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[Black Hat]

Delete

[Nova]

You are either an elaborate flame or a misguided soul

[Black Hat]

mvn

[Black Hat]

me.

[Presidentjlh]

With that GPA and military experience, you get a 173+, you've got some shots at HYS.

Don't sell yourself short on this. Retake.

Those schools you want to attend may be inexpensive for you tuition wise, but their job prospects aren't good at all. You have an excellent, excellent GPA, a good enough LSAT score and you could look at freaking Yale.

[Black Hat]

I appreciate

[Presidentjlh]

I appreciate the suggestion but I don't want to retake. I intend on going back into the military as a lawyer. I don't plan staying in the civilian market for very long. But of course plans change. It is tentative.

Well, if you want to get into military legal work, you have to aim for the top schools. Those jobs are super-competitive, and if they're choosing between you from, say, Mississippi, and some guy from Harvard, sorry, the Harvard dude will get the job 99 times out of a hundred. It's the nature of the game. I tell you this because it's worth waiting a year and looking at a great chance at doing what you want to do for the rest of your life than going now, ending up with a pretty meh legal job in your local area (if you're lucky)

[txdude45]

I appreciate the suggestion but I don't want to retake. I intend on going back into the military as a lawyer. I don't plan staying in the civilian market for very long. But of course plans change. It is tentative.

Will the JAG corps hire you with degrees from those schools? I'm not trying to be a dick, I honestly don't know and I was led to believe it was super fucking tough to get that gig.

[PRgradBYU]

I appreciate the suggestion but I don't want to retake. I intend on going back into the military as a lawyer. I don't plan staying in the civilian market for very long. But of course plans change. It is tentative.

LOL.

OK, you've had your fun. This is clearly a flame.

(In the unlikely event that you're being serious, please retake. Other law school applicants would do unspeakable things for that GPA.)

[Lavitz]

You'll probably get into all of them. But you should listen to what everyone else here is saying.

Have you researched the area of law you'd practice and confirmed that they hire from these schools?

[Black Hat]

As

[Presidentjlh]

As far as I know the Jag Corps does not discriminate out right based on school. Sure it has influence, certainly Harvard would be meaningful. However, keep in mind that I am in fact a Marine. And my Corps would take me over someone else who has never done anything but gone to school. What it comes down to in the Jag Corps is the recommendation you receive from your reviewer. Marines stick together every time guaranteed. There is a reason why they call it a brotherhood. But of course there is an element of chance in everything one does. Thanks for the replies gentlemen.

I'll go by the chance this isn't a flame.

Maybe you get lucky. Maybe you're the only Marine aiming for the job.

But something tells me other members of the armed forces, including the Marines, are going to law school as well. You gotta consider all these factors.

Just consider retaking. It can't hurt you, schools don't care about averaged LSAT scores, they care about highest score you have.

[Black Hat]

Presidentjlh,

[Black Hat]

Does

[Nova]

Presidentjlh,

I guarantee this is not a flame. If there is anyone out there who is serious it is me.

Thanks for the respectful comments and suggestions I appreciate it. The legal climate will improve eventually. I don't think it will be as dire as it is right now three years from now. It has to level out. And again I can work a mediocre legal job somewhere for a few years to gain experience. I will have NO debt. This means I can afford to take the low paying job that the guy 100K under can't. If the Marines taught me anything it was how to adapt and overcome. I am confident I will be able to obtain gainful employment somewhere if not Jag. But again, prior military will mean a lot to a Jag interviewer. Thanks again.

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=127539
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 2&t=156874
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =3&t=31543
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=103562
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=183456
http://www.jdunderground.com/jag/thread ... adId=36464
http://lawyerist.com/applying-to-the-ja ... e-the-cut/

[Nova]

What are your opinions and insight on the below schools. They are listed in order from lowest median LSAT score for 2012 to highest. I have already applied just waiting for word back. I would appreciate any insight! Based on the most recent data available...

