For those of you still on Waitlists (with no acceptances)... Forum

[MissLucky]

What are you doing?
I'm on 5 wait lists (no acceptances at all) and have already taken the LSAT twice (the LSAT is the factor that has definitely brought my application down).

Should I start preparing for law school (reading prep books, ordering a new laptop, etc.) AND start studying for the October LSAT again (and if so, how the hell can I study for this again...i've seriously exhausted all the materials!)?

Or are you guys JUST going to begin studying for the LSAT now and screw the law school prep stuff or vice versa?

I'm just going crazy here...

Thanks!

[MissLucky]

50 views and no thoughts?

[Great Satchmo]

What are you doing?
I'm on 5 wait lists (no acceptances at all) and have already taken the LSAT twice (the LSAT is the factor that has definitely brought my application down).

Should I start preparing for law school (reading prep books, ordering a new laptop, etc.) AND start studying for the October LSAT again (and if so, how the hell can I study for this again...i've seriously exhausted all the materials!)?

Or are you guys JUST going to begin studying for the LSAT now and screw the law school prep stuff or vice versa?

I'm just going crazy here...

Thanks!

If you want a laptop either way and can afford it...buy a laptop, I hear they work for more than a year.

And most advice on here is prepping for 1L doesn't make much of a difference and to just enjoy your time.

So, the logical answer here seems to be: start studying hard for an LSAT retake. If you get in, stop studying (assuming you want to go there), otherwise you are getting ready for the LSAT.

Good luck!

[berkeleykel06]

You may want to invest some time putting together a list of things you'll need to do if you get off the waitlists at any of these schools. You can start scoping out laptops so you already know which one you want, maybe you can get an idea of the housing situation at all 5 of the schools and have an idea of where to look for apartments, find out if there are any health forms, etc that any of these schools require.

Once that is done I would start prepping for the LSAT as if the waitlists didn't exist.

[eandy]

Ok, we need to determine if you are hopeless or not to figure out what you should be doing right now.
We need:
1. Numbers(GPA/LSAT) (nobody cares about your softs)
2. Are you URM?
3. When did you apply?
4. Where are you on waitlists?

[Lurkster]

If I were you, I would not concern myself with law school prep books right now. Even though you are on quite a few waitlists, the chances of you getting off of any of them are slim to none. If you are serious about studying law, you should start doing everything you can to perfect your application packet for the next run in the fall.

I have no acceptances, and am left with one WL. I am a splitter, and my LSAT is already high enough to open doors wherever I could realistically be accepted, so I'm going to start refining my application package soon. I definitely need to come up with an all new PS, perhaps write a DS, write addenda that I did not write before, and maybe get a new LOR. I do think that the nuances of an application might be more important than the posters on this site suggest, but then again, that might only be true for people with an obvious red flag. For me, that's an abysmal GPA.

If the LSAT is what brought your application down, and you think you have room for improvement, that's where you need to focus your energy. However, since you have taken the test twice already, I would temper your expectations a bit. There is a good chance that your score is already as good as it is going to be.

[iiifly]

50 views and no thoughts?

first thought that comes to my mind..... nevermind that.

second thought is that you should've applied to some slightly lower ranked safety schools. Perhaps you could've transferred after 1 L if your hearts set on a top ranked place. this doesn't help you, does it. oh well! just stand by and pray for that call.

[MissLucky]

Ok, we need to determine if you are hopeless or not to figure out what you should be doing right now.
We need:
1. Numbers(GPA/LSAT) (nobody cares about your softs)
2. Are you URM?
3. When did you apply?
4. Where are you on waitlists?

1) 3.6x/164
2) M, but not URM
3) Applied in January to all except Gtown which I ED-ed in October
4) Gtown (PT and FT), USC, WUSTL, Emory, BC

[eandy]

Ok, we need to determine if you are hopeless or not to figure out what you should be doing right now.
We need:
1. Numbers(GPA/LSAT) (nobody cares about your softs)
2. Are you URM?
3. When did you apply?
4. Where are you on waitlists?

