TLS c/o 2020 - In #Squad We Trust Forum

[dasq5511]

To those who have tough decisions coming up, how is everyone deciding their options? Pro/con lists? Family/friends?

I'm so torn I literally don't know how to even begin to approach deciding on a school.

I'm going to break out the dart board and throw at it blindfolded. Lots of debt or crippling debt are the 2 options

lol, in this position as well. Hoping the remaining ASWs will clear things up a little. I've been hearing tons of negative comments about Chicago and that's probably my top choice, so I hope ASW proves them wrong but who knows.

[alpha kenny body]

To those who have tough decisions coming up, how is everyone deciding their options? Pro/con lists? Family/friends?

I'm so torn I literally don't know how to even begin to approach deciding on a school.

I'm going to break out the dart board and throw at it blindfolded. Lots of debt or crippling debt are the 2 options

As a 1L you can always renegotiate scholly, so you may not pay as much as you originally calculated. "Hey School, my grades are tight, and I need to not be so stressed, give me some money." Especially if people with good grades transfer, or you use the prospect of transferring as leverage, etc., they'll definitely be amenable. Also too, if you cop the 1L SA, that's like 10k you could put towards debt.

Can you really?

Why not? Your scholly isnt set in stone for all three years. There's no harm in asking for more or talking with a FA counselor to figure out how to get more money. Even a Research Assistant position or something could net more cash. There's ways to hustle. Become a gigolo and offer off the cuff legal advice to your clients

[Dodocogon]

Lots of debt or crippling debt are the 2 options

I don't like this game

[haley12]

Not sure if there is a better forum for this, but-- has anyone used Spivey consulting and had a good or bad result they would like to share?

[Rubbishdump]

Not sure if there is a better forum for this, but-- has anyone used Spivey consulting and had a good or bad result they would like to share?

I've heard only good things, but fwiw I feel like you'll only hear positive things here, if you catch my drift.

[jjcorvino]

To those who have tough decisions coming up, how is everyone deciding their options? Pro/con lists? Family/friends?

I'm so torn I literally don't know how to even begin to approach deciding on a school.

Once I get all decisions, I am going to put together all of the information, and sit down and talk it out with the soon to be wife. I do wish at times that I had the freedom that a lot of people have (no significant other that they have to consider). It makes it a bit more difficult when my fiancee has to apply and find a job in four different cities while I am trying to decide . Luckily she is a teacher and it isn't difficult for her to get a job, but getting one in a good school that she will like is hard.

[SybillAnnDorsett]

I can understand people are trying to be considerate in withdrawing but there is absolutely no upside to withdrawing from a WL. I'm not sure why people care if they withdraw now because if they are offered a spot off a WL then they would decline later and it would go to the next in line anyways.

I'd like your source regarding the withdrawal from a WL having absolutely no upside. It's a pretty declarative statement so is there any backup for it?

[dietcoke1]

I can understand people are trying to be considerate in withdrawing but there is absolutely no upside to withdrawing from a WL. I'm not sure why people care if they withdraw now because if they are offered a spot off a WL then they would decline later and it would go to the next in line anyways.

I'd like your source regarding the withdrawal from a WL having absolutely no upside. It's a pretty declarative statement so is there any backup for it?

well as flips tedora stated apparently there is an upside if you use it to show one school that you've WL at that you are totally committed by withdrawing from the rest so I suppose I retract and rephrase by saying there is little upside. but schools only know that if you tell them and there is still a chance to negotiate with WL. I'm not advocating that everyone stay on every WL, I'm just saying that withdrawing permanently closes the door on leverage whereas staying on does not.

[proteinshake]

Lots of debt or crippling debt are the 2 options

I don't like this game

[Rigo]

Yeah I don't really see an upside to withdrawing. The absence of a downside doesn't make an upside.
It seems like the only reason to do it is altruism.

[Sarastro]

I can understand people are trying to be considerate in withdrawing but there is absolutely no upside to withdrawing from a WL. I'm not sure why people care if they withdraw now because if they are offered a spot off a WL then they would decline later and it would go to the next in line anyways.

TCR

Not quite TCR. You could use withdrawing as a signal at another school you're waitlisted at as a way to show your interest by telling them you withdrew other apps, especially if they're peer schools. Also, it could reduce the time that someone else has to wait to get accepted, and thus move on with their lives. Finally, reducing the waitlist pool means that the school may accept reaches that may not have had a shot if there were more applicants in the pool. It's similar to staying in a relationship that you're no longer interested in, and have no intention of marrying that person, why hang on if there are no benefits and youre just going to dump them later on anyways?

Well, it was maybe overstated by saying "absolutely no" upside to withdrawing. It's just the opportunity cost from withdrawing almost always outweighs the favor you're doing for others, it seems. Your first point is well taken about signalling, but even if you aren't interested in going to the school, I've heard of people getting sizable scholarships off WL's. Until you put a deposit down somewhere (or maybe after even), it just seems like you're taking opportunities to negotiate with off the table for yourself just for the small, theoretical convenience of others. That's noble, but I don't see it as a reasonable trade if you have any chance at all of getting money off a WL. Not withdrawing could possibly make other applicants wait a few extra days to get on the list, but a few hours of convenience for anonymous strangers to get on at the back of the waitlist doesn't seem worth trading potential thousands of dollars off one's probably substantial debt burden. Maybe I'm just a jerk though.

