Looking for honest and serious advice Forum

[RefleX]

I'm not sure if it's just that time in my life to question things before I get into them (23yr), or the anticipation of getting my LSAT score, but I'm having mixed thoughts about attending law school. To be honest my GPA is far from stellar, ranging from 3.0-3.14 depending on how LSAC interprets it, and after the December 2010 I'd be happy with low 160's albeit I was probably hitting low 170's on my practice tests. I'm concerned that with the current state of the law market and my school of choice at the moment being Rutgers Camden that it won't be worth it. I have zero UG debt at the moment, and generally speaking money is a non-issue. Through some of my life experiences I thought that law would be an interesting path to take. From ages 17-20 I received a couple tickets for speeding and minor traffic infractions that I went to court over and worked with the prosecutor to change my charges, and I found that I was sitting there dishing out $450 in fees but I was absolutely enamored by the workings of the court, watching peoples stories and how rigid yet flexible the legal system is, albeit at such a low level. I was actually happy to be there, as weird as it sounds. I took a couple business law courses in college and absolutely loved them too. I'm argumentative and analytical by nature, and I feel like this would be a great fit for me, but I have reservations about this path. It took me a while to find a niche that I thought I could call my own, but my GPA took a hit while I searched for it. I simply wasn't happy with the courses and actions I was taking, and I couldn't put forth a good effort knowing that it wouldn't interest me. So now that I find myself with a dilemma, do I pursue a legal path knowing that it's a rough job market, or do I completely revamp my direction and find something else? I have a few mild connections in Philadelphia, which is where I want to practice, through family members and close friends. I KNOW I can become a great lawyer, but with the situation I've put myself in, can I dig myself out of the hole?

The main thing I'm concerned about is:

It is possible to go to a T-75 school with mild connections and work your way to the top? Or does the T-14 aristocracy reign supreme?
I'm trying to figure out if it is the prestige of the schools that place the top lawyers where they are, or a continuation of their hard work and effort that makes them climb the ladder, or both. I'm afraid that I'll be stuck at the midrange level regardless of effort. Thanks for your input in advance, and the more advice the merrier.

[bk1]

but with the situation I've put myself in, can I dig myself out of the hole?

Yes you can, by retaking the LSAT and reapplying next cycle.

I made the mistake of not prepping enough and hastily applying last cycle. I too have a low GPA and scored in the mid 160's on the Dec 09 LSAT and submitted in January 2010. I really wanted to go to law school that cycle, but I realized that I would be making a horrible mistake. I decided to retake the LSAT in June and find a job for the interim time period. Best decision of my life with a 170+ (I went from looking at tier 2's with half scholarships to top regional schools with 2/3+ scholarships and even some T14's).

You were scoring in the 170's on PT's. Buckle down and study your ass for June and get your apps in early next cycle. It sucks, but it will be better for you in the long.

[AreJay711]

bk187 is correct. At the same time, while I think the clients, issues, and pay of big law are attractive, if you found the day to day type of work at court interesting, it might not be bad to pass up a t14. Excellence isn't limited to biglaw. At the same time, it would probably be financially prudent to retake for a substantial scholarship somewhere.