1) 3.6x/164
2) M, but not URM
3) Applied in January to all except Gtown which I ED-ed in October
4) Gtown (PT and FT), USC, WUSTL, Emory, BC

Ok. I had the exact same numbers as you. Unless USC means South Carolina, you failed yourself here. Georgetown was a waste of cash(what I call a Stretch Armstrong app), and the rest were reaches. There are schools in the top 30 that will take you, you just screwed up. Hate to tell you that. Retake the LSAT, apply again.

[MissLucky]

Ok, we need to determine if you are hopeless or not to figure out what you should be doing right now.
We need:
1. Numbers(GPA/LSAT) (nobody cares about your softs)
2. Are you URM?
3. When did you apply?
4. Where are you on waitlists?

1) 3.6x/164
2) M, but not URM
3) Applied in January to all except Gtown which I ED-ed in October
4) Gtown (PT and FT), USC, WUSTL, Emory, BC

Ok. I had the exact same numbers as you. Unless USC means South Carolina, you failed yourself here. Georgetown was a waste of cash(what I call a Stretch Armstrong app), and the rest were reaches. There are schools in the top 30 that will take you, you just screwed up. Hate to tell you that. Retake the LSAT, apply again.

which schools in the top 30 are you thinking would have taken me? i only applied places i thought I would be happy at and whose programs fit my interests...but i'm curious as to which law schools you think I would have had a better shot at

[scribelaw]

Ok, we need to determine if you are hopeless or not to figure out what you should be doing right now.
We need:
1. Numbers(GPA/LSAT) (nobody cares about your softs)
2. Are you URM?
3. When did you apply?
4. Where are you on waitlists?

1) 3.6x/164
2) M, but not URM
3) Applied in January to all except Gtown which I ED-ed in October
4) Gtown (PT and FT), USC, WUSTL, Emory, BC

With a few more LSAT points, you'll be a lot more competitve at all these schools (except GTown, for which you'd need to be closer to 170).

If you don't get in from the waitlists (which seems to be tough this year), you might want to consider good state schools where you might get $$ and in-state tuition after your first year, like Iowa, Ohio State and Indiana-Bloomington. Also, you'd be a strong candidate at William and Mary, I'd think.

BUT -- don't go to schools just because you can get in. Biglaw is going to be difficult from any of these schools, so you'd need a realistic debt load and career goals that fit.

[MissLucky]

Ok, we need to determine if you are hopeless or not to figure out what you should be doing right now.
We need:
1. Numbers(GPA/LSAT) (nobody cares about your softs)
2. Are you URM?
3. When did you apply?
4. Where are you on waitlists?

1) 3.6x/164
2) M, but not URM
3) Applied in January to all except Gtown which I ED-ed in October
4) Gtown (PT and FT), USC, WUSTL, Emory, BC

With a few more LSAT points, you'll be a lot more competitve at all these schools (except GTown, for which you'd need to be closer to 170).

If you don't get in from the waitlists (which seems to be tough this year), you might want to consider good state schools where you might get $$ and in-state tuition after your first year, like Iowa, Ohio State and Indiana-Bloomington. Also, you'd be a strong candidate at William and Mary, I'd think.

thanks a lot - yeah man, a few more points and the game totally changes for sure...i guess i should start getting my mindset oriented towards retaking the lsat now (with less focus on substance and more on psychological/mental toughness and preparedness since i totally let nerves get the best of me before...)

[eandy]

If you don't get in from the waitlists (which seems to be tough this year), you might want to consider good state schools where you might get $$ and in-state tuition after your first year, like Iowa, Ohio State and Indiana-Bloomington. Also, you'd be a strong candidate at William and Mary, I'd think.

I had the same numbers and was waitlisted at W&M. I had a special PS for them and everything. You should be able to get into Georgia with $ unless it is a lot more competitive next year. I second the Iowa and Indiana-Bloomington advice above. Really, though, since you have to wait a whole 'nother year anyway, just retake.
I would have taken the test again, but I really liked UGA, and I was happy with it.

[MissLucky]

Ok, we need to determine if you are hopeless or not to figure out what you should be doing right now.
We need:
1. Numbers(GPA/LSAT) (nobody cares about your softs)
2. Are you URM?
3. When did you apply?
4. Where are you on waitlists?

1) 3.6x/164
2) M, but not URM
3) Applied in January to all except Gtown which I ED-ed in October
4) Gtown (PT and FT), USC, WUSTL, Emory, BC

With a few more LSAT points, you'll be a lot more competitve at all these schools (except GTown, for which you'd need to be closer to 170).

