Keeping things in perspective as we wait... Forum

[Marionberry]

This may provide little comfort to anyone, but as we sit here freaking out in anticipation of getting our scores, here are some fun facts:

Probably over a billion people in the world live on less than a dollar a day.
Even within our own countries and communities, there are scores of people who cannot afford food, shelter or clothing.
There are children less than half our age who are being forced into slavery, prostitution and soldiering.

...and we're freaking out because we may end up having to attend law school at Cornell, Georgetown or, god forbid, a non-T14.

I certainly don't mean to sound preachy. I'm personally considering seppuku if I make a 169 or less. However, it can help to kind of look at the big picture in times like this.

[balzern]

This may provide little comfort to anyone, but as we sit here freaking out in anticipation of getting our scores, here are some fun facts:

Probably over a billion people in the world live on less than a dollar a day.
Even within our own countries and communities, there are scores of people who cannot afford food, shelter or clothing.
There are children less than half our age who are being forced into slavery, prostitution and soldiering.

...and we're freaking out because we may end up having to attend law school at Cornell, Georgetown or, god forbid, a non-T14.

I certainly don't mean to sound preachy. I'm personally considering seppuku if I make a 169 or less. However, it can help to kind of look at the big picture in times like this.

+1 Excellent thing to say and to keep in mind at all times. Thanks dude

[ilovemulch]

This may provide little comfort to anyone, but as we sit here freaking out in anticipation of getting our scores, here are some fun facts:

Probably over a billion people in the world live on less than a dollar a day.
Even within our own countries and communities, there are scores of people who cannot afford food, shelter or clothing.
There are children less than half our age who are being forced into slavery, prostitution and soldiering.

...and we're freaking out because we may end up having to attend law school at Cornell, Georgetown or, god forbid, a non-T14.

I certainly don't mean to sound preachy. I'm personally considering seppuku if I make a 169 or less. However, it can help to kind of look at the big picture in times like this.

+1 Excellent thing to say and to keep in mind at all times. Thanks dude

I also really like this post, definitely well done and good timing! (I've tried to think like this before but still end up coming back to total illogical freakout mode, haha)

[psteele99]

love it

[cinefile 17]

+1000

TLS can be a very elitist place sometimes. It's important to remember that we are among the very highest privileged group of people (even those of us from comparatively disadvantaged backgrounds). Thanks for helping keep things in perspective!

[angiej]

Last night a tornado ripped through my town. I was at school and was driving home seeing all the damage hoping I could get to my home and hoping it was untouched and that my beloved dogs were safe and sound. For about 5 minutes, I forgot all about the lsat. It really put things into perspective for me.

OP - Thank you for starting this thread.

[SAE]

[trialjunky]

Fuck, how many waiting threads can there be!

[apropos]

Indeed, no matter how good life is, we'll still worry about the next thing.

"But that's how we like it, and that's all we want: something to cry for, and something to hunt."

Just listen to some The National albums. When it's over, your scores will be there--maybe.


Now get over here LSAC..

[cinefile 17]

Good quote

[LogicalBaozi]

This is true; it's a matter of standards. However, people look at relative standards, not absolutes. For us, the standards are comparatively higher: as they say, the poor just want to eat enough, the middle class wants it to taste good, but the upper class needs it to look good too.

Likewise, a 150 on the LSAT is "average". A C is considered average, those these days Bs are considered to be more average.

The average income in the US is less than 50k.

None of us want to be average; we don't compare ourselves with the average Joe or with the least fortunate among us, but only with those more fortunate than us. Maybe we're more stressed out and less happy for it, but it also instills us with a sense of drive and competition. Instead of being content with what we have, we seek more.

May be cultural/psychological, but it's pretty hard to change. And for any person, admitting they are average or not part of the elite, i.e. actually being inferior to someone else, would be unpleasant at best. Schadenfreude only gets you so far. Plus, with regards to comparing yourself to the least fortunate among us: a female Chinese friend of my was highly insulted when I told her, after she got an A-, that at least she did better than most Americans. How dare I compare her with those ignorant Americans! Similarly, she almost cried when I told she wasn't fat, by American standards: "I'm so fat you can compare me with Americans?!?!"

Ditto us, the LSAT, and developing countries. You're right, but we have an unhealthy obsession.

[cinefile 17]

Right. I personally think it's fine to aim to be the top of the top. No one is disagreeing with this; of course our standards, as Americans, are different. It's fine, as long as you recognize that there are certain inherent privileges that have allowed you to get their easier than say someone from a third world country and as long as you see the big picture. We should also be proud of the things we've accomplished, we've worked hard. This is not precluded from keeping perspective.

[Patriot1208]

Here is one for perspective. 4-8 questions on the test, can be the difference from a school that places 50% of people in six figure jobs and a school that places 15%. That is also the difference from close to no unemployment to 15-25% unemployment. That comes out to be MILLIONS of dollars in potential earnings from six questions on one stupid test. But don't stress or anything.