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I'm a Sophomore, but I was wondering is it too early to start studying? What resources will help? I'm a Social Work major planning to apply to the dual MSW/J.D. program my school offers. How hard is too manage a dual program like that?

too early

Focus on your GPA, that is the thing you can't redo. I think I would get burned out if I had to study for the LSAT longer than several months. You'd also probably run out of old practice tests.

I wouldn't say it was too early. Study for your LSAT, take the test, and you're good for 5 years. Now, if you were planning on taking an extended break post graduation or had other plans besides law, then it wouldn't be such a good idea; but if you know 100% that you're going straight for your joint degree post undergrad, then no harm in knocking it out early. This is coming from a sophomore myself. Albeit I am technically a junior by credit hours.

PresidentIJohnson wrote:I wouldn't say it was too early. Study for your LSAT, take the test, and you're good for 5 years. Now, if you were planning on taking an extended break post graduation or had other plans besides law, then it wouldn't be such a good idea; but if you know 100% that you're going straight for your joint degree post undergrad, then no harm in knocking it out early. This is coming from a sophomore myself. Albeit I am technically a junior by credit hours.

Yeah I guess if you wanted to knock it out over the summer that wouldn't be a bad plan. I'd just make sure it doesn't cost you anything in grades.

laqueredup wrote:

PresidentIJohnson wrote:I wouldn't say it was too early. Study for your LSAT, take the test, and you're good for 5 years. Now, if you were planning on taking an extended break post graduation or had other plans besides law, then it wouldn't be such a good idea; but if you know 100% that you're going straight for your joint degree post undergrad, then no harm in knocking it out early. This is coming from a sophomore myself. Albeit I am technically a junior by credit hours.

Yeah I guess if you wanted to knock it out over the summer that wouldn't be a bad plan. I'd just make sure it doesn't cost you anything in grades.

Yes, don't let it affect your grades. No point in having a high LSAT with a 2.0 GPA.

Don't let it affect your grades. You can start studying lightly or doing things that will prep you for LSAT, but i wouldn't plan on actually taking it this early. Believe it or not, you still do have time to develop in UG. Light studying or things to prep you for it wouldn't be a bad idea. It is best to get it out of the way and done early, but enjoy college and get a phenomenal GPA first.

Also, don't burn out. If you're not going to take until Jun/Sep Senior Year, chances of burnout are high if you start now.

Nicole197 wrote:I'm a Sophomore, but I was wondering is it too early to start studying? What resources will help? I'm a Social Work major planning to apply to the dual MSW/J.D. program my school offers. How hard is too manage a dual program like that?

In my opinion, it's not too early IF you plan on taking it within 3 - 9 months. Don't start studying now if you're only planning on taking it at the end of your junior or senior year. If you stretch out your prepping that long, you'll likely burn out. Or you might spend a lot of that time hardly improving for lack of consistency - it's not a good idea to take breaks longer than a few days or a week while you're prepping for the LSAT, if you can avoid it.

However, there's nothing wrong with getting the test out of the way now. An LSAT score is good for 5 years, so if you're planning on going into a JD program within that time period, you'll be fine. Just make sure not to compromise your grades for the sake of the LSAT. You can retake the LSAT, but you can't get a redo on your GPA, and the two are equally important when it comes to admissions.

I tried to study starting freshman year. Did a poor job.

Then tried to study during sophomore year. Did a poor job.

Then I tried to take a full summer, study every day, and then take it in September. Got a 174.

Long story short, doesn't matter when you start taking, but take it when you have enough time to give it the attention it deserves.

SweetTort wrote:I tried to study starting freshman year. Did a poor job.

Then tried to study during sophomore year. Did a poor job.

Then I tried to take a full summer, study every day, and then take it in September. Got a 174.

Long story short, doesn't matter when you start taking, but take it when you have enough time to give it the attention it deserves.

More like a 147

Jk ily

SweetTort wrote:I tried to study starting freshman year. Did a poor job.

Then tried to study during sophomore year. Did a poor job.

Then I tried to take a full summer, study every day, and then take it in September. Got a 174.

Long story short, doesn't matter when you start taking, but take it when you have enough time to give it the attention it deserves.

Similar story here. Technically started studying in sophomore year, took summer to study, and took early in junior year.

Keep in mind how much (or little) time you want to take off between UG and LS. I was pretty sure I wanted to go to LS soon after UG and wanted to have time a comfortable amount of time to retake to maximize my score if needed. Also if you want to take the next summer(s) to travel, do a time-consuming internship, or something like that, it's awfully nice to have the LSAT off your back.

No!! Started studying my sophomore year, took the real test my junior year (167) and then senior year (177). It gives you the freedom to take time off from studying if you need to.

Not at all. In fact, that is a great idea.

The only thing I would caution is emotional and mental burnout. Depending on where your diagnostic score is, the LSAT is a very frustrating test. I started studying the beginning of my junior year and planned to take it that June 2016. However, it did not go as well as I started. My semester school work started to pile up and I made the mistake of starting a new relationship (even though I'm still with this person, starting a relationship really distracts you in the beginning), so I had to put it off for summer 2016. I took all summer to study, registering for a summer course which didn't work out and continued studying with new materials this past fall. It was going well, and then again I fell off due to undergrad work.

Now, I'm going to make a final stride and see if I can test in June, but it doesn't look promising. This is my senior year of undergrad, perhaps with one more semester next fall, so I still have some time in case things don't work out.

Like I said, it depends on your diagnostic. I initially scored a 141, which is awful and I'm aiming for a 170+ which is the reason why I started so early. Perhaps it will take me longer and I'll have to take some time off after undergrad to do so. However, if your diagnostic is a high 150, or even in the 160s, you can prob crank out a 170+ within 4 or 5 months of intensive study.

It also depends on the kind of person you are. I'm terrible with work/life balance and I get stressed out very easily. So doing LSAT prep, undergrad work and internships all at the same time obviously did not work out for me. Some people can do it, and that's awesome. If you can, go for it. It's nice to be able to get the LSAT out of the way. I wish I would have by now as life would be so much more fun.

Best of luck! Remember, take as much time as you need. You're after a score, you're not trying to win a race. There's no rush!

Mikey wrote:

SweetTort wrote:I tried to study starting freshman year. Did a poor job.

Then tried to study during sophomore year. Did a poor job.

Then I tried to take a full summer, study every day, and then take it in September. Got a 174.

Long story short, doesn't matter when you start taking, but take it when you have enough time to give it the attention it deserves.

More like a 147

Are you implying that he's an URM?

Mod edit: user has been warned and tempbanned for repeated racist/troll comments.

the fuck. banned

I started studying sophomore year and am very happy I did. Starting to study that far ahead of time means you can study less intensely for longer as opposed to very intensely for a short period of time. You will thank yourself when the LSAT is close and you don't have to hurt your GPA by spending so much time studying for the LSAT. Also you'll be more relaxed.

Your job right now is to get good grades and enjoy college. Make friends, have a social life, go to class.

suralin wrote:the fuck. banned

Was that the same guy who tried to pull the whole fraternity-frat/country-c*** business?