3.85 GPA Honors Program / 153 LSAT Forum

[aherro88]

I never imagined I'd be in this position since I have a 3.85 in the Honors Program at U. of Georgia in Finance and studied about 8 months for the LSAT including a Kaplan extreme course averaging about 162-167 on the my practice tests. Unfortunately, come test days I just couldn't focus on RC and long LRs well and got a 153 and a cancel.

I've been told to take a year off by several and to retake it next year because my prospects will likely be better, but the bottom line is I am ready and passionate to study law now and I feel like if I take a year or more off I may not wish to return to 3 more years of school.

It's a roller coaster of a ride right now considering I applied to 9 schools and I've gotten 2 acceptances (Mercer & New York Law School) and 7 waiting/hold lists (ranging from Stetson to UGA).

If anyone can provide some helpful advice, I would appreciate it.

[YankeesFan]

Do not waste that GPA on that LSAT score or NYLS. Retake, retake, retake. Shoot for at least 160+

[Bumi]

I feel like if I take a year or more off I may not wish to return to 3 more years of school.

This is a feature of that plan, not a downside.

[ausoccer19]

Seriously, listen to the above posters. If you might not want to study law after a single year off, how are you going to feel after your 1L year or even five years into your career? If your "passion" changes that much that quickly, that's something to consider. I took a year off to work and retake and am very happy about it. I have now gotten into a school with scholarship that denied me at this time last year. Trust us, it's worth it.

[aherro88]

From a money/logic/all the above standpoint, the decision to be made is to take a year off and prepare for the LSAT for a much higher score.

It's just hard waiting 4 years in undergrad to finally get to this point along with all the application preparation, and then hit the brakes and watch everyone pass me by.

[Drake014]

I feel like if I take a year or more off I may not wish to return to 3 more years of school.

This is a feature of that plan, not a downside.

Agreed. If you think you're going to change your mind after a year off, then AWESOME. Definitely do it.

[TyrodTaylor]

Patience is a virtue, and one that would be valued by law schools. It would show a great deal of maturity to take that year off, get your score up, and go where you know you deserve to be. Schools will know you wont settle for anything less than your best. Its a win-win. If you dont feel like going to school in a year, awesome, you just saved 100 grand.

[Bumi]

Patience is a virtue, and one that would be valued by law schools. It would show a great deal of maturity to take that year off, get your score up, and go where you know you deserve to be. Schools will know you wont settle for anything less than your best. Its a win-win. If you dont feel like going to school in a year, awesome, you just saved 100200 grand.

Also: go hokies.

[aherro88]

True. Lack of patience is unfortunately a weakness of mine. I think of the opportunity to live and network in NYC and it seems appealing. Even though NYLS is T3 I feel the networking opportunities, new facilities, and good faculty make it more of a decent T2.

I just would be living in constant worry of drowning in debt and I think that is what has kept me from putting a deposit in.

[TheFactor]

True. Lack of patience is unfortunately a weakness of mine. I think of the opportunity to live and network in NYC and it seems appealing. Even though NYLS is T3 I feel the networking opportunities, new facilities, and good faculty make it more of a decent T2.

I just would be living in constant worry of drowning in debt and I think that is what has kept me from putting a deposit in.

Please retake, OP. 160+ will open up a lot of great options for you with that GPA. Don't try to rationalize paying sticker or close-to-sticker at NYLS.

[wothli]

Don't waste your good GPA on law schools that don't deserve you.
If your passion for law cannot last for one year, then I suggest that you should probably consider another profession.

[dddhhh]

Hey OP, I have the same stats as you/non URM. Applied last year around January and didn't get accepted into good enough programs so I decided not to attend...which felt like the end of the world. BUT, reapplied this year, submitted apps in November, with work experience/more LOR/superb essays. So far I have been admitted to Washington and Lee & Northwestern. Held at University of Georgia, and waiting to hear back from UNC & Georgetown.

Just know that it may not happen for you this year but it may turn out for the best! Work on your application for next year - retake if you feel you can improve your score, get your applications in early and call admissions during off time to ask what can be improved in your application.

Good luck!

[homestyle28]

It seems to me the correct response is that if this is really true:

I feel like if I take a year or more off I may not wish to return to 3 more years of school.

then you shouldn't go to law school. If one year away from school would sway your career plan that much, what's going to happen when you dislike your first law job? Then you'll have 3 years of school + a ton of debt.

Gird your loins and take the year off, your 30 year old self will thank you.

[aherro88]

Thanks for the afvice, it is very helpful.

Dddhhh, I saw u on lawschoolnumbers I think. I saw a green dot out to the left at northwestern. Congrats on that

[CanadianWolf]

At which law schools are you on hold or waitlist status ?

[General Tso]

do not attend law school with that LSAT. unless you are going to a T3/T4 school for free...and that's only if you really want to be a lawyer.

[aherro88]

At which law schools are you on hold or waitlist status ?

Miami, Georgia, Georgia State, South Carolina, Stetson

[Drake014]

True. Lack of patience is unfortunately a weakness of mine. I think of the opportunity to live and network in NYC and it seems appealing. Even though NYLS is T3 I feel the networking opportunities, new facilities, and good faculty make it more of a decent T2.

I just would be living in constant worry of drowning in debt and I think that is what has kept me from putting a deposit in.

It would be financially wiser to knock up a 16 year old than attend a T3 or T2 at sticker in NYC

[bhan87]

DON'T WASTE THAT GPA!

If at all humanly possible, you really need to retake and drill the LSAT into your mind. Break a 165 and you're looking at possible opportunities at T-14s or Tier 1 at the least. 170+ and you're in at CCN

You do NOT want to go to a school that will take you with your current score.

[CanadianWolf]

Georgia may be your best option. Visit the law school & hand deliver a LOCI. Otherwise work for a year & retake the LSAT if you do not get off Georgia's waitlist.

[General Tso]

dude stick with finance. you got a good gpa from a good school. your career options will be so much better in that field.