4:51 pm

Get a full ride to a school that doesn't have an insane cost of living if you're that concerned.

Nomo

Silver
Posts: 700
Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2014 2:06 am

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by Nomo » Fri Jul 18, 2014 4:59 pm

If you think you can do better than a 163 you absolutely have to retake.

100k debt for Brooklyn is not good. I would only recommend that for someone who absolutely has a true desire to be a lawyer and knows for sure they would be totally happy pulling in 50k at a small firm doing divorces, criminal defense, or personal injury.

I have never met that person that meets this criteria.

dreamofNYC

Bronze
Posts: 233
Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:25 pm

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by dreamofNYC » Fri Jul 18, 2014 5:02 pm

Nomo wrote:If you think you can do better than a 163 you absolutely have to retake.

100k debt for Brooklyn is not good. I would only recommend that for someone who absolutely has a true desire to be a lawyer and knows for sure they would be totally happy pulling in 50k at a small firm doing divorces, criminal defense, or personal injury.

I have never met that person that meets this criteria.
Hmm great advice. Thank you. I have gotten consistent "retake" responses. Thanks all, this has been extremely clarifying for me :)

BrokenMouse

Silver
Posts: 1273
Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 1:14 pm

Re: Should I defer? Freaking out over loans...

Post by BrokenMouse » Fri Jul 18, 2014 6:48 pm

lol

Communicate now with those who not only know what a legal education is, but can offer you worthy advice and commentary as you complete the three most educational, yet challenging years of your law related post graduate life.

Register now, it's still FREE!


Post Reply

Return to “Law School Admissions Forum”