Advice for a new guy.. Forum

[Anderson1]

Hey everyone,

Just wondering if you could all give me a hand with trying to determine my possibilities to get into a school (at least one or two schools). Here's what I got...

GPA 2.5
LSAT: Still need to take

Extracurriculars

Disabled Veteran- United States Air Force
Currently in the Air National Guard
Student Traffic Court
CASA Court Advocate for Children

I know I am not going to a really nice law school but I would like to at least get into a place somewhere in Baltimore or Washington D.C. where I will be stationed at next year.

Thanks everyone, good luck those applying this year!

Sgt Anderson

[lymenheimer]

Can't tell you much of anything without an LSAT score.

[Anderson1]

True I still need to take it, but I figured since I am a veteran and current Air National Guard member that it would help out a lot. I still have all of my educational benefits to use (Post 9/11 and Voc Rehab benefits). That way those schools know that they will get guaranteed money and I won't have to take out 100k in loans like some people that go to those Ivy Leagues.

[emkay625]

True I still need to take it, but I figured since I am a veteran and current Air National Guard member that it would help out a lot. I still have all of my educational benefits to use (Post 9/11 and Voc Rehab benefits). That way those schools know that they will get guaranteed money and I won't have to take out 100k in loans like some people that go to those Ivy Leagues.

Your military service will be a plus factor, but the LSAT is the most important factor in law school admissions, even for people with great soft factors such as yourself. As a result, it's difficult for us to give advice without an LSAT score. Perhaps take a diagnostic practice LSAT and report back, and then we could be more helpful.

[A. Nony Mouse]

The 100k loans are guaranteed for the schools, too - I don't think they care where your tuition money comes from.

Being a veteran is usually well-regarded but you will want to get as high an LSAT as possible to counter your GPA. Until you have a score it will be very difficult to evaluate you.

Even with a terrible LSAT you will probably find some school to accept you, but it will likely not be a school worth attending, based on the job prospects it offers. What kind of law do you want to practice?

[legit]

Here's a sample LSAT for you to take: http://www.lsac.org/docs/default-source ... ptjune.pdf

