Starting applications over after dropping out 20 years ago Forum

[Mousebandit]

Hi! I'm considering re-applying to law school, after dropping out in my first semester, 20 years ago. I'm wondering, first, how negatively will the withdrawal impact my chances for acceptance now, and secondly, how would a school that I had turned down back then, weigh that factor should I re-apply to them?

In 1996, I was graduating undergrad, with a 3.3 or so gpa, and had a 173 LSAT (97th percentile, I think the scale may have changed since). I was accepted to a few different schools, including an offer of a Presidential Scholarship (full ride) at a smaller school, which I turned down. (Yes, I was an idiot!). I accepted at a state school with only a small aid package, and not enough funds to live on. I blew out halfway through first semester, due to personal drama and trying to work plus do school.

Twenty years later, I still haven't lost my desire to practice law, and I am considering starting the application process again. I feel confident I could repeat my LSAT performance, and I would now be hugely interested in the school that formerly offered me a full ride because they offer a satellite program in Alaska, where I want to live and practice.

Anyway, any opinions or insights into how that school and any others would view my prior law school applications and very short semester?

Thanks!
MouseBandit

[theconsigliere]

People routinely reapply in consecutive cycles and in general it is not seen as a negative if you turn down an offer in, say 2016, and then reapply in 2017. It will definitely not have any effect with 20 years in between. I'd be shocked if any school even knew that you applied to their school 20 years prior (although you might have to disclose it on the app). This is a nonissue.

[A. Nony Mouse]

They will know that you enrolled in a law school, yes. But I agree that it shouldn't be a big deal, especially since it sounds like you withdrew rather than failing out - as long as you can give a good explanation why you want to go to law school now.