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Hi all,

I will apologize in advance because I know this conversation has been had many a time before. However, sifting through archives on this forum can be quite a task given the incredible number of past posts, so I figured I'd start from scratch, allowing me to detail my own personal situation.

I am taking the LSAT in October. I will be traveling a bit this summer, which limits when I can start a course. In addition, I'll be back to working full time on August 25. I'm open to either an in-person or online course.

Given a diagnostic, I scored a 167. I definitely want 170s...ideal would be 175+. I need most work on LR and LG.

So, here is what I'm debating:

Kaplan 15-hours private tutoring + Access to In-Person Course starting on August 30 for $1953...not sure this leaves me enough time. I also went to a free class, and I wasn't too impressed. But perhaps their tutoring is different?

PowerScore Course for $1295 or Online Powerscore for $995...again, this would start mid-August, so the time frame scares me. However, I hear great things about PS.

Knewton: $690...again, starts mid- to late-August. I like the instructors. Don't like how the material is online.

Blueprint The Movie: $850ish...I don't have to worry about start times; I can start, travel, and then continue when I return. I like the humor and instructors.

In the end, I want the best possible course. So, I respectfully ask for opinions and recommendations.

Again, thanks!

-S

I have a friend that did Knewton and he said it's pretty solid. I would definitely stay away from Kaplan and any class that ends too close to the actual lsat day. It takes a lot of time of prepping after the class is complete to reach your peak as during the class you are just practicing new strategies. I used Stratus Prep in NYC and it was fantastic.

Tuckaseegee wrote:Hi all,

I will apologize in advance because I know this conversation has been had many a time before. However, sifting through archives on this forum can be quite a task given the incredible number of past posts, so I figured I'd start from scratch, allowing me to detail my own personal situation.

I am taking the LSAT in October. I will be traveling a bit this summer, which limits when I can start a course. In addition, I'll be back to working full time on August 25. I'm open to either an in-person or online course.

Given a diagnostic, I scored a 167. I definitely want 170s...ideal would be 175+. I need most work on LR and LG.

So, here is what I'm debating:

Kaplan 15-hours private tutoring + Access to In-Person Course starting on August 30 for $1953...not sure this leaves me enough time. I also went to a free class, and I wasn't too impressed. But perhaps their tutoring is different?

PowerScore Course for $1295 or Online Powerscore for $995...again, this would start mid-August, so the time frame scares me. However, I hear great things about PS.

Knewton: $690...again, starts mid- to late-August. I like the instructors. Don't like how the material is online.

Blueprint The Movie: $850ish...I don't have to worry about start times; I can start, travel, and then continue when I return. I like the humor and instructors.

In the end, I want the best possible course. So, I respectfully ask for opinions and recommendations.

Again, thanks!

-S

Theses courses aren't meant for people as smart as you. Hell Kaplan hires people who do worse on the real thing than you did on a diag.

Self study with the powerscore bibles. Hell you could probably just take 5-10 PTs and hit 175.

Sometimes no course is the best course.

Buy the bibles, practice tests, study before, while, and after traveling. Send me the $ you saved.

Don't waste your money on a course. You need some sets of grouped LGs and a boatload of past tests. Then 170+ for sure

Desert Fox wrote: Self study with the powerscore bibles. Hell you could probably just take 5-10 PTs and hit 175.

Here and maybe a book on informal logic too.

HiLine wrote:Here and maybe a book on informal logic too.

Just not Walton's book unless you are seeking an example of redundancy. If that's the case, I highly recommend Informal Logic: A Pragmatic Approach by Walton.

HiLine wrote:

Desert Fox wrote: Self study with the powerscore bibles. Hell you could probably just take 5-10 PTs and hit 175.

Here and maybe a book on informal logic too.

Not necessary for someone who diag'd at 167.

Thanks so far.

I know, I know...get a book and work on my own. I'm just afraid with the traveling and my job that I'll never study. I need something to keep me on track, whether it's physically showing up to a class, digitally showing up to a class, or having a new video to watch.

I think I'm leaning toward Blueprint or perhaps Knewton.

