First time poster, should I quit my job? Forum

[BetterThanJobin]

Here goes.......
I graduated in Fall 2005 with a B.A. in Poli Sci, GPA 3.25. Took my LSAT October 2005. I got my LSAT score back. 149. This was disheartening since I had taken the Testmasters weekend course, studied for 2-3 months and PT's were in the low to mid 160's. I expected much better out of myself.

I gave up on the idea of law school. I took some time off and found a job in insurance

So down to the meat of the story. My decision to go to law school materialized again in the last few months and I have decided to give it another go. I have also been given the nudge by a close family member who is a very successful attorney in our mid-sized metropolitan area. He wants to retire in 3-4 years and has a well established practice, very good connections, etc. He would like for me to "take over" his practice as he has no one to leave it to and has has always thought I would be a good attorney. Needless to say I am very humbled by his confidence in me.

I am planning on applying to LS in Fall 2010 and plan on taking the LSAT in October 2010. Since my GPA isn't all that stellar I know that an excellent LSAT is a must to be competitive. I have the opportunity to be able to take the next 5 months off (possibly working part time at an unrelated job or not working at all) and completely devote myself to the LSAT. Will it matter on my application that I have an employment gap?? Be advised, I have only been with my current company for 8 months. I am afraid it will look bad on admissions to leave this job so early. I have even entertained finding a part time job at my company, just to keep a steady history with them, resume-wise. But I feel it might me worth the gain in my LSAT score if the WE factor doesn't hurt me on the application.

I have also considered saying to hell with it all and just going to the non-accredited night school in my city with my lame-o 149 (if it hasn't fallen off by now from the 5 year reporting period) since I pretty much have a guaranteed job. The school is about 20k total for 4 years and very well respected in our area. There's just a part of me that hates spending time on a degree with no accreditation especially if I ever wanted/needed to move out of state for work (I tend to explore all scenarios).


So there you have it. I feel this post is ridiculously long and I apologize profusely. Thanks for your time (and hopefully advice) in advance.

"edited so that "someone will read it" thanks:)"

[clintonius]

He wants to retire and hand his entire practice over to somebody fresh out of law school?

[kevin261186]

if you feel that you would significantly improve your LSAT score by taking this time off work, do it. the gap in you can take this time off (financially) then do it and don't worry about the gap in employment, the increase in score will more than mitigate this nearly irrelevant factor.

[Mr. Pablo]

Here goes.......
I graduated in Fall 2005 with a B.A. in Poli Sci, GPA 3.25. Took my LSAT October 2005. I got my LSAT score back. 149. This was disheartening since I had taken the Testmasters weekend course, studied for 2-3 months and PT's were in the low to mid 160's. I expected much better out of myself.

I gave up on the idea of law school. I took some time off and found a job in insurance
My decision to go to law school materialized again in the last few months and I have decided to give it another go. I have also been given the nudge by a close family member who is a very successful attorney in our mid-sized metropolitan area. He wants to retire in 3-4 years and has a well established practice, very good connections, etc. He would like for me to "take over" his practice as he has no one to leave it to and has has always thought I would be a good attorney.

I am planning on applying to LS in Fall 2010 and plan on taking the LSAT in October 2010. Since my GPA isn't all that stellar I know that an excellent LSAT is a must to be competitive. I have the opportunity to be able to take the next 5 months off (possibly working part time at an unrelated job or not working at all) and completely devote myself to the LSAT. Will it matter on my application that I have an employment gap?? I have even entertained finding a part time job at my company, just to keep a steady history with them, resume-wise.


So there you have it. I feel this post is ridiculously long and I apologize profusely. Thanks for your time (and hopefully advice) in advance.

So I edited your post so that someone will actually read it and respond to you.

[BetterThanJobin]

Well, not exactly. He may stay on for a few years after but not much. In a perfect world I would hope to go to LS somewhere close so that I can work there in the summers to get exposed to everything. I have worked with him for a few summers previously as well. I definitely have no delusions of being ready to go straight out of the gate.

[sibley]

Well, not exactly. He may stay on for a few years after but not much. In a perfect world I would hope to go to LS somewhere close so that I can work there in the summers to get exposed to everything. I have worked with him for a few summers previously as well. I definitely have no delusions of being ready to go straight out of the gate.

Retake the LSAT, improve that score. JUST so you can get some scholarship from somewhere. If you're taking over his practice and are satisfied with the type of law, etc, you should just accrue as little debt as possible. Or, if your state allows it, just go take the bar instead.

[viking138]

Your friend is a lawyer so hopefully has already mentioned this but if you are going to enter law school with the expectation that you will join his firm at the end of it (and eventually take over) then be sure you have it in a contract. Seriously.

[pinkzeppelin]

Your friend is a lawyer so hopefully has already mentioned this but if you are going to enter law school with the expectation that you will join his firm at the end of it (and eventually take over) then be sure you have it in a contract. Seriously.

TITCR!

If you can get over ~165 I'd say that you might not need that assurance, but don't go to some TTT without a contract from an employer ensuring employment.

[Kobe_Teeth]

You can't study while you work? Oct. is 5 months away.

I taught high school...not the toughest job but certainly one that drained my patience and energy and I managed to study every night for 1-4 hrs. Buck up camper...don't quit your job...start saving money. If you can't work all day then study at night...how will you get through law school?

[efs410]

I agree you can study for the lsat while working full time. Quiting your job would be silly. If anything I would recommend working for the family friend with the law office now and get some experience while you study for the lsat and apply to law school.