I need a "Come to Jesus" talk Forum

[NeedtoStudy]

A little about me:

I'm 25
I just completed my MA at Northwestern
I'm in my 3rd year of a PhD program, there
I have a 3.86 LSDAS GPA
I scored a 150 on my first LSAT (I had a diagnostic of 155) because I got a concussion the night before
I have scored as high as 166 on practice tests
I half-assed a Powerscore class
I have worked with a tutor
I have the LR by type, LG by type, RC by type from Cambridge
I have the three PS bibles, all of their course books, and all released LSAT tests
I am starting law school in 2012, no matter what
I would like to get into Northwestern or any other Chicago-area school, but I really want to go to a top school (or a lesser ranked one for free)

Okay, I think that's enough info. That horrific LSAT score has totally mind-screwed me; on top of that, I'm pretty risk-averse so I'm afraid that I'm self-sabotaging by not studying (so I don't have to borrow 150k to go to law school).

I know that deep in my heart, I really want to kick butt and get a 170+. I just need to stop holding myself back. I will take the October test and the December test.

Could someone please set me straight? I'm so lost and I need help

[Jack Smirks]

You came here for a pep talk?

[CanadianWolf]

If I understand your post, you took the LSAT the day after you incurred a concussion & received a score of 150. Your initial diagnostic was a 155, after which you took a PowerScore LSAT prep course in which you highest practice LSAT was a 166.
If the above is correct, then my advice is not to get a concussion the night before sitting for the LSAT.

[bdubs]

What is your MA/PhD in? You should probably finish it out if it has any relevance whatsoever. Those LSAT scores are truly terrible, you really need to intensify your studying or give up on law school. A PhD from a school like Northwestern is a pretty golden credential in most fields so it really doesn't make sense to go to a TTT law school unless your field has zero employability.

[sunynp]

First thing you need to do is make a schedule. Look around the forums at schedules that other people have posted. Make the schedule one of the non-negotiable items in your day. You can even start a thread here and post your schedule and what you have done to keep you honest. (at least i think I have seen others do this.)

The test can be learned but you have to put in the work.

Why did you take an exam with a concussion? I think you may have overestimated your natural ability and underestimated the difficulty of the exam. Or possibly the concussion interfered with your judgment.

It is possible to go to law school and not go into $150,000 debt. Before you worry about this, you have to get accepted to a school. You can always not go. You can always not take out massive loans.

[JamMasterJ]

Join up and get to work.

BTW, NU doesn't care about multiple scores

[NeedtoStudy]

I'm sorry, I was unclear. I took the PowerScore course and scored a 155 on the first day. I worked up to a 166 within a few weeks, and stopped focusing on full tests. LG was my achilles heel so I just worked on that. I bombed the LSAT and have only taken one full LSAT since then, I scored a 166 again.

I am out of shape to say the least but I have 20+ weeks to really apply myself. It is my belief that I will get the 170 I need to get into NW if I study, and take it twice. Even if October is somehow a curveball, I can definitely do it on December.

I'm no dummy and I have seen so many TLS'ers do it; the only difference is that they poured their soul into this and I haven't even given an earnest effort yet.

[NeedtoStudy]

What is your MA/PhD in? You should probably finish it out if it has any relevance whatsoever. Those LSAT scores are truly terrible, you really need to intensify your studying or give up on law school. A PhD from a school like Northwestern is a pretty golden credential in most fields so it really doesn't make sense to go to a TTT law school unless your field has zero employability.

I will definitely be finishing my PhD. I want to go to law school to diversify my skill set, because I have a lot of extra time on my hands, and I have a great desire to get a legal education.

[09042014]

A little about me:

I'm 25
I just completed my MA at Northwestern
I'm in my 3rd year of a PhD program, there
I have a 3.86 LSDAS GPA
I scored a 150 on my first LSAT (I had a diagnostic of 155) because I got a concussion the night before
I have scored as high as 166 on practice tests
I half-assed a Powerscore class
I have worked with a tutor
I have the LR by type, LG by type, RC by type from Cambridge
I have the three PS bibles, all of their course books, and all released LSAT tests
I am starting law school in 2012, no matter what
I would like to get into Northwestern or any other Chicago-area school, but I really want to go to a top school (or a lesser ranked one for free)

Okay, I think that's enough info. That horrific LSAT score has totally mind-screwed me; on top of that, I'm pretty risk-averse so I'm afraid that I'm self-sabotaging by not studying (so I don't have to borrow 150k to go to law school).

I know that deep in my heart, I really want to kick butt and get a 170+. I just need to stop holding myself back. I will take the October test and the December test.

Could someone please set me straight? I'm so lost and I need help

If you are interested in academia see if you can talk to someone about JD/Phd at NU. They might overlook that egregious LSAT.

Or if not, NU doesn't hold that 150 against you at all.

BTW what kind of retard takes a mental skills test concussed?

[CanadianWolf]

The LSAT is a learnable test, although not everyone can achieve a 170 due in large part to the time constraints during the test.
Many TLS posters who have achieved scores above 169 write that they spent a significant amount of time preparing for the LSAT in an intense & focused manner. It seems obvious to me that maximizing one's performance on the LSAT requires a focused frame of mind. The fact that you did not work hard during youyr PowerScore course suggests that you may need to take a break from collecting degrees (BA/BS, MA & PhD).

Are you willing to share the area of study in which you earned a MA ?

P.S. It's noteworthy that you have taken a PowerScore course & worked with an LSAT tutor. This just reinforces my impression that you need a break from accumulating degrees.

[NeedtoStudy]

If you are interested in academia see if you can talk to someone about JD/Phd at NU. They might overlook that egregious LSAT.

Or if not, NU doesn't hold that 150 against you at all.

