Top Law Schools

(EDITED FOR DISCRETION)

Dug up an old application and these were the relevant looking questions:

2. Have you ever been charged with or convicted of any crime or offense other than a minor traffic violation? This includes any charges, complaints or citations that were filed against you as a juvenile or as an adult, formal or informal, pending or closed, dismissed, expunged, sealed or subject to a diversionary program, and includes any charges, complaints or citations that you reasonably expect to be brought against you. If so, please provide all material facts and an explanation of the circumstances.
Yes
No
Required field

3. Have you been discharged or dismissed from the armed forces, other than by honorable discharge, or sentenced in a court-martial proceeding?
Yes
No

re: #2: you have definitely been charged with an offense. I would put it here, or in a similarly worded question. Maybe work it in to #3, but by definition an article 15 is not a court-martial, so doesn't seem to fit.

Basically, this is a non-issue, just find the best place on your ap to disclose and hope for the best.

Thank you, do you think any of this is grounds for 100% C&F rejection?

Dan0504 wrote:Thank you, do you think any of this is grounds for 100% C&F rejection?

Nah, I think it's no big deal as long as you disclose. Write a short explanation (I was young and dumb) and you should be good.

Taking the LSAT in June with that PT score and/or attending the schools you listed without a full scholarship would be far more detrimental to your legal career than these offenses.

Edit

Dan0504 wrote:Thank you, do you think any of this is grounds for 100% C&F rejection?

you'd be c/o 2019 which would put almost nine years behind your most recent offense when the bar's looking at it

i would maybe wait (a concededly arbitrary) one more year

WokeUpInACar wrote:Taking the LSAT in June with that PT score and/or attending the schools you listed without a full scholarship would be far more detrimental to your legal career than these offenses.

OP, you should definitely undoubtedly retake the LSAT. You'll probably need a stronger application than most because of your past C&F issues. I also don't know about any GI Bill you may have or other means of assistance, but you'd definitely need a really large scholarship from basically only UF/FSU while being from Florida to make it worth it. I wouldn't go to any of the other schools. I do think saying that going to UF/FSU as a FL resident without a full scholarship is more detrimental than multiple C&F violations is unnecessary hyperbole.

Dan0504 wrote:

WokeUpInACar wrote:Taking the LSAT in June with that PT score and/or attending the schools you listed without a full scholarship would be far more detrimental to your legal career than these offenses.

The cost of attendance is not an issue for me, I just want to study law and Im prepared to go anywhere that will take me.

Also I have been doing LSAT work since April, I have improved from a 148 to a 155/157, I may add a few points in the next 2 weeks but I'm content with my preparation and PT scores.

you shouldn't be content with your PT scores

they're not good enough to be content with

even if you're gunning for FSU/UF, your past history suggests a pattern of very poor decisions and I'm sure adcomms will be hesitant to admit you without some "wow" factor in your application and unfortunately, military service just doesn't do that

You really need to retake

{EDIT}

runinthefront wrote:

Dan0504 wrote:Thank you, do you think any of this is grounds for 100% C&F rejection?

you'd be c/o 2019 which would put almost nine years behind your most recent offense when the bar's looking at it

i would maybe wait (a concededly arbitrary) one more year

WokeUpInACar wrote:Taking the LSAT in June with that PT score and/or attending the schools you listed without a full scholarship would be far more detrimental to your legal career than these offenses.

OP, you should definitely undoubtedly retake the LSAT. You'll probably need a stronger application than most because of your past C&F issues. I also don't know about any GI Bill you may have or other means of assistance, but you'd definitely need a really large scholarship from basically only UF/FSU while being from Florida to make it worth it. I wouldn't go to any of the other schools. I do think saying that going to UF/FSU as a FL resident without a full scholarship is more detrimental than multiple C&F violations is unnecessary hyperbole.

This is nonsense. He has two marijuana incidents and an acquittal for a more serious crime. Literally no actual criminal convictions as an adult. As long as he discloses this really won't be a problem. Also another year would do absolutely nothing on the C&F front.

