Top Law Schools

Hey all, first time poster here. I just received my score of a 162 on the September LSAT. GPA is a 3.86. Really wanted to get into UCLA, but it seems as if that hope is diminishing. Was wondering if I should retake again in December, or try and apply with early decision. Other schools of interest include Duke, USC, Notre Dame, ASU, and UNC respectively.

I have already taken a test master's prep course; highest PT was a 167 and averaged right around 163. Also if you suggest retaking, what study plan would you recommend I utilize over the next 5 weeks since I have already taken the prep course?

Thanks

Retake

If you can't get where you need to be by December, take it in February or June. Delaying for a cycle is totally fine. I did it, and I was pushing 30. There's no rush.

Check out the lsat prep forum. I would start with Noodley's guide and go from there.

BigZuck wrote:Retake

If you can't get where you need to be by December, take it in February or June. Delaying for a cycle is totally fine. I did it, and I was pushing 30. There's no rush.

Check out the lsat prep forum. I would start with Noodley's guide and go from there.

I have already taken this year off and looking to start in Fall 2015. Don't know how much longer I can work as a clerk and live at my folks' place for.

where do you want to work

you've mentioned schools in four different states, only one of which reaches nationally, and its very unlikely you'll get into that school.

a retake could save you hundreds of thousands of dollars over your lifetime.

jbagelboy wrote:where do you want to work

you've mentioned schools in four different states, only one of which reaches nationally, and its very unlikely you'll get into that school.

ultimately I would like to become a sports agent, cliche I know, but someone's gotta do it. I honestly have no idea where I want to work, but more than likely California. I figured my best bet at breaking into the industry is to attend UCLA law in order to build the appropriate networks.

chances of becoming a sports agent are pretty slim. if you're gonna shoot for that you might want to not have 200k+ in debt to crush you when you fail don't you think

patogordo wrote:chances of becoming a sports agent are pretty slim. if you're gonna shoot for that you might want to not have 200k+ in debt to crush you when you fail don't you think

i feel ya on that one, but I think a J.D. from UCLA might help cushion the blow a lil bit and open up some other doors

You won't ever become a sports agent

People who do tend to be 1. incredibly connected, 2. incredibly hardworking, and 3. incredibly lucky. Hard to tell if you're 1 or 3 but we already knew you're not 2. considering you're already coming up with excuses as to why you won't put your nose to the grindstone and improve your lsat score to where it needs to be and because 6 months of living with the folks has already crushed your spirit.

You need to get a bit more geographic focus, this is a random smattering of regional schools and you can't possibly have the requisite ties to seriously consider all of them.

Only doors UCLA will open up over, say, Davis is big/mid size firms for people toward the top of the class. Once you're in the unwashed masses outside of the top 3rd or so you're just going to be another schmo grinding trying to scrounge something up. That something will likely not be high paying and they're not going to let you anywhere close to professional athletes.

Sticker at UCLA will put you closer to 300K in debt than 200K in debt

If you are ok with modest career outcomes (say small firm/local government job making about 40-50K starting out) then go to the state flagship law school in your home state on a full ride and hope you can snag something. If you're not ok with that, then retake.

BigZuck wrote:You won't ever become a sports agent

People who do tend to be 1. incredibly connected, 2. incredibly hardworking, and 3. incredibly lucky. Hard to tell if you're 1 or 3 but we already knew you're not 2. considering you're already coming up with excuses as to why you won't put your nose to the grindstone and improve your lsat score to where it needs to be and because 6 months of living with the folks has already crushed your spirit.

You need to get a bit more geographic focus, this is a random smattering of regional schools and you can't possibly have the requisite ties to seriously consider all of them.

Only doors UCLA will open up over, say, Davis is big/mid size firms for people toward the top of the class. Once you're in the unwashed masses outside of the top 3rd or so you're just going to be another schmo grinding trying to scrounge something up. That something will likely not be high paying and they're not going to let you anywhere close to professional athletes.

Sticker at UCLA will put you closer to 300K in debt than 200K in debt

If you are ok with modest career outcomes (say small firm/local government job making about 40-50K starting out) then go to the state flagship law school in your home state on a full ride and hope you can snag something. If you're not ok with that, then retake.

I appreciate the brutal honesty. I'm from the Los Angeles area, so there is not really a flagship school in my area worth considering. I was hoping to attend UCLA in order to build the needed connections. In essence it would be more like 22 months because I would have to take in June and apply for the Fall 2016 semester. And I used to think I was lucky until I got a 162 in my inbox on Monday :/ i am willing to grind for the next 5 weeks and retake in December, but not sure if my odds are better to spend my time prepping my resume/personal statement and EDing or retaking and applying later in the cycle. Any advice? Also what would be the best 5 week study plan for someone who has already taken a Testmaster's prep course? Thanks