Switching directions to law school Forum

[9w9]

Background: 3.8 bio major at a well-known state school, currently a senior. I think I will be graduating this semester but if necessary I can stay another (to raise GPA a further 0.02). I have leadership experience in several campus organizations, long-term research experience, and will be published in a scientific journal.

I have recently become interested in law school and possibly applying for Fall 2016 matriculation. My plan is to start preparing for the LSAT starting January, which I should be able to do full time since I will have graduated. I would be able to retake it several times if necessary by the time of application.

(1) I don't have any work experience. Should I try to seek out some sort of work experience for 2015-2016?
(2) Does this sound like a viable plan for getting admission to a decent LS?
(3) How can I strengthen my application before applying?

Thanks.

[Kratos]

Background: 3.8 bio major at a well-known state school, currently a senior. I think I will be graduating this semester but if necessary I can stay another (to raise GPA a further 0.02). I have leadership experience in several campus organizations, long-term research experience, and will be published in a scientific journal.

I have recently become interested in law school and possibly applying for Fall 2016 matriculation. My plan is to start preparing for the LSAT starting January, which I should be able to do full time since I will have graduated. I would be able to retake it several times if necessary by the time of application.

(1) I don't have any work experience. Should I try to seek out some sort of work experience for 2015-2016?
(2) Does this sound like a viable plan for getting admission to a decent LS?
(3) How can I strengthen my application before applying?

Thanks.

This sounds like a very viable plan. Also, absolutely get some work experience. Maybe even more than a year. With that GPA and a good LSAT score you will have a lot of good options.

[9w9]

This sounds like a very viable plan. Also, absolutely get some work experience. Maybe even more than a year. With that GPA and a good LSAT score you will have a lot of good options.

Will the type of work matter? I have done full time research in past summers (I am technically an employee of my school). I could continue full-time research, though that would be a significant distraction from LSAT prep.

[Kratos]

This sounds like a very viable plan. Also, absolutely get some work experience. Maybe even more than a year. With that GPA and a good LSAT score you will have a lot of good options.

Will the type of work matter? I have done full time research in past summers (I am technically an employee of my school). I could continue full-time research, though that would be a significant detractor from the time I have for LSAT prep.

For admissions? Probably not, its mostly a numbers game.

Why do you want to go to law school anyway? I feel like a 3.8 bio major could probably have some good options outside of this shit industry

[Ron Don Volante]

yeah why do you want to do this OP?

Sounds like you have a nice background and are a good kid who could do good things for the world; why do you seek this path of crippling, inglorious despair?

[Attax]

yeah why do you want to do this OP?

Sounds like you have a nice background and are a good kid who could do good things for the world; why do you seek this path of crippling, inglorious despair?

Some people who have research backgrounds realized how mundane the research process is to the point of being pushed out of it. Scientific research sounds so much better from the outside than it does from the inside.

[fats provolone]

legal research, on the other hand, incredibly vibrant and exciting

[rion91]

legal research, on the other hand, incredibly vibrant and exciting

lel

[KMart]

1. Yes - the type of WE doesn't matter too much.
2. Yes
3. Work is going to do more for you than a .02 rise in GPA

Not sure why you want to do what you're planning on doing, but best of luck.

[AReasonableMan]

The LSAT is going to be the major thing for you. Work experience is good but not sufficient nor necessary.

[KMart]

The LSAT is going to be the major thing for you. Work experience is good but not sufficient nor necessary.

This is true but you don't want a 12 month gap in your resume when applying. If you can't balance work and the LSAT then 12 months might be ok, but they don't want to see you doing nothing.

[AReasonableMan]

The LSAT is going to be the major thing for you. Work experience is good but not sufficient nor necessary.

This is true but you don't want a 12 month gap in your resume when applying. If you can't balance work and the LSAT then 12 months might be ok, but they don't want to see you doing nothing.

True, but a point or two is more valuable. A flexible job with high pay per hour but not many hours is ideal. Waiting tables, bartending, etc. Anything like that is probably ideal unless you can get a legit good job.

[eriedoctrine]

Why not med school? You have a great GPA considering your major.
Do you want to help people, or hurt people?
I chose the latter.

[KMart]

True, but a point or two is more valuable.

Absolutely 100% agreed. I'm sorry to OP if this wasn't clear.

[UnicornHunter]

The LSAT is going to be the major thing for you. Work experience is good but not sufficient nor necessary.

This is true but you don't want a 12 month gap in your resume when applying. If you can't balance work and the LSAT then 12 months might be ok, but they don't want to see you doing nothing.

True, but a point or two is more valuable. A flexible job with high pay per hour but not many hours is ideal. Waiting tables, bartending, etc. Anything like that is probably ideal unless you can get a legit good job.

A legit good job is always preferable to law school.

[AReasonableMan]

The LSAT is going to be the major thing for you. Work experience is good but not sufficient nor necessary.

This is true but you don't want a 12 month gap in your resume when applying. If you can't balance work and the LSAT then 12 months might be ok, but they don't want to see you doing nothing.

True, but a point or two is more valuable. A flexible job with high pay per hour but not many hours is ideal. Waiting tables, bartending, etc. Anything like that is probably ideal unless you can get a legit good job.

A legit good job is always preferable to law school.

Yeah but with a 3.8 in a hard science, this is someone smart enough to benefit from further education. There's too much advocating the same advice regardless of the facts. In any economy, some people should stay in school and some should join the labor force early. OP is the former. Being a doctor is probably the better call though.