Dan0504 wrote:

runinthefront wrote:

Dan0504 wrote:

WokeUpInACar wrote:Taking the LSAT in June with that PT score and/or attending the schools you listed without a full scholarship would be far more detrimental to your legal career than these offenses.

The cost of attendance is not an issue for me, I just want to study law and Im prepared to go anywhere that will take me.

Also I have been doing LSAT work since April, I have improved from a 148 to a 155/157, I may add a few points in the next 2 weeks but I'm content with my preparation and PT scores.

you shouldn't be content with your PT scores

they're not good enough to be content with

even if you're gunning for FSU/UF, your past history suggests a pattern of very poor decisions and I'm sure adcomms will be hesitant to admit you without some "wow" factor in your application and unfortunately, military service just doesn't do that

You really need to retake

Thank you, I will still take June 8th for the experience, and retake in October to try and max out my score.

What do you mean by "wow factor"? I am a decorated Combat Medic, With awards for saving soldiers lives, I am in my honors program, will have a published thesis next semester, I am president of my fraternity, multiple scholarship awards, president's list, dean's list, voluntary community service, and work experience. Should I not be focusing on these attributes.

I did struggled with emotional problems in my adolescence, I made mistakes and I accept them and their consequences. However, I don't want my record from this time period to be what defines me as an applicant.

That time period won't define you as an applicant. You know what will define 50%+ of your application? Your LSAT score. Sadly, it is more important than all of those impressive soft factors you listed combined. Don't waste all the achievements you've made because you aren't willing to fully commit to this learnable test. You need to take it 3 times, and the first time should not be a planned "mulligan." You need to be absolutely prepared the first time you take it, because even if you are PTing well, shit can happen on test day.

Alright, point taken. I have to be honest and admit I didn't really see myself scoring above a 165. Is everyone suggesting that a 170+ is an obtainable goal?

Dan0504 wrote:Alright, point taken. I have to be honest and admit I didn't really see myself scoring above a 165. Is everyone suggesting that a 170+ is an obtainable goal.

There is a HUGE difference between 157 and 165. I don't think 170 is attainable for EVERYONE, but I think 165+ is attainable for most people. A month of study really isn't that much at all. I probably put legitimately 400 hours into studying for the LSAT and still don't think I completely maximized my potential.

Dan0504 wrote:

WokeUpInACar wrote:Taking the LSAT in June with that PT score and/or attending the schools you listed without a full scholarship would be far more detrimental to your legal career than these offenses.

The cost of attendance is not an issue for me, I just want to study law and Im prepared to go anywhere that will take me.

Also I have been doing LSAT work since April, I have improved from a 148 to a 155/157, I may add a few points in the next 2 weeks but I'm content with my preparation and PT scores.

Yeah, that's like...nothing man. Poke around this board for a bit, lots of good information out there,

{EDIT}

Dan0504 wrote:Well I got a 161... Should be good for most florida schools

Great attitude bro, you'll go far.

edit

Dan0504 wrote:edit

Why did you necro this two year old thread today, OP?
How are you doing? Are you in law school or still hoping to go?

stego wrote:

Dan0504 wrote:edit

Why did you necro this two year old thread today, OP?
How are you doing? Are you in law school or still hoping to go?

Doing well in law school, and enjoying my summer internship. I had just posted a little too much personal information. Trying to clean it up a bit!

stego wrote:

Dan0504 wrote:edit

Why did you necro this two year old thread today, OP?
How are you doing? Are you in law school or still hoping to go?

From the looks of it, currently a rising 2L at Miami doing unpaid internship at NASA. Space law ftw.

UVA2B wrote:

stego wrote:

Dan0504 wrote:edit

Why did you necro this two year old thread today, OP?
How are you doing? Are you in law school or still hoping to go?

From the looks of it, currently a rising 2L at Miami doing unpaid internship at NASA. Space law ftw.

Exactly why I should be more careful about what I put on the internet.

Dan0504 wrote:

UVA2B wrote:

stego wrote:

Dan0504 wrote:edit

Why did you necro this two year old thread today, OP?
How are you doing? Are you in law school or still hoping to go?

