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What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 10:49 am
by 180asBreath
For me:
<90 correct - I will never be able to pursue the career of my dreams.
90-94 correct - I will be able to pursue my desired career... for 150k.
>94 correct - I will be able to pursue my desired career... for free!
It's like you all talk about, the only people who can truly understand our plight is our fellow TLS'ers. It's absolutely insane how important this test is!
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 2:49 pm
by pizzabrosauce
I consider it a measure of whether I'm mature enough to do what it takes to succeed in law.
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 3:12 pm
by 180asBreath
pizzabrosauce wrote:I consider it a measure of whether I'm mature enough to do what it takes to succeed in law.
I like this. This is how I feel about prep; if you are not willing to put in the 10 hours a week it takes to get into a better school or to get a significant scholarship, how are you going to dedicate the required time to excel in law school?
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 4:59 pm
by glucose101
I think when I first started prepping, I thght of it in similar terms. However, I realized that I was putting too much pressure on myself by viewing it as such. Just do your best, end of story.
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 5:11 pm
by Underoath
It's pretty pathetic, but I sometimes have a mental breakdown and just cry. I'm taking the test in December and I'm actually worried.
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 5:22 pm
by ahnhub
The test is incredibly important, but thinking in terms of absolutes isn't useful, IMO. I think of my "true LSAT score" as a band, just like the band LSAC gives you--with really hard work, and avoiding bad luck, you should be able to score in your band. Say it's something like 170-175. Score in the higher end you might end up at Harvard, score at the lower end you end up at Michigan. If you choose to believe the latter outcome is total failure, then okay--I think most reasonable people would disagree, but look at it the way you want.
If your band is 165-170, then it's more like Fordham/USC/Vandy vs. Cornell/Virginia/Michigan. I know there are people who think the former group is being consigned to hell. But look at any metric, and it would be hard for anyone to argue that somehow Michigan is magically worth it because everyone at Michigan gets to pursue their dreams, while everyone at Fordham is headed to misery. And this applies to the $ issue as well--if you can get in sticker Harvard, maybe you get half-ride or better at Michigan, and if you get sticker Michigan maybe half-ride at Vandy, and so on down the line.
There is no magic point where someone is "safe" IMO, not even H/Y/S. It's a sliding scale. And it should be, because the requirements to get into a law school are so low. Get an undergrad degree in ANYTHING at ANY SCHOOL. Take a 3-hour test. Those 2 things should not determine completely who gets to practice law, or make boat loads of money. That's why it's kinda fair that the very top student at New York Law School probably has much better prospects than a below-median student at NYU, even though NYU's credentials are so much better.
So unless you score drastically lower than your band (and because we can retake with impunity now, even this is mitigated) the LSAT does not determine your future. Just my two cents.
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 5:32 pm
by Tom Joad
My LSAT score is just a number that people put too much emphasis on. My personal fulfillment has nothing to do with a metric that LSAC created.
-Tom Joad
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 10:42 pm
by 180asBreath
Tom Joad wrote:My LSAT score is just a number that people put too much emphasis on. My personal fulfillment has nothing to do with a metric that LSAC created.
-Tom Joad
That's cool. But, for me, I will only feel "personally fulfilled" if I am able to pursue a certain career - and the LSAT is the only thing in my way :-/
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 10:53 pm
by ThreeRivers
Just another obstacle I have to get past to meet my goals
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 11:33 pm
by Tom Joad
180asBreath wrote:Tom Joad wrote:My LSAT score is just a number that people put too much emphasis on. My personal fulfillment has nothing to do with a metric that LSAC created.
-Tom Joad
That's cool. But, for me, I will only feel "personally fulfilled" if I am able to pursue a certain career - and the LSAT is the only thing in my way :-/
Maybe you should look into meditation. lol. But in all seriousness how is your quest for 180 going? At first I thought you had no idea what you were in for, but the more I read your posts I figured you had a chance at a 170+ score (which anybody should really be happy with if they studied their hardest). I wish you luck on your quest.
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 12:11 am
by 180asBreath
Haha, it probably wouldn't hurt!
You know, I am just hanging in there. I have taken 10 PT's in the last 5 weeks (after not taking one for almost a year) and I have a 164.5 average - despite guessing on 6-8 per test (e.g. I've only had the time to read 2 of the 10 tests' 4th RC passage :-/).
LG is getting there, I think I've finally figured out my best RC strategy (no notating!), and I am getting there with LR. While I've always just felt like I'm good with LR, as I averaged -4 to -5 on each LR from my first diagnostic, I now see this as the linchpin. I'm going to drill LG until I get to the point where I will expect a -0 on game day (whether or not that will happen) and I'm going to drill RC until I get to the point where I can expect a <-4 (I think I'm already at this point, when I am able to read all passages, but I'd really like to solidify this ability and make it permanent).
So, the real issue is LR. If I am able to consistently get -4 (combined on LR), then I will get to the point where I am in good shape for December.
I'm at that point where I know I CAN do really well on December (between two tests, I had a LR1: -1, LR2: -1, RC: -2, LG: -0), but I need to get the point where I know I WILL do really well. It'll take a bit of time, but with the proper work - I'm sure I can get there.
