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I am at a dilemma and know I should have put more effort into making this decision earlier.

I have already put down my two deposits for a place in the Fall 2010's class at the University of San Francisco. Now that I have done so, I am really second guessing my decision (more from a financial and prestigious point of view). I had applied really late in the cycle for the last year and received mostly waitlist decisions from the schools I had applied to. I would have to pay sticker price at USF, which would be substantial debt for me to acquire upon graduation. On top of that, all of my tuition fees would have to come in the form of loans as I was unable to receive scholarships for this year. The current state of our economical/lack of employment times worries me in regards to my ability to pay all of this back once I have started working after law school.

Six months ago I was lucky enough to be able to start working for a small law firm. I have really learned a lot from my legal employers and positively enough, am getting paid pretty well. I am wondering whether or not I should take the year off, retake the LSATS (it would now have to be in October) and reapply. This time I would be applying earlier, create a stronger personal statement, have some true experience under my belt, and hopefully a possible LSAT score. Plus, I will be able to work on saving some more money so I wouldn't have to take out so much in loans. Nevertheless, I'm not sure how good or bad reapplying for the same schools looks on an applicant especially if I apply back to USF after withdrawing (I want to work in the bay area). I don't have too strong of a gps (3.4 at UCSD) and my LSAT could definitely be improved (158). I am also concerned of not doing better on the LSAT and having my scores averaged.


What do you guys think? I can't really rely on parental guidance as I know they just want me to "get it over with." I, on the other hand, want to personally make sure this is right for me before I drown myself in debt. Hopefully working at this law firm for the year would give me a better idea; it already has.

Thoughts? Appreciate it.

I think you have a solid case to take a year off. With an earlier application, there may be more scholarship funds available at your target schools. You may want to look into deferring your admission at USF in the event that your second cycle is not much different (could happen with a similar or lower second LSAT). Good luck with your decision!

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY TAKE THE YEAR AND RE-APPLY.

1. Retake the LSAT. No schools truly average. 5-7 points will change your life.
2. USF is not worth the debt. It is an incredibly risky move to take on sticker level debt with a USF degree.
3. It sounds like you can do better on the LSAT and you have something to do in the intervening year anyways. Treat the LSAT like a job--it really is worth tens of thousands of dollars--and you'll improve...
4. Most schools don't care about students re-applying (if they do, they do so slightly), just make sure you redo your PS.
5. Even just having early applications will free up scholarship money at some schools.

Honestly, reading your post sounded like what I would compose if I wanted to make a fake post of what kind of applicant should reapply and/or retake the LSAT in the meantime. It sounds like you are at a good place right now--taking USF at sticker is a downgrade.

Take the October exam and if you are unhappy retake again in December. 3 scores is not abnormal and schools really will look at your highest score almost exclusively (even if they claim they average.). And get your apps in as soon as you can--if you need the Dec exam have the materials ready to submit as soon as you get the score.

Good luck!

there is no guarantee that you would get a higher lsat score. if you get lower your fucked. make sure you don't waste an opportunity

justright157 wrote:there is no guarantee that you would get a higher lsat score. if you get lower your fucked. make sure you don't waste an opportunity

Worst case scenario: you score lower on your LSAT.

Schools don't care. And you'll have the huge benefit of earlier applications. So no, you aren't "fucked" if you score lower. For every school but USF, your application will be better received by virtue of the early application.

No offense OP, but USF at sticker is not a huge opportunity; it is a big risk. Tuition is close to 40, 000 a year, and the area is expensive to live in. If you get a scholarship I think it is a good school, but there is no reason for you to settle for sticker for your market. If you want a safety net, you can try asking for a non-binding deferral from USF. But if you don't defer and get a higher LSAT, it is very possible USF will end up offering you a scholarship.

You have a good job and can put together better applications. I wouldn't sell yourself short.

Thank you for the advice. I have decided to take the year off to work, save up some money, do better on the LSAT, and apply for the next cycle. I do feel like I've made the right decision in this matter and appreciate the outside insight.

Good luck!

From everything you posted here, it sounds like a good decision. A few extra LSAT points would be a huge, and if that fails early applications will still help.