From the looks of it, currently a rising 2L at Miami doing unpaid internship at NASA. Space law ftw.

Exactly why I should be more careful about what I put on the internet.

I agree, but you literally started a thread opening yourself to questions as an unpaid intern at NASA. What did you think you were providing that was unique to the average federal unpaid internship? Should I tell my roommate to start a "I'm in the DOJ Civil division, AMA!" followed by virtually zero understanding of what the agency does and why he can't provide insight into becoming an attorney working for the DOJ? I understand you protecting your image (poorly, since there was pretty excessive quoting in your choosing thread, but I won't challenge that), but you created an entire thread based on having literally a month of being an intern as an unpaid internship. If you don't realize you're valueless and not able to answer questions, no one can help you.

UVA2B wrote:I agree, but you literally started a thread opening yourself to questions as an unpaid intern at NASA. What did you think you were providing that was unique to the average federal unpaid internship? Should I tell my roommate to start a "I'm in the DOJ Civil division, AMA!" followed by virtually zero understanding of what the agency does and why he can't provide insight into becoming an attorney working for the DOJ? I understand you protecting your image (poorly, since there was pretty excessive quoting in your choosing thread, but I won't challenge that), but you created an entire thread based on having literally a month of being an intern as an unpaid internship. If you don't realize you're valueless and not able to answer questions, no one can help you.

This seemed kind of weirdly mean given that he did answer the questions that were actually asked of him in that thread. Did we need a thread on working an unpaid summer legal internship at NASA? No, but it's not like I wasted a long time reading it.

stego wrote:

UVA2B wrote:I agree, but you literally started a thread opening yourself to questions as an unpaid intern at NASA. What did you think you were providing that was unique to the average federal unpaid internship? Should I tell my roommate to start a "I'm in the DOJ Civil division, AMA!" followed by virtually zero understanding of what the agency does and why he can't provide insight into becoming an attorney working for the DOJ? I understand you protecting your image (poorly, since there was pretty excessive quoting in your choosing thread, but I won't challenge that), but you created an entire thread based on having literally a month of being an intern as an unpaid internship. If you don't realize you're valueless and not able to answer questions, no one can help you.

This seemed kind of weirdly mean given that he did answer the questions that were actually asked of him in that thread. Did we need a thread on working an unpaid summer legal internship at NASA? No, but it's not like I wasted a long time reading it.

Yeah, it was probably a bit harsh.

I'm sorry Dan, I'll give you the opportunity to be better at this in the future.

UVA2B wrote:

Dan0504 wrote:

UVA2B wrote:

stego wrote:

Dan0504 wrote:edit

Why did you necro this two year old thread today, OP?
How are you doing? Are you in law school or still hoping to go?

From the looks of it, currently a rising 2L at Miami doing unpaid internship at NASA. Space law ftw.

Exactly why I should be more careful about what I put on the internet.

I agree, but you literally started a thread opening yourself to questions as an unpaid intern at NASA. What did you think you were providing that was unique to the average federal unpaid internship? Should I tell my roommate to start a "I'm in the DOJ Civil division, AMA!" followed by virtually zero understanding of what the agency does and why he can't provide insight into becoming an attorney working for the DOJ? I understand you protecting your image (poorly, since there was pretty excessive quoting in your choosing thread, but I won't challenge that), but you created an entire thread based on having literally a month of being an intern as an unpaid internship. If you don't realize you're valueless and not able to answer questions, no one can help you.

dude I was only referencing my C&F post from 2 years ago...

[FYI] I used to come to forums like this and spend hours reading about what certain legal jobs were like, and ask silly questions about being a lawyer. Is that not the whole point of this forum anyways? My only intention was to share what little I know with others who have similar questions or may also aspire to be a lawyer one day. Life is about learning from your mistakes, and helping others grow. Chastising random people on the internet serves no one. I am not remotely embarrassed about posting my internship, and I'm proud of what I have accomplished in my life. The only thing I actually regret is thinking that a law school would care about a minor mistake I made 10 years ago and posting about it...