159 -> 165 -> ??? Forum

[downing]

GPA is 3.24.
I scored a highly disappointing 159 on my first LSAT, then I scored a 165 and I was happy. Then I was waitlisted or rejected at all the schools I really truly deeply want to attend. Except UConn (but no scholarships).

I have two options.

(A)
Throw in the can. Attend UConn happily and have a pleasant few months before catching a flight to Connecticut.

(B)
Reserve a seat at UConn (just in case my score is worse or no better than a 165) and spend the time in-between now and June studying for the LSAT.

btw, anyone else have the personal experience of taking it 3 times and making a healthy jump in marks each time?
Thanks.

[tgir]

The problem is your GPA, not so much your LSAT. Even the most splitter-friendly schools don't frequently go much below 3.4-ish. That said, if you have a really attractive LSAT score (170+ basically) and some work experience under your belt, you'd be a serious contender at top schools.

Do you feel like the 165 was achieved at your absolute maximum effort? If not, you really should retake, get a job, and apply next cycle. If you feel you've already put all you could into the LSAT, please consider not going to law school at all.

I think most everyone on TLS would agree that sticker at UConn just is not worth it. Law school will still be there next year.

[downing]

Thank you for your input.
It does seem like studying for a better score next time holds promise. I scored 3 points below my average PT range on the October 2010 test, so I do think I can improve by at least 5 points.

[Heartford]

I think most everyone on TLS would agree that sticker at UConn just is not worth it.

You think wrong. State school=low tuition=sticker price as low as some post-scholarship prices.

[esq]

Retake and sacrifice a goat (praying is overrated).

[downing]

UConn is relatively cheap after the first year, if you become a resident (and I'd have no reason not to).

Cost for out of state tuition: roughly 40,000
Cost for in-state tuition: 20,000
Not to mention the cost of living isn't particularly high in Hartford.

It's not as frightening as some of the schools in the NY region, like Fordham for example, where attending at sticker + the cost of living = terrifying.

[flexityflex86]

The problem is your GPA, not so much your LSAT. Even the most splitter-friendly schools don't frequently go much below 3.4-ish. That said, if you have a really attractive LSAT score (170+ basically) and some work experience under your belt, you'd be a serious contender at top schools.

Do you feel like the 165 was achieved at your absolute maximum effort? If not, you really should retake, get a job, and apply next cycle. If you feel you've already put all you could into the LSAT, please consider not going to law school at all.

I think most everyone on TLS would agree that sticker at UConn just is not worth it. Law school will still be there next year.

People always get a job like it's such an easy thing to get!

I will say that my competency, life and social skills exceed my standardized testing skills, which place me in the top %Ile, i would not be able to get anything on the job front with my useless degree. guaranteeeeeed.

i truly believe in this economy with a bachelors, it is easier to launch your own million dollar business than it is to get a full time job of 30k plus a year.

with a 3.24, 165, no disciplinary action, you should still be able to do better than UCONN. you should have applied to IU: B. depending on what school you want, it may not be worth it. you're not gonna get a 175 - you can prob get a 170 with enough studying, but that still won't likely get you into the t-14.

[ArthurDigbySellers]

Profit

[tgir]

I think most everyone on TLS would agree that sticker at UConn just is not worth it.

You think wrong. State school=low tuition=sticker price as low as some post-scholarship prices.

For starters, I said "most everyone," not "everyone." Of course there's going to be a diversity of opinions on the internet.

Second, I never said that it wouldn't be wiser to take UConn over a similar non-state school alternative. Obviously in-state tuition mitigates the risk to some extent.

Third, in-state tuition is good, but not great--especially when you consider that OP (indicated on his profile) is coming from out of state. Even with in-state tuition and low COL, OP would be facing ~$130,000 in debt at graduation if he took on loans. That would be very hard to service without a high-paying legal job or a strong LRAP program.

I'm not saying UConn doesn't work for some people; it just seems like OP would be better off reapplying elsewhere, especially since he feels pretty confident about a score increase.

[Heartford]

I think most everyone on TLS would agree that sticker at UConn just is not worth it.

You think wrong. State school=low tuition=sticker price as low as some post-scholarship prices.

For starters, I said "most everyone," not "everyone." Of course there's going to be a diversity of opinions on the internet.

Second, I never said that it wouldn't be wiser to take UConn over a similar non-state school alternative. Obviously in-state tuition mitigates the risk to some extent.

Third, in-state tuition is good, but not great--especially when you consider that OP (indicated on his profile) is coming from out of state. Even with in-state tuition and low COL, OP would be facing ~$130,000 in debt at graduation if he took on loans. That would be very hard to service without a high-paying legal job or a strong LRAP program.

I'm not saying UConn doesn't work for some people; it just seems like OP would be better off reapplying elsewhere, especially since he feels pretty confident about a score increase.

TL;DR. I assume it says "I'm an Ivy League snob who peers down my nose at state schools and assumes that 'most everyone' feels the same."

[tgir]

For starters, I said "most everyone," not "everyone." Of course there's going to be a diversity of opinions on the internet.

Second, I never said that it wouldn't be wiser to take UConn over a similar non-state school alternative. Obviously in-state tuition mitigates the risk to some extent.

Third, in-state tuition is good, but not great--especially when you consider that OP (indicated on his profile) is coming from out of state. Even with in-state tuition and low COL, OP would be facing ~$130,000 in debt at graduation if he took on loans. That would be very hard to service without a high-paying legal job or a strong LRAP program.

I'm not saying UConn doesn't work for some people; it just seems like OP would be better off reapplying elsewhere, especially since he feels pretty confident about a score increase.

TL;DR. I assume it says "I'm an Ivy League snob who peers down my nose at state schools and assumes that 'most everyone' feels the same."

What a lovely ad hominem attack. It's a pretty big leap to say that I "peer down my nose" at all state schools just because I feel that some state schools (especially for out-of-staters) represent too big a financial risk for people at this point in time. I would say the same of quite a lot of private schools--even (gasp!) prestigious ones.

I'm glad you like your school, but that doesn't mean it makes sense for everyone else to go there too.

If giving honest advice makes me a snob in your eyes, then so be it.

[Heartford]

What a lovely ad hominem attack. It's a pretty big leap to say that I "peer down my nose" at all state schools just because I feel that some state schools (especially for out-of-staters) represent too big a financial risk for people at this point in time. I would say the same of quite a lot of private schools--even (gasp!) prestigious ones.

I'm glad you like your school, but that doesn't mean it makes sense for everyone else to go there too.

If giving honest advice makes me a snob in your eyes, then so be it.

Relax, hombre. I'm just messing around.