[ashrice13]

To those who have tough decisions coming up, how is everyone deciding their options? Pro/con lists? Family/friends?

I'm so torn I literally don't know how to even begin to approach deciding on a school.

Once I get all decisions, I am going to put together all of the information, and sit down and talk it out with the soon to be wife. I do wish at times that I had the freedom that a lot of people have (no significant other that they have to consider). It makes it a bit more difficult when my fiancee has to apply and find a job in four different cities while I am trying to decide . Luckily she is a teacher and it isn't difficult for her to get a job, but getting one in a good school that she will like is hard.

I'm with ya...my SO can't move with his current profession so my only choices were 1. stay here, 2. go somewhere close enough that we could visit each other by driving, 3. try to make a long distance relationship work (which it probably wouldn't....so this wasn't really much of an option for me)

[dietcoke1]

I can understand people are trying to be considerate in withdrawing but there is absolutely no upside to withdrawing from a WL. I'm not sure why people care if they withdraw now because if they are offered a spot off a WL then they would decline later and it would go to the next in line anyways.

TCR

Not quite TCR. You could use withdrawing as a signal at another school you're waitlisted at as a way to show your interest by telling them you withdrew other apps, especially if they're peer schools. Also, it could reduce the time that someone else has to wait to get accepted, and thus move on with their lives. Finally, reducing the waitlist pool means that the school may accept reaches that may not have had a shot if there were more applicants in the pool. It's similar to staying in a relationship that you're no longer interested in, and have no intention of marrying that person, why hang on if there are no benefits and youre just going to dump them later on anyways?

Well, it was maybe overstated by saying "absolutely no" upside to withdrawing. It's just the opportunity cost from withdrawing almost always outweighs the favor you're doing for others, it seems. Your first point is well taken about signalling, but even if you aren't interested in going to the school, I've heard of people getting sizable scholarships off WL's. Until you put a deposit down somewhere (or maybe after even), it just seems like you're taking opportunities to negotiate with off the table for yourself just for the small, theoretical convenience of others. That's noble, but I don't see it as a reasonable trade if you have any chance at all of getting money off a WL. Not withdrawing could possibly make other applicants wait a few extra days to get on the list, but a few hours of convenience for anonymous strangers to get on at the back of the waitlist doesn't seem worth trading potential thousands of dollars off one's probably substantial debt burden. Maybe I'm just a jerk though.

basically the point I was trying to make. you said it far better

[Rigo]

I'm skeptical if withdrawing really helps other applicants. Schools probably just wait until deposit deadline anyways to assess their yield.

[jjcorvino]

To those who have tough decisions coming up, how is everyone deciding their options? Pro/con lists? Family/friends?

I'm so torn I literally don't know how to even begin to approach deciding on a school.

Once I get all decisions, I am going to put together all of the information, and sit down and talk it out with the soon to be wife. I do wish at times that I had the freedom that a lot of people have (no significant other that they have to consider). It makes it a bit more difficult when my fiancee has to apply and find a job in four different cities while I am trying to decide . Luckily she is a teacher and it isn't difficult for her to get a job, but getting one in a good school that she will like is hard.

I'm with ya...my SO can't move with his current profession so my only choices were 1. stay here, 2. go somewhere close enough that we could visit each other by driving, 3. try to make a long distance relationship work (which it probably wouldn't....so this wasn't really much of an option for me)

That is tough, especially living around Boston. Not an easy goal if you are shooting for T14 . Do you consider NYC "close" enough? I know it is a ways, but not too terrible of an Amtrak.

[Stylnator]

Once I get all decisions, I am going to put together all of the information, and sit down and talk it out with the soon to be wife. I do wish at times that I had the freedom that a lot of people have (no significant other that they have to consider). It makes it a bit more difficult when my fiancee has to apply and find a job in four different cities while I am trying to decide . Luckily she is a teacher and it isn't difficult for her to get a job, but getting one in a good school that she will like is hard.

I'm with ya...my SO can't move with his current profession so my only choices were 1. stay here, 2. go somewhere close enough that we could visit each other by driving, 3. try to make a long distance relationship work (which it probably wouldn't....so this wasn't really much of an option for me)

I really hope this doesn't come off mean or sound like I'm trying to preach but I'm genuinely curious as to why you're creating limitations on such a major life choice for a relationship that wouldn't even survive distance?

[jjcorvino]

Once I get all decisions, I am going to put together all of the information, and sit down and talk it out with the soon to be wife. I do wish at times that I had the freedom that a lot of people have (no significant other that they have to consider). It makes it a bit more difficult when my fiancee has to apply and find a job in four different cities while I am trying to decide . Luckily she is a teacher and it isn't difficult for her to get a job, but getting one in a good school that she will like is hard.