I'm def. getting the Powerscore bibles, so thanks for that suggestion!

Tuckaseegee wrote:Thanks so far.

I know, I know...get a book and work on my own. I'm just afraid with the traveling and my job that I'll never study. I need something to keep me on track, whether it's physically showing up to a class, digitally showing up to a class, or having a new video to watch.

I think I'm leaning toward Blueprint or perhaps Knewton.

I'm def. getting the Powerscore bibles, so thanks for that suggestion!

I don't understand people like you. You diag at 167. You have the potential to hit 175+ and get into a great school, but you can't find the motivation to study. good luck in law school dude.

On the contrary. I'm recognizing that I may get caught up in teaching once the school year starts again, esp. since I'm teaching a special education class for the first time. I want to put something into place so that I don't lose motivation to study.

But thanks for your kind response.

furrywalls wrote:

HiLine wrote:Here and maybe a book on informal logic too.

Just not Walton's book unless you are seeking an example of redundancy. If that's the case, I highly recommend Informal Logic: A Pragmatic Approach by Walton.

Thanks, furrywalls. I'm researching this book now and it looks like an interesting read! Looks like it might be helpful for the LR section.

Tuckaseegee wrote:On the contrary. I'm recognizing that I may get caught up in teaching once the school year starts again, esp. since I'm teaching a special education class for the first time. I want to put something into place so that I don't lose motivation to study.

But thanks for your kind response.

I'm just frustrated waiting for my June score. Sorry to sound rude. I just think with a score that high you would be better off planning a strict schedule for yourself and following it. You're going to be way ahead of all the kids in those classes and I feel that some of your time will be wasted. With a busy work schedule, you may actually have more time on your hands through self-study. I understand the need for structure, but I think you can achieve that without a class. Just my $.02.

FuManChusco wrote:

Tuckaseegee wrote:On the contrary. I'm recognizing that I may get caught up in teaching once the school year starts again, esp. since I'm teaching a special education class for the first time. I want to put something into place so that I don't lose motivation to study.

But thanks for your kind response.

I'm just frustrated waiting for my June score. Sorry to sound rude. I just think with a score that high you would be better off planning a strict schedule for yourself and following it. You're going to be way ahead of all the kids in those classes and I feel that some of your time will be wasted. With a busy work schedule, you may actually have more time on your hands through self-study. I understand the need for structure, but I think you can achieve that without a class. Just my $.02.

No problem...and thanks. I think that's why I'm actually going to do Blueprint: The Movie. It's like a class, but without others in it. I can go at my own pace. It's entertaining, so it will keep me engaged, which is important after a 12 hour workday!

I hope you get what you want when your June score comes in.

Tuckaseegee wrote:

furrywalls wrote:

HiLine wrote:Here and maybe a book on informal logic too.

Just not Walton's book unless you are seeking an example of redundancy. If that's the case, I highly recommend Informal Logic: A Pragmatic Approach by Walton.

Thanks, furrywalls. I'm researching this book now and it looks like an interesting read! Looks like it might be helpful for the LR section.

NOOOOO I think u misinterpreted my sarcasm. Do not suffer through this miserable book. Study wikipedia or any other source for understanding logical fallacies. If I could do it again I would read the PS LR Bible 3 times instead of this book. For every fallacy he presents he discusses to the point where his conclusion ends up being that it cannot in fact be thought of as a fallacy without taking xyz specifics into consideration. Not necessary for the LSAT. The LSAT just wants you to recognize fallacies and decipher what the flaw in reasoning is.

Tuckaseegee wrote:Thanks so far.

I know, I know...get a book and work on my own. I'm just afraid with the traveling and my job that I'll never study. I need something to keep me on track, whether it's physically showing up to a class, digitally showing up to a class, or having a new video to watch.

I think I'm leaning toward Blueprint or perhaps Knewton.

I'm def. getting the Powerscore bibles, so thanks for that suggestion!

I am currently taking Knewton and I really like it. You are able to print out everything even the PT's, they give you 1-58 with explanations. Also, if your not able to make your class you can switch to another class that is live or watch a previously recorded class.

And they guarantee a 5 point increase or your money back