Is everyone trying for t20 or what? Forum

[lawat43]

Just curious. I see so many posts about people wanting to retake with a 165 or more. I get that the more you score the more money you can get from scholarships. But if a score in the 160's and a good GPA isn't getting you where you want then where is everyone applying? I'm interested to know if everyone here is aiming for Harvard or Yale. I would be very happy with a 160+ score. I want to do public interest law and there are some good schools near me (Boston) that have a good program for that. Maybe I am aiming too low, but if I get into Northeastern or Suffolk then I am going. Note: I am unable to leave the area because I am settled with a family, and all that..

[barkschool]

What type of public interest law are you trying to do?

Is money an object?

[oreomilkshake]

I feel like I'm one of the people this is aimed toward lol.

[BigZuck]

OP- I'm not really sure what you're asking about or trying to get at. What motivated your post?

Anyway, just getting in and going doesn't make sense unless you have a worthwhile scholarship, the GI Bill, or a rich benefactor paying your way.

Some people like to maximize their chances and put themselves in the best possible place they can at the beginning of their legal career, which means going to the best possible school they can.

Some people need big scholarships for law school to be worthwhile, so they retake the LSAT until they can get into a school at an appropriate cost.

[lawat43]

I'm not looking to take on a huge amount of debt. That certainly is a motivating factor, but not as big as finding a program that I feel is right for me. I don't have a rich benefactor or anything, but my financial situation is not bad. I'm a little older and have been in the workforce a while. As far as the type of PI law I plan on doing - I would like to be involved in civil litigation, handling individual cases for medium to low income people and families, dispute resolution, stuff like that. I only plan on taking the LSAT once in February and have been studying a lot and would love a 180, but realistically I'd take 165 because I know it would get me into a good, not top of the line or anything, but a good school with possibly some scholarships. Ideally I would like to go to BC. They have a great PI program and they are conveniently located for me.

[TheSpanishMain]

Don't go to Northeastern or Suffolk.

[Glasseyes]

Don't go to Northeastern or Suffolk.

+1

Just because a school has a program in a particular field of law does not mean you will actually find meaningful work in that field post graduation. When the schools in question are Northeastern and Suffolk, you're looking at abysmal odds. Those schools seem to put out a lot of local prosecutors, but we're talking small town jobs that will still be fought over. For the Boston area, BU or BC is a defensible choice for someone with goals like yours, provided you get enough scholarship money (meaning: full ride or close). The reason to maximize your LSAT is to give you access to schools that actually place grads in jobs, and to maximize your financial aid from those schools. If you leave LSAT points on the table, you're leaving $$$$ on the table. Aim high!