University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth Median LSAT 145 This school isnt even accredited
Faulkner School of Law Median LSAT 149 Never heard of it
Mississippi College School of Law Median LSAT 149 Only 60% of the class ends up with long term full time legal jobs
Syracuse University Median LSAT 153Only 45% of the class ends up with long term full time legal jobs
Charleston School of Law Median LSAT 154 Only 53% of the class ends up with long term full time legal jobs
West Virginia University Median LSAT 154 Decent placement in WV only, low paying jobs
University of Mississippi Median LSAT 155 Only 60% of the class ends up with long term full time legal jobs
University of South Carolina Median LSAT 158 Solid regional. Degree wont travel outside of South Carolina though
St. John's University Median LSAT 158 Less than 50% of the class ends up with long term full time legal jobs
University of Oregon Median LSAT 159 Only 42% of the class ends up with long term full time legal jobs
University of Pittsburgh Median LSAT 159 Only 52% of the class ends up with long term full time legal jobs
Northeastern University Median LSAT 161 Only 43% of the class ends up with long term full time legal jobs

http://www.lstscorereports.com/

[Black Hat]

Thanks

[Nova]

South Carolina has the best job prospects on your list.

Still, attending law school with a 155 is a short sighted decision. You have a Harvard GPA.

[Black Hat]

The

[bandenjamin]

Thanks for the links regarding Jag but they are simply reaffirming what I already knew.

No disrespect to anyone here. But if you have not been in the military than you can assume you know nothing about it. It is a different beast. Different form ANYTHING you have ever experienced. You may read what you want but you don't know the reality. Grades don't hardly matter, and the school doesn't matter. What matters is physical fitness and leadership. Two things which I have documented evidence of being exemplary in. This is the ultimate question. Can you (the Jag applicant) lead Marines into battle? How many can answer yes to that? The answer is VERY FEW. By very nature the type who goes to law school can not cut it in that type of situation. I have proven myself time and time again and that WILL MATTER to Jag. So again, I KNOW my corps and I know what will get me in and what will not. Thank you for the concern.

Again gentleman I am not seeking advice on the military. If I were I would seek it from people who are qualified to give it.

I am looking for advice/information/wisdom on law school and the application process regarding the aforementioned schools. You are all more than likely qualified to give advice on that subject. Anything useful regarding admission to those schools would be outstanding. Thank You.

I hate to harp on it but retaking in October is really the best option available to you. Think of it this way. If there are 10 Jag spots open and 12 decorated Marines with degrees from various schools, then the school you went to will matter more. Obviously you've got a major advantage over someone who has never served, but you leaving a lot of opportunity on the table if you just accept the score.

That said if you absolutely refuse to retake, pick the school that is in an area you would be happy spending the next 10+ years of your life while you carve out a law practice, in the event that you are not able to secure employment with Jag.

[Black Hat]

I

[0831kf]

Like Gary said, getting into JAG, although it is very competitive, a lot of new officers are from T2-T3 schools. They really don't care that much about school or grade. Prior service members have distinctive advantage over others who don't have military or defense career.

If you're 100+% sure on JAG, I really don't see why not go to one of those schools and do 1L-2L internship at JAG.

But as you've mentioned, you might change your mind and then you're screwed if you go to one of these schools. I suggest falling in love with LSAT for the next 3 months and improving your score. If you increase 5 points, you can get into T1 regional flagship schools and thereby having another chance at civilian career if you change your mind. If you increase 10 or more, T 14 is within reach.

Seriously, you can go to Harvard, Columbia, Stanford, NYU, Virginia, Michigan, Berkeley, Duke, Cornell for FREE, Chicago, Northwestern, Georgetown, Upenn under COA of $40K, Yale for $60K.

Unless you're 1000000% sure you're gonna do JAG, please re-take for the sake of your career.

[Nova]

The GPA number is high but it is in Criminal Justice. So how much weight does that GPA really hold? I think the obsession with the schools "ranking" is short sighted. What success really takes is drive, motivation, and discipline.

Your major doesn't matter for law school admissions. Its better to be a 3.9 in basket weaving than a 3.7 in anything else.

USNWR rankings dont matter. Job prospects do.

Thanks for that link by the way. It was pretty useful provided that is a reputable site providing valid information. It is good to see SC and WV with the best on my list since I hold citizenship to both of those states.

It is the most reputable and trusted information available.

[Black Hat]

bandenjamin,

[0831kf]

bandenjamin,

Thanks for the reply. I will be going back to the military whether it is as a lawyer or an infantry officer. The military is my future either way. However, I like the law and I want to go to law school. South Carolina is still my number one choice. As I said I love that state. And from what I have read USC is a fairly reputable school.

-Black Hat

If you're 100000% set going back to military, I say go for it I guess. Just make sure you do 1L-2L at any of the branch JAG, preferably your first choice. Good luck!