Level with me 3.4/166 white dude Forum

[BeerMaker]

What are the absolute best schools I can get into? I've looked at all the data, just need advice from real people. Thanks.

[soitgoes9]

Have you used http://www.lawschoolpredictor.com

IF you are asking for more insight you need to give is more to work with. Were you a science major for example. Had one bad semester do to medical or family issues? Do you have work exp.? If you want more insight than lsp or lsn then you need to give us something to work with.

[BeerMaker]

Never had a bad semester. I got what I got. Pretty consistent. Did I give full effort? Hell no. Hindsight is always 20/20. My gpa isn't amazing, but it got me what I needed. History major. Meh degree. I've worked for a couple of years as a teacher. Some community service.

[soitgoes9]

Well at least you have WE but i would say you should focus on strong regional places where you want to work.

[thederangedwang]

All the t14's and schools with national prestige and flexibility are basically non starters for you now. I would concentrate on strong regional schools.

For instance, if you live in or want to practice in Florida, then apply to Florida, Florida State.

Focus on regional strongs. Maybe also WUSTL

[john1990]

I would aim for Emory or Fordham

[BeerMaker]

I'm from the mid west. I want the best school possible?

[Jasper21]

Illinois
Minnesota
Indiana
Ohio state

[JamMasterJ]

Fordham or Notre Dame or retake

[TommyK]

define best school. Best school as far as placement? highest ranking? highest ranking compared to cost? are you willing to go to sticker? does it need to be in a specific part of the country? Going to OSU because it's ranked higher when you want to find a job in Florida would not be a good choice so we would need to know what you're looking for.

[BeerMaker]

JamMasterJ, I think ND is the direction I am leaning. I haven't even given a thought to Fordham. Do they have much versatility? I'm a long way from NYC.

A full ride at Bloomingtin might be tough to pass up too. Not sure that's possible with my numbers though.

[BeerMaker]

Tommy, I am from Detroit area. I want the best school for career prospects. Nothing more.

[soitgoes9]

Illinois
Minnesota
Indiana
Ohio state

+ ND, Iowa?

Also watch out Indiana places below their rank.

I think you are on the right track but cast a wide net.

[soitgoes9]

oops

[BeerMaker]

I should also mention that I make 60,000 at my current job. Would giving that up for say OSU be a dumb move? Maybe a retake and wait another year is a better choice. What do you think? By the way, this is very helpful!

[soitgoes9]

1 retake
2Get a 170
3 go to NW
4 profit

[keg411]

I should also mention that I make 60,000 at my current job. Would giving that up for say OSU be a dumb move? Maybe a retake and wait another year is a better choice. What do you think? By the way, this is very helpful!

I think you should stay in your current job unless you absolutely despise every minute of it (and even then you should seriously pause). If you really want law school, re-take until you can get a score that can get you into Michigan or Northwestern. And if that means waiting another cycle or two, wait.

[MrKappus]

I want the best school for career prospects.

Then go to Yale.

Seriously, with your stats, "best school for career prospects" means nothing w/o a target market.

[TommyK]

I should also mention that I make 60,000 at my current job. Would giving that up for say OSU be a dumb move? Maybe a retake and wait another year is a better choice. What do you think? By the way, this is very helpful!

Before the TLS chorus jumps on and says no, let me say this: there is no way anybody can answer that for you. It's something only you can decide because it depends on what you value, your future career prospects in and outside of law, how much you enjoy your job, how much you would enjoy law, and a bunch of other things.

[BeerMaker]

So I think I should be able to improve my LSAT. I should also mention that I have multiple scores. 166 was the one I took the most serious. I do believe a 170 is possible if I work hard, but I realize my old scores aren't going away.

So is the consensus that leaving a good job is a bad move unless NU or UM? Those are both dream schools for me. My only worry is that I wouldn't get in with a 3.4.

Another thing I should mention is that I have a very strong tie to a law firm in Detroit.

I like my job a lot. I know I would be happy working as an attorney too.

[TommyK]

So I think I should be able to improve my LSAT. I should also mention that I have multiple scores. 166 was the one I took the most serious. I do believe a 170 is possible if I work hard, but I realize my old scores aren't going away.

So is the consensus that leaving a good job is a bad move unless NU or UM? Those are both dream schools for me. My only worry is that I wouldn't get in with a 3.4.

Another thing I should mention is that I have a very strong tie to a law firm in Detroit.

NU is less of a concern with your GPA. They take their share of splitters. Leverage your work experience to make a compelling case for your acceptance. UM has cared more about GPAs historically.

[Flappy Scribbleneck]

OP - we are numbers twins and sounds like we are in the exact same situation (Work Experience, older, we have an okay job already)

It seems like a degree from Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, UIB are most likely going to give you a shot at a job like the one you have, maybe a little bigger salary, in the immediate area of the school (so maybe not so close to your current stomping grounds). But you will also have some debt to deal with - maybe $50,000 - $150,000 depending on where you end up.
How do you feel about that, a slight raise maybe a little more opportunity, but in a new city, and a house payment with no house?

This is the question I still struggle with so I would like to know what a person in a similar situation thinks.

[MachineLemon]

I should also mention that I make 60,000 at my current job. Would giving that up for say OSU be a dumb move? Maybe a retake and wait another year is a better choice. What do you think? By the way, this is very helpful!

(3 years X $60,000) + ($82,000 avg. indebtedness at OSU) = $262,000

Also, remember that you won't be able to accrue any interest on the savings/investment you could have made with your salary. Also, the interest on your debt will probably push the real cost of the loan above 100k.

So the question is: Is law school the best use of a quarter of a million dollars? You buy a home or rental properties or start a business or save for your retirement... but you'll have to make that call.

[JamMasterJ]

So I think I should be able to improve my LSAT. I should also mention that I have multiple scores. 166 was the one I took the most serious. I do believe a 170 is possible if I work hard, but I realize my old scores aren't going away.

So is the consensus that leaving a good job is a bad move unless NU or UM? Those are both dream schools for me. My only worry is that I wouldn't get in with a 3.4.

Another thing I should mention is that I have a very strong tie to a law firm in Detroit.

NU is less of a concern with your GPA. They take their share of splitters. Leverage your work experience to make a compelling case for your acceptance. UM has cared more about GPAs historically.

my friend just got ED to UM with a sub-3.3 and 169. You can definitely get in there or NU with about 4 more points. IMO, you should only leave your current job for T14 schools

[BeerMaker]

Thanks everyone. I think waiting might be the best situation for a person in my situation. Who knows? Maybe I could increase 6-7 points. At that point I could go to a great school for cheaper and ease the pain of leaving a good job. A 173 might get me significant scholly money at NU or UM, even with a 3.4, no? Maybe I'm overestimating my abilities, but I did go from a 151 to a 161 to a 166. So, I'm aware that this test can be mastered. Right?