I cannot afford the PowerScore books.... Forum

[OmbreGracieuse]

Does anyone know what the second-best alternative would be? I have the normal LSAC administered book (they sent it to me in the mail), and a friend let me borrow the Barron's guide. Any suggestions? Are the ones I have sufficient, or are there better ones? (I know the PowerScore are better to some, but I don't have $20+ per book). I am looking to spend between $20-$30 total.

Thanks!

[abbas123]

the ones you have are not enough. some ppl will suggest printer + internet are all you need, but there's an ethical debate abt that

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =6&t=33535

[gbpackerbacker]

<<<< Hoping for good LSAT karma...

When are you taking the test? I'd be happy to send my materials free of charge after June 7th.

[actorlaw]

Preparing for the LSAT is a stepping stone for your career and the rest of your life...

I understand some people can't invest a lot of money into preparation, but it will totally be worth it down the line. The couple of hundred dollars you invest now could easily turn into thousands of dollars you earn in scholarship money... Just a thought.

[rsuelzer]

No to be a dick... but you can afford law school?

[Geist13]

I mean, the books cost 41 dollars a piece on amazon. My current total spent on LSAC for applications, LSAT, practice tests etc. is well over $1,000 (and I had fee waivers for almost every school I applied to). 41 dollars is one days worth of work at minimum wage.

edit: Did I mention I was making minimum wage when I was applying and studying for the LSAT?

[romothesavior]

Look at it this way... this is an investment in your future. You should be willing to shell out some money for them.

That said, if you REALLY can't afford them all, just get whichever section you are struggling on the most. The LG Bible was the best for me, and I think it is the best one overall. You should absolutely get it.

[dakatz]

Why not search ebay or craigslist and try to find some used copies? I bought some used ones that had little to no writing in them, and got them for under $20. They weren't the newest editions, but I don't really think it made a difference. Books like this are too important to skimp on. Always think long-term. Just a few extra points could mean thousands in scholarship money. I'd say its worth it.

[LSHPFL10]

I have copies of the newest versions that I no longer have any need for.

PM me for details, OP.

[tomwatts]

To anyone in a comparable situation who can't rely on the generosity of donors: Get PTs and just about any book of technique. The only thing that the PS Bibles have going for them, as far as I can tell, is that they're a one-stop shop: you get real LSAT questions and technique in one place. But if you get, say, Cracking the LSAT (which is what I used) and a bunch of PTs, you get the same thing for possibly less. It just requires that you get two or three books instead of one.

[Cole S. Law]

If you're not resourceful enough to figure this out, you're facing serious problems beyond LSAT prep. Perhaps you're hoping that a sympathetic story will prompt someone to send you copies. This is understandable given the current cultural climate. I won't send you a free book, but I will prompt you with a couple of the obvious solutions that you should have come up with on your own:

$.99 notebook + $2 coffee + Barnes and Noble + Saturday = Powerscore prep in the store.

Library card.

Edit: Looks like you found a sucker. Perhaps you're more resourceful than I gave you credit for. Did I mention that I really want a Rolex but simply can't afford one? Just checking.

[OmbreGracieuse]

Preparing for the LSAT is a stepping stone for your career and the rest of your life...

I understand some people can't invest a lot of money into preparation, but it will totally be worth it down the line. The couple of hundred dollars you invest now could easily turn into thousands of dollars you earn in scholarship money... Just a thought.

It isn't a matter of investing, I physically don't have that money. I made less than 11k for a 3 family household last year-- the money quite simply is not there. I am consciously aware that investing the money would be beneficial, and if I had it I would do it, and never would have had to ask what comes in second place.

[OmbreGracieuse]

Why not search ebay or craigslist and try to find some used copies? I bought some used ones that had little to no writing in them, and got them for under $20. They weren't the newest editions, but I don't really think it made a difference. Books like this are too important to skimp on. Always think long-term. Just a few extra points could mean thousands in scholarship money. I'd say its worth it.

I live not too far from ND, so you would think my Craigslist has them. Not a single one. :\

[OmbreGracieuse]

No to be a dick... but you can afford law school?

About as much as I can afford my UG. I have some very BIG scholarships, some COL loans and I am hoping by the time I get out of LS, I can afford to make loan repayments.