I have a ton of regrets, fears, and trepidation - but, above all, I feel grateful for where I am and for the next 35 days I have to get where I need to be.
Thanks for the kind words!
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 1:41 am
by ColtsFan88
It means I really worked hard and my hard work was validated. Even taking a year off from school was worth it.
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 1:48 am
by suspicious android
The important thing to remember is that the LSAT is definitely NOT a measure of your intelligence. It's merely a test of your worth as a human being.
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 1:53 am
by JamMasterJ
suspicious android wrote:The important thing to remember is that the LSAT is definitely NOT a measure of your intelligence. It's merely a test of your worth as a human being.
SO CREDITED.
The LSAT took me from getting a decent scholly at a T30 to having a shot at ED at a T6, so basically, it cost me a TON of money
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:33 am
by 180asBreath
suspicious android wrote:The important thing to remember is that the LSAT is definitely NOT a measure of your intelligence. It's merely a test of your worth as a human being.
This is "oh, so true".
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:57 am
by Bildungsroman
If y'all ascribe any importance to the LSAT beyond its value in getting you admitted, you're in for a rude awakening when you actually get to law school and realize that nobody gives a shit about the LSAT after you're done with admissions. I hope I never run into a weirdo who talks about their LSAT meaning a lot to them about their maturity.
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 9:18 am
by American_in_China
Bildungsroman wrote:If y'all ascribe any importance to the LSAT beyond its value in getting you admitted, you're in for a rude awakening when you actually get to law school and realize that nobody gives a shit about the LSAT after you're done with admissions. I hope I never run into a weirdo who talks about their LSAT meaning a lot to them about their maturity.
RAWR BILDUNG IS ANGRY
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 11:29 am
by glucose101
Bildungsroman wrote:If y'all ascribe any importance to the LSAT beyond its value in getting you admitted, you're in for a rude awakening when you actually get to law school and realize that nobody gives a shit about the LSAT after you're done with admissions. I hope I never run into a weirdo who talks about their LSAT meaning a lot to them about their maturity.
+1
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 11:33 am
by kahechsof
It means I am brilliant, and my kids will be buying fries from you on the way to a ski trip.
We are the 1%!!!
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 11:49 am
by tedler
.
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 12:26 pm
by JamMasterJ
Bildungsroman wrote:If y'all ascribe any importance to the LSAT beyond its value in getting you admitted, you're in for a rude awakening when you actually get to law school and realize that nobody gives a shit about the LSAT after you're done with admissions. I hope I never run into a weirdo who talks about their LSAT meaning a lot to them about their maturity.
168
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 12:35 pm
by QuincyWagstaff
JamMasterJ wrote:Bildungsroman wrote:If y'all ascribe any importance to the LSAT beyond its value in getting you admitted, you're in for a rude awakening when you actually get to law school and realize that nobody gives a shit about the LSAT after you're done with admissions. I hope I never run into a weirdo who talks about their LSAT meaning a lot to them about their maturity.
168
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 3:28 pm
by 180asBreath
Bildung, when I got into grad school - I never gave a second thought about my GRE. You're right; it's ridiculous to think the LSAT means anything more than gaining acceptance into law school; however, that is still of huge importance until you have gained acceptance - which is where many of us are at. I know they are just ribbing you, but your LSAT score - at this point - doesn't matter one bit. You are on your way to getting a degree from a T6 institution, that is all that matters.
Once I get in, I will not give the LSAT another thought; I will also never ask a fellow student what they scored. Other than discussing it briefly, for fun, I wouldn't think discussing LSAT scores would reflect well on a law student (i.e. they'd be seen as douchey).
Btw, I lol'd at kahechsof's post - haha.
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 3:34 pm
by ThreeRivers
lololololololololol about caring about your lsat beyond just to get into a good school
Re: What does your LSAT score mean to you?
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 3:47 pm
by Curious1
Bildungsroman wrote:If y'all ascribe any importance to the LSAT beyond its value in getting you admitted, you're in for a rude awakening when you actually get to law school and realize that nobody gives a shit about the LSAT after you're done with admissions. I hope I never run into a weirdo who talks about their LSAT meaning a lot to them about their maturity.
This is true for all of life.
No one in college gives a shit about your fancy prep high school, or your SAT score after you've gotten in
No one in law school gives a shit about your Harvard UG degree, or your 180 LSAT, after you've gotten in
No one in law firms (
AFTER YOU'VE BEEN HIRED) gives a shit where you went to law school
No one in the millionaire's cemetery gives a shit that you were a biglaw partner when you were alive
Everything in life is a means to an end...you do well in one stage of life to potentially gain "admission" to the next. That said, you can enjoy it while it's going on. These kids just took a really important test and got a (good) score, and they learned things in the process. Let them celebrate and speculate, however inaccurately.
But let's set a 2 week limit. I'm sick of hearing all the whining and asking about retakes. Just remember, don't rest on your laurels if you got a 180, and don't give up if you got a 179.