If you don't get in from the waitlists (which seems to be tough this year), you might want to consider good state schools where you might get $$ and in-state tuition after your first year, like Iowa, Ohio State and Indiana-Bloomington. Also, you'd be a strong candidate at William and Mary, I'd think.

BUT -- don't go to schools just because you can get in. Biglaw is going to be difficult from any of these schools, so you'd need a realistic debt load and career goals that fit.

yeah, i'm not interested in Biglaw though (although id like the option of entering that market) - i'm interested in public int'l law and public interest law....debt load is a non-issue for me.

[scribelaw]

Ok, we need to determine if you are hopeless or not to figure out what you should be doing right now.
We need:
1. Numbers(GPA/LSAT) (nobody cares about your softs)
2. Are you URM?
3. When did you apply?
4. Where are you on waitlists?

1) 3.6x/164
2) M, but not URM
3) Applied in January to all except Gtown which I ED-ed in October
4) Gtown (PT and FT), USC, WUSTL, Emory, BC

With a few more LSAT points, you'll be a lot more competitve at all these schools (except GTown, for which you'd need to be closer to 170).

If you don't get in from the waitlists (which seems to be tough this year), you might want to consider good state schools where you might get $$ and in-state tuition after your first year, like Iowa, Ohio State and Indiana-Bloomington. Also, you'd be a strong candidate at William and Mary, I'd think.

thanks a lot - yeah man, a few more points and the game totally changes for sure...i guess i should start getting my mindset oriented towards retaking the lsat now (with less focus on substance and more on psychological/mental toughness and preparedness since i totally let nerves get the best of me before...)

Difference between 164 and 167 is not much -- luck, or a generous curve, or how you're feeling that day. With a 167, you're a mortal lock at WUSTL and Emory, at a minimum.

[Matteliszt]

If I were you, I would just study for the LSAT. What everyone is telling you is solid advice. Unless you can improve your LSAT by a huge margin(172+), you are essentially maxed out at strong state schools. I would apply to the WashU/Emory/Notre Dame tier schools, since they will likely give you a scholly with a 167+, as well as sending apps to Iowa/Minesota/UGA/UNC/UIUC. You have better numbers than me and I got a scholly at UNC. When I get in state tuition next year, its going to be hard to beat that deal, and I am sure you can do the same.

Biglaw is going to be difficult from any school except HYSCC, so you'd need a realistic debt load and career goals that fit.

Fixed that for you. You need to do well to get biglaw, everyone knows that. I would argue going to GT over a strong state school (UGA/UNC/UIUC) isn't a huge gain if you are taking on serious debt(10k+/yr)

[d-cannon]

I got a scholly at UNC. When I get in state tuition next year, its going to be hard to beat that deal

Good luck with that in-state residency... I hear it is tough to get.

[OperaSoprano]

Difference between 164 and 167 is not much -- luck, or a generous curve, or how you're feeling that day. With a 167, you're a mortal lock at WUSTL and Emory, at a minimum.

LOL, tell me about it! OP, A 164 is not a death sentence. My school isn't T30 anymore by USNews, but my numbers were close to yours (lower LSAC GPA) and I eventually came off that waitlist. I saw people with similar get into BC at the end of the summer. Also, don't let anyone mislead you into thinking it's an intelligence test, or any kind of measure of how you'll do once admitted. One of the most intelligent people I know had under a 164, and it was my personal shame that I just assumed things and complained about my score to him. Do not give up! I was a waitlist admit, got into my first choice school, and I did just fine. So can you! (This is not to say you shouldn't retake, but it isn't too late for this cycle-- I have seen many miracles in my time).

[Matteliszt]

Good luck with that in-state residency... I hear it is tough to get.

Quite actually, but doable.

[d-cannon]

Good luck with that in-state residency... I hear it is tough to get.

Quite actually, but doable.

I will be attempting to do it next month... I'll let you know what happens and hope to meet you this fall.

[Matteliszt]

PMed you so we didn't derail misslucky's thread

[Emma1]

Study for the LSAT's again BUT I would get a physical and have shot record ready. I presume that your family will front the money so you don't have worries there. Also next cycle I would definitely pick several schools that are safe for you.