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I'll keep it to the point. I am $200k+ in student debt from undergrad and law school, but am an incoming first-year in big law. My credit score has always been good, but currently is very average and between 650-700 at the moment. While I do understand the benefits of refinancing and reducing 5-8% loans to 3.5% (is this a liberal estimate?), I am not very knowledgeable about the timing of refinancing. I do understand that credit scores have a pretty large role in determining what rate you'll get refinanced at, but thats pretty much the extent of what I know. I've read the sticky thread personal finance 101 and read big law investor, but haven't seen much about a threshold, if you will, that your credit score should cross before refinancing to get a better rate. From my understanding, those sources just say refinance asap (especially big law investor). So I guess my questions are these:
(1) should one just refinance with a less-than-great credit score and take what they give you (obv negotiating it w/ diff. companies) b/c it'll still be lower than your current rate, or wait until credit score is better to get a better rate; and
(2) is refinancing worth giving up attractive federal repayment plans?

Appreciate any feedback.

Do not refinance until you have spent some time in big law. I refinanced shortly after starting and regretted doing it since I realized I freaking hated my job. Much better to get the government perks unless you think you can stomach big law for 4-6 years. Even then, keep the higher interest rates and just pay down more than the minimums every month and you'll see the principal amount go down pretty fast.