3.1/159 (twice) UF/retake/or don't go? Forum

[Mr.Scoops]

So, I got in to Florida and am currently considering attending at in-state sticker (22K tuition per year). 3.1 undergrad GPA. Took the LSAT twice and got 159's both times. The first time that was about what I was expecting based off PT's, the second time though it was a disappointing result since most of my PT's were 163-165 and peaked at 167.

I understand TLS is the chorus of "RETAKE" and part of me thinks I should wait another year and give it another go. The other side of me thinks two straight 159's may be sending me a message and my 3.1 GPA puts kind of a cap on how good of a school/how much $$$ I could get anyway.

My goals aren't necessarily big-law, but I also don't want to be in a three person firm practicing out of a strip mall either. I also obviously don't want to be annihilated by debt, but I realize at 22K, in state UF sticker is basically the equivalent of 50% scholly at privates and out of state publics.

I guess my question is two fold:

Should I attend?

and

If I retook the LSAT and got in the 163-165 range like I was scoring on PT's, how much better of a school could I get? I know T-14 is out of the question, so I'm not sure a "better" (higher US News rank) regional school would be worth the likely increase in debt.

Thank you!

[GnosisExchange]

Post removed.

[Mr.Scoops]

^Florida is my preference.

[Mr.Scoops]

I realize regardless of where I go I would have to put in more effort then what got me a 3.1 gpa. I was a student government kid that put more in to resume lines then academics unfortunately, and while it left me with a pretty sweet resume, it hurt me when it comes to hard numbers.

If my gpa had been ~3.4 or higher I wouldn't even have to think about retaking, obviously.

[hairbear7]

If you really want to practice law in FL retake and then go to UF on a full ride imo.

Edit- GPA will probably hold back a full scholarship but you could still get a sizeable amount which may be worth it to you. Instate tuition at UF isn't bad at all. Just know what the employment numbers are and what you are up against.

[BigZuck]

UF debt financed at instate sticker will set you back about 140K. That's not worth it for what you're buying IMO (more likely to end up at that 3 person strip mall shop than the "not neccessarily big law" outcome you're hoping for).

[lavarman84]

Do you have ties to Florida and any connections to the Florida legal network?

Retaking is probably the better option. A scholarship to UF if you want to practice in Florida would make things a lot better for you. But, FWIW, I've really enjoyed UF law and it's well respected in Florida. UF can be a bit stingy with scholarship money so, as I said, probably best to retake unless you really feel like you can't do better.

Either ways, you can certainly do worse than UF and if you do decide to go, Gainesville is cheap to live in (although I don't like Gainesville) and UF's in-state tuition is very reasonable.

[Chrstgtr]

No.

Only go with huge money, career prospects won't let you pay off your debt in all likelihood.

[Mr.Scoops]

Do you have ties to Florida and any connections to the Florida legal network?

I don't have a job lined up if that's what you mean.

But I do know a good amount of lawyers. My neighbor in Tampa is a big law attorney, I know friends that work in administration for H&K in Tampa, I have some really good networks through doing undergrad/student gov at UF.

No job lined up though.

[Indifference]

Retake. If you are set on UF and you score higher, at least you wouldn't be looking at bad employment prospects AND extra debt/expense.

ETA: Don't mean to come off abrasive, just mean that with a 68% employment rate, you want to minimize spending/debt.

[Mack.Hambleton]

Don't go if you have a decent job