LSAT Misconduct Forum

[CalBear1986]

So I'm really worried about this, as I guess I should be and deserve to be. BUT I got caught on the LSAT this week bubbling after time ran out. It was on the last section so I finished my test and they let me do the writing sample, but I know they wrote me down for a "warning" or "misconduct".

Does anyone have experience with this? I'm sure I'm going to be in trouble and my test will probably be invalidated, but does this pretty much mean no law school would take me?

[crossingforHYS]

So I'm really worried about this, as I guess I should be and deserve to be. BUT I got caught on the LSAT this week bubbling after time ran out. It was on the last section so I finished my test and they let me do the writing sample, but I know they wrote me down for a "warning" or "misconduct".

Does anyone have experience with this? I'm sure I'm going to be in trouble and my test will probably be invalidated, but does this pretty much mean no law school would take me?

was this in la? and no, no experience sorry! but search the forums...

[ScaredWorkedBored]

LSAT misconduct = legal career over before it begins.

[Kilpatrick]

This happened to a guy at the September LSAT last year. He made two threads about it:

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =6&t=87500

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =6&t=90215

[jeremydc]

Sorry to hear that, hope everything works out for you.

[Miniver]

...

[thesealocust]

nm

[miamiman]

LSAT misconduct = legal career over before it begins.

That couldn't be farther from the truth. If they cancel your score, you might need to sit out a cycle. What's going to be paramount here is that you deftly account for the lapse, take full responsibility, and (in all likelihood) separate yourself from the admissions cycle for a round. It might also behoove you to speak to a professor/someone in a position of authority that can speak to your character.

Hope that helps and best of luck to you.

[06132010]

good job, champ. I doubt you'll get into any school worth going to.

[CalBear1986]

good job, champ. I doubt you'll get into any school worth going to.

You're right and that's what I'm worried about, though I only have myself to blame. I may have shot my whole career in the foot before it started...

I guess, what I was looking for, is if anyone has had this happen to them and if they could maybe let me know when they found out. I've heard it just comes across as "cancelled" or "hold" when all the scores are announced, or do you hear of a misconduct violation earlier?

[ScaredWorkedBored]

LSAT misconduct = legal career over before it begins.

That couldn't be farther from the truth. If they cancel your score, you might need to sit out a cycle. What's going to be paramount here is that you deftly account for the lapse, take full responsibility, and (in all likelihood) separate yourself from the admissions cycle for a round.

LSAT misconduct reports are sent to all schools you apply to as well as the state bars of jurisdictions where you seek admission.

Don't believe me? See http://www.lsac.org/pdfs/Rules-Miscondu ... arites.pdf, at 6.

SECTION 12. Report to Affected Persons or Institutions.
(a) A report of a determination shall include:
(1) the written decision and an explanation of the determination;
(2) copies of documentary evidence;
(3) evidence that the candidate was notified of the allegations and given an opportunity to respond;
(4) copies of responses by the candidate, if any; and
(5) other relevant material that the Subcommittee Representative or Subcommittee Chair determines would assist an affected person or institution.

(b) The report or appropriate portion shall be distributed to affected persons or institutions, which include but are not limited to:
(1) the candidate who is the subject of the report;
(2) law schools to which the candidate has applied or subsequently applies;
(3) bar admission and grievance authorities in jurisdictions where the candidate is admitted or seeks admission to practice;
(4) other persons or institutions deemed by the Subcommittee Representative or Subcommittee Chair to have appropriate interest; and
(5) LSAC staff.

(c) The report shall not include recommendations for action by parties receiving a report of its conclusions.

OP committed LSAT misconduct. Specifically, OP actively cheated (working past time) to improve his grade (as opposed to forgetting about a cell phone or other plausible "accident") and thus obtain personal advantage. Other than overt lying to them, the one thing that law schools and state bars hate the most is "white collar" misconduct like this.

It's pretty much whistling past the graveyard to tell the OP "hey, nbd. Take a year off and show maturity." If LSAC does bring an official misconduct report per their procedures, OP will know about it - and he's stuck with it. All OP can do is respond & appeal and hope it doesn't stick. Ignoring it ain't gonna help much.

[sumus romani]

The matter is pretty straightforward, so far as I can tell. If the OP had really wanted to be an attorney (not for the prestige, money, etc.), then the OP would not have cheated. Since the OP cheated, the OP will not get into an elite law school. Since the OP will not get into an elite law school, then it is irrational for the OP to go (since the OP is in it as a purely financial decision, or for prestige, etc.). Thus, the OP would go to law school only irrationally, given the OP's motives. What more can there be to say?

[Mr. Matlock]

The matter is pretty straightforward, so far as I can tell. If the OP had really wanted to be an attorney (not for the prestige, money, etc.), then the OP would not have cheated. Since the OP cheated, the OP will not get into an elite law school. Since the OP will not get into an elite law school, then it is irrational for the OP to go (since the OP is in it as a purely financial decision, or for prestige, etc.). Thus, the OP would go to law school only irrationally, given the OP's motives. What more can there be to say?

Fecal matter.

[06132010]

The matter is pretty straightforward, so far as I can tell. If the OP had really wanted to be an attorney (not for the prestige, money, etc.), then the OP would not have cheated. Since the OP cheated, the OP will not get into an elite law school. Since the OP will not get into an elite law school, then it is irrational for the OP to go (since the OP is in it as a purely financial decision, or for prestige, etc.). Thus, the OP would go to law school only irrationally, given the OP's motives. What more can there be to say?

this could be the stupidest post I've read all day. congrats!

[miamiman]

Lots of people who have had ethics violations get into top law schools. That is all that needs to be said.

OP, I suggest you pick up a copy of "Getting into a Top Law School"; the author discusses these types of issues at length.

[Bildungsroman]

Lots of people who have had ethics violations get into top law schools. That is all that needs to be said.

That is actually significantly less than needs to be said.

[Unitas]

The matter is pretty straightforward, so far as I can tell. If the OP had really wanted to be an attorney (not for the prestige, money, etc.), then the OP would not have cheated. Since the OP cheated, the OP will not get into an elite law school. Since the OP will not get into an elite law school, then it is irrational for the OP to go (since the OP is in it as a purely financial decision, or for prestige, etc.). Thus, the OP would go to law school only irrationally, given the OP's motives. What more can there be to say?

this could be the stupidest post I've read all day. congrats!

This week has been slow, so I'll say the stupidest post all week.