Coming to terms with desTTTiny? Forum

[tapenade]

Silly title aside, I've been seriously considering my goals to attend a "top" law school next year. I've been studying for the LSAT for years it seems, though only recently in earnest. With three months until September and my most recent PT being 153 (down from 160 diagnostic), I'm wondering if the T14 is an unlikely goal.

Biglaw, clerkships, etc. sound nice but my goals are a bit less grandiose. I'd like to work in government or public service and practice law. Maybe USAO, serving on the bench, or running for office some day. All of those things seem possible coming from a local school. So should I just focus on attending the best school in my home state, Florida, or is HYS required for a local DA gig?

TL;DR 3.7 / 150~ ish(PT) URM wants to practice in Miami, not gunning for SCOTUS nom. UF/FSU with $$$ TCR?

[UVA2B]

If your goal is to be a local DA in Florida, you should absolutely go to FSU/UF for as much scholarship money as you can get. Those will be better for your goals than going to a T13 because you'll be able to network more extensively and get plugged in with the right people. Prestige means much, much less when we're talking about local DA gigs.

But make sure it's as close to free as you can get, because you're unlikely to ever make big bucks coming from that background. But you're right to realign your target schools with more modest goals like a local DA.

[grixxlybear99]

Biglaw, clerkships, etc. sound nice but my goals are a bit less grandiose. I'd like to work in government or public service and practice law. Maybe USAO, serving on the bench, or running for office some day. All of those things seem possible coming from a local school.

Becoming an AUSA, a Federal Judge, or winning political office are much more grandiose than a clerkship or biglaw. I think you need to hire a tutor and get some more life experience. But then again, becoming a local judge or an ASA in Florida from UF (full-ride, which unfortunately, I don't believe a 3.7/150 can get) is not impossible.

[tapenade]

Biglaw, clerkships, etc. sound nice but my goals are a bit less grandiose. I'd like to work in government or public service and practice law. Maybe USAO, serving on the bench, or running for office some day. All of those things seem possible coming from a local school.

Becoming an AUSA, a Federal Judge, or winning political office are much more grandiose than a clerkship or biglaw. I think you need to hire a tutor and get some more life experience. But then again, becoming a local judge or an ASA in Florida from UF (full-ride, which unfortunately, I don't believe a 3.7/150 can get) is not impossible.

I have about 4 years of work experience post grad, not a KJD. You're right, though! I'm currently living abroad so it would be really difficult to find a tutor as I'm not fluent in the local language.

I'll keep shooting for a 180, but I hope attending a school like FSU/UF wouldn't be the end of the world.

[Pozzo]

What is your study plan? It "seems" like you've been studying for years, but have you actually? Don't just "shoot" for 180. Find a plan that fits your lifestyle and work toward it. If you've scored a 160 in the past, smart studying can get you the additional points to put you in the T14 range. Don't rush to apply; if you're not ready in September, wait. Law school will always be there.

But to echo those above, evaluate your goals and why you want to do those things, then adjust your plan of attack accordingly.

[TheSpanishMain]

but I hope attending a school like FSU/UF wouldn't be the end of the world.

If you want to be a DA in Florida, then no, attending UF or FSU is not a bad way to go. Just make sure you're keeping your costs as low as possible so you can survive on a 50kish starting salary.

[tapenade]

What is your study plan? It "seems" like you've been studying for years, but have you actually? Don't just "shoot" for 180. Find a plan that fits your lifestyle and work toward it. If you've scored a 160 in the past, smart studying can get you the additional points to put you in the T14 range. Don't rush to apply; if you're not ready in September, wait. Law school will always be there.

But to echo those above, evaluate your goals and why you want to do those things, then adjust your plan of attack accordingly.

I didn't mean to imply that I've been studying consistently for years, just that I've started and stopped several times. My current plan is to finish my last Manhattan book and then drill until September. LG and to a lesser extent LR destroy me, I wish the whole test was RC!

You're right, I guess I'm just getting a bit frustrated and impatient. Thanks for the advice

[carsondalywashere]

If you do well on RC, you very easily could study your way up to a 165+ score. That's a section many people have a hard time improving. Perfection in games and heavily decreasing your error rate in LR are both very attainable goals.