I'm with ya...my SO can't move with his current profession so my only choices were 1. stay here, 2. go somewhere close enough that we could visit each other by driving, 3. try to make a long distance relationship work (which it probably wouldn't....so this wasn't really much of an option for me)

I really hope this doesn't come off mean or sound like I'm trying to preach but I'm genuinely curious as to why you're creating limitations on such a major life choice for a relationship that wouldn't even survive distance?

I am not the one you are asking, but I know that long distance wouldn't work for my relationship either. My fiancee does not enjoy time apart, and would get pretty lonely when I had two week long business trips. It is not that she can't survive by herself or that she doesn't have other friends. She is just not the type of person that long distance works for. Talking on the phone/skyping isn't the same. She likes being physically near me (I hope this doesn't come off weird or sexual, it is not).

[waldorf]

Not sure if there is a better forum for this, but-- has anyone used Spivey consulting and had a good or bad result they would like to share?

I have a friend (not on TLS) who used Spivey and had great things to say about it. He didn't have anyone in his life with any knowledge on law school applications, where to apply for his goals, etc., though, so I'm sure he found it a lot more beneficial than your average TLSer.

I almost used Ann Levine (someone else who another friend recommended) but ultimately decided the price wasn't worth the upside with my goals/stats. Had a consultation with her, though, and she seemed incredibly knowledgeable and was very kind and informative.

[jjcorvino]

Guys, here we go, another /r/lawschooladmissions chance to bash us

https://www.reddit.com/r/lawschooladmis ... ts_on_tls/

[Kopetz]

Guys, here we go, another /r/lawschooladmissions chance to bash us

https://www.reddit.com/r/lawschooladmis ... ts_on_tls/

Another time, I saw someone with a 3.8/174 called a dumbfuck for not retaking.

not seeing the problem here

[jjcorvino]

Guys, here we go, another /r/lawschooladmissions chance to bash us

https://www.reddit.com/r/lawschooladmis ... ts_on_tls/

Another time, I saw someone with a 3.8/174 called a dumbfuck for not retaking.

not seeing the problem here

I think their sarcasm filter is off, because I don't think that would ever happen

[Dr.Degrees_Cr.Cash]

Guys, here we go, another /r/lawschooladmissions chance to bash us

https://www.reddit.com/r/lawschooladmis ... ts_on_tls/

Another time, I saw someone with a 3.8/174 called a dumbfuck for not retaking.

not seeing the problem here

I think their sarcasm filter is off, because I don't think that would ever happen

It's not sarcasm, if you have such a pedestrian GPA you need at least a 180 to hit the T13

[ashrice13]

Once I get all decisions, I am going to put together all of the information, and sit down and talk it out with the soon to be wife. I do wish at times that I had the freedom that a lot of people have (no significant other that they have to consider). It makes it a bit more difficult when my fiancee has to apply and find a job in four different cities while I am trying to decide . Luckily she is a teacher and it isn't difficult for her to get a job, but getting one in a good school that she will like is hard.

I'm with ya...my SO can't move with his current profession so my only choices were 1. stay here, 2. go somewhere close enough that we could visit each other by driving, 3. try to make a long distance relationship work (which it probably wouldn't....so this wasn't really much of an option for me)

I really hope this doesn't come off mean or sound like I'm trying to preach but I'm genuinely curious as to why you're creating limitations on such a major life choice for a relationship that wouldn't even survive distance?

I am not the one you are asking, but I know that long distance wouldn't work for my relationship either. My fiancee does not enjoy time apart, and would get pretty lonely when I had two week long business trips. It is not that she can't survive by herself or that she doesn't have other friends. She is just not the type of person that long distance works for. Talking on the phone/skyping isn't the same. She likes being physically near me (I hope this doesn't come off weird or sexual, it is not).

JJ - definitely consider NY close enough. I really wouldn't mind stay in Boston anyway so going to a strong regional was never a problem for me though.

Stylnator - not mean at all! Similar to what JJ said above - I just know we wouldn't survive a distance that was so long we'd have to fly to each other (i.e. never see each other what with being poor). If I knew we'd have whole summers together it would be one thing but I could be working anywhere over the summers. That's 3 years of spending probably around a month/year together total and I'm jsut not someone that would do well with that

[jjcorvino]

Guys, here we go, another /r/lawschooladmissions chance to bash us

https://www.reddit.com/r/lawschooladmis ... ts_on_tls/

Another time, I saw someone with a 3.8/174 called a dumbfuck for not retaking.

not seeing the problem here

I think their sarcasm filter is off, because I don't think that would ever happen

It's not sarcasm, if you have such a pedestrian GPA you need at least a 180 to hit the T13

I would probably need at least a 185 with my 3.4 then. Should I retake twice and get 180 both times to show the schools that I am better than the other 180s?!

[Hennessy]

My tough decision has become full ride at local TTT with 25% unemployment or sticker at Emory. Or sit out the cycle.