BTW what kind of retard takes a mental skills test concussed?

Yeah, I thought about that and someone, who will remain nameless, said that it is important to do well on the LSAT. I'm guessing 150 isn't "doing well". Quite frankly, I don't feel worthy of attending such a fine institution if I am not willing to put in a few months of work. I also feel that this will help me get ready for the intensity of law school.

An arrogant, cock-sure retard.

As for the area of study, I don't want to out myself. It is weakly related though.

[jarofsoup]

Dude you had a concussion you should not have taken the test. Retake. Dont bruise your brain and you should do better.

[CanadianWolf]

The LSAT can be interpreted as an indicator of one's readiness for law school---as well as of one's aptitude for the study of law. A score of 150 indicates that you did better than only 44.2% of all test takers, therefore, you need to retake the LSAT if you want to achieve your law school related goals. Assuming that your injury negatively affected your performance on the test, you simply need to give yourself adequate time to prepare for the LSAT with dedication & intense focus. The LSAT is not a joke---that's why students scoring in the high 160s & above are offered generous scholarships by many tier one law schools.

P.S. A score of 150 for one with PowerScore & personal tutor preparation along with your educational achievements should suffice as a "Come To Jesus" "talk".

[09042014]

If you are interested in academia see if you can talk to someone about JD/Phd at NU. They might overlook that egregious LSAT.

Or if not, NU doesn't hold that 150 against you at all.

BTW what kind of retard takes a mental skills test concussed?

Yeah, I thought about that and someone, who will remain nameless, said that it is important to do well on the LSAT. I'm guessing 150 isn't "doing well". Quite frankly, I don't feel worthy of attending such a fine institution if I am not willing to put in a few months of work. I also feel that this will help me get ready for the intensity of law school.

An arrogant, cock-sure retard.

As for the area of study, I don't want to out myself. It is weakly related though.

Realistically you'll need a 165 for the T14, probably higher. Get studying.

If you hit your head again take the absence.

[El_Gallo]

I want to go to law school to diversify my skill set, because I have a lot of extra time on my hands, and I have a great desire to get a legal education.

What does this mean exactly? You have 3 free years of time on your hands? Do you actually want to practice law? How do you think 'diversifying your skill set' will help you career? Do you also have an extra $150k on hand?

[NeedtoStudy]

How many hours a day, and how many days a week, constitute a concerted effort? I know the volume of material I should get through, but I don't want to study 2 hours a day for a few months, only to find out that I wasn't really giving the ole college try.

As a general sense, can you give me the rule of thumb? I'm figuring 6 days a week, 3 hours a day, 2 PT's a week, etc.

[09042014]

I want to go to law school to diversify my skill set, because I have a lot of extra time on my hands, and I have a great desire to get a legal education.

What does this mean exactly? You have 3 free years of time on your hands? Do you actually want to practice law? How do you think 'diversifying your skill set' will help you career? Do you also have an extra $150k on hand?

I gotta agree. JD for the skillset is silly.

Though if you can climb your way into the JD/PhD program, it wouldn't be a huge waste. IIRC you'd be adding a year, and basically get a free JD.

[NeedtoStudy]

The skill set thing is a minor aspect, but it is valid. Academia is TOUGH, having other possible careers (attorney, law professor, etc.) is a big boon. I do have a lot of time on my hands because PhD programs are quite leisurely, especially when one has finished all of their coursework. On top of all of this, I have always wanted a legal education. I'm no degree collector (the MA is part of the PhD program).

[JamMasterJ]

How many hours a day, and how many days a week, constitute a concerted effort? I know the volume of material I should get through, but I don't want to study 2 hours a day for a few months, only to find out that I wasn't really giving the ole college try.

As a general sense, can you give me the rule of thumb? I'm figuring 6 days a week, 3 hours a day, 2 PT's a week, etc.

15 hours a week for three months. Seriously, read the October thread and ask for study advice there.

[robotclubmember]

that degree cocktail is absurd, are you just a belt notcher or is there a real plan behind this?

[JamMasterJ]

Join up and get to work.

BTW, NU doesn't care about multiple scores

whoops there was supposed to be a link there. Oh well, it looks like you found it

[EarlCat]

I will definitely be finishing my PhD. I want to go to law school to diversify my skill set, because I have a lot of extra time on my hands, and I have a great desire to get a legal education.

What a horrible reason to go to law school. Leave the seat for someone who actually wants to be a lawyer.

[NeedtoStudy]

I will definitely be finishing my PhD. I want to go to law school to diversify my skill set, because I have a lot of extra time on my hands, and I have a great desire to get a legal education.

What a horrible reason to go to law school. Leave the seat for someone who actually wants to be a lawyer.

This makes zero sense. But thanks for judging me and telling me what I should or shouldn't do.

Thanks to all others who've given great advice.

[Sloth Hero]

I will definitely be finishing my PhD. I want to go to law school to diversify my skill set, because I have a lot of extra time on my hands, and I have a great desire to get a legal education.

What a horrible reason to go to law school. Leave the seat for someone who actually wants to be a lawyer.

This makes zero sense. But thanks for judging me and telling me what I should or shouldn't do.

Thanks to all others who've given great advice.

I agree with NeedtoStudy here.

But, choose a different deity than Jesus. Probably Shiva would suit your purposes better.

[09042014]

I will definitely be finishing my PhD. I want to go to law school to diversify my skill set, because I have a lot of extra time on my hands, and I have a great desire to get a legal education.

What a horrible reason to go to law school. Leave the seat for someone who actually wants to be a lawyer.

This makes zero sense. But thanks for judging me and telling me what I should or shouldn't do.

Thanks to all others who've given great advice.

You realize law school costs a quarter million dollars right?