It is a very valid concern.

[OmbreGracieuse]

If you're not resourceful enough to figure this out, you're facing serious problems beyond LSAT prep. Perhaps you're hoping that a sympathetic story will prompt someone to send you copies. This is understandable given the current cultural climate. I won't send you a free book, but I will prompt you with a couple of the obvious solutions that you should have come up with on your own:

$.99 notebook + $2 coffee + Barnes and Noble + Saturday = Powerscore prep in the store.

Library card.

Edit: Looks like you found a sucker. Perhaps you're more resourceful than I gave you credit for. Did I mention that I really want a Rolex but simply can't afford one? Just checking.

I am actually not looking to pick a fight with anyone. And, I really wasn't looking to get such a fire started with you- I was just wondering what the next-best alternative would be.

[romothesavior]

Ombre, I may have an extra book lying around here somewhere. Let me see. I'll PM you if I do.

[basicgrey7]

Do you live close to your undergrad? I live in Illinois and we have interlibrary loan where you can search all the books in the state and no matter where it is, they will send you as many books as you want to your library to be checked out there. I did this for a lot of prep books. I never used it, but I guess our pre-law advisor had books in the reserved section that those studying for the lsat could check out to use in the library. I would see about the library and talk to your pre-law advisor at undergrad.

[OmbreGracieuse]

Do you live close to your undergrad? I live in Illinois and we have interlibrary loan where you can search all the books in the state and no matter where it is, they will send you as many books as you want to your library to be checked out there. I did this for a lot of prep books. I never used it, but I guess our pre-law advisor had books in the reserved section that those studying for the lsat could check out to use in the library. I would see about the library and talk to your pre-law advisor at undergrad.

I live right by ND, but can't check it out from there. I graduate in May so when I tried it pulled up a blocker. I think they are worried I will graduate and they won't get their books back.

[nStiver]

I'm not suggesting anything unethical or illegal, but I Think a simple gOogle seaRch of "lsat" oR something AloNg those lines mighT give you some options...

[mazzini]

Man, some people are assholes. I'm looking at you Cole. Ombre, I am currently trying to help my friend study with the powerscore books that I used but let me know via PM in the next few days if you are still in need. I have some things that may help, especially if you or someone you know (so that you don't see the answers) are cool with erasing a bunch of pages.

[skip james]

If you're not resourceful enough to figure this out, you're facing serious problems beyond LSAT prep. Perhaps you're hoping that a sympathetic story will prompt someone to send you copies. This is understandable given the current cultural climate. I won't send you a free book, but I will prompt you with a couple of the obvious solutions that you should have come up with on your own:

$.99 notebook + $2 coffee + Barnes and Noble + Saturday = Powerscore prep in the store.

Library card.

Edit: Looks like you found a sucker. Perhaps you're more resourceful than I gave you credit for. Did I mention that I really want a Rolex but simply can't afford one? Just checking.

Seriously though, I actually did this. But not only with the Powerscore Bibles, but with every LSAT prep book I could find.

[Thirteen]

Ombre, PM sent.

[jamesieee]

The LR and LG Bibles are worth buying new. Don't bother with the RC. I don't believe you can't scrape together another $40 for the best tools out there. As for PT's, I'm also not advocating anything illegal, but a lot of them are in scanned PDF format floating around on the Internet.

[OmbreGracieuse]

I ended up going to bed, and cannot believe how many new messages there were here when I woke up. I was really looking for advice more than anything; I appreciate everyone who took the time to give positive suggestions and feedback. I now have an official game plan of action, and it includes hot chocolate! Then again, anything including hot chocolate has got to be a good idea.

[Cole S. Law]

Man, some people are assholes. I'm looking at you Cole. Ombre, I am currently trying to help my friend study with the powerscore books that I used but let me know via PM in the next few days if you are still in need. I have some things that may help, especially if you or someone you know (so that you don't see the answers) are cool with erasing a bunch of pages.

Man, some people are willing to enable learned helplessness at every turn. Continue to feel superior as you valiantly remove any obstacle, however minor, from anyone who asks. Future clients will be well served by practitioners whose only recourse to tiny setbacks is cyber-begging.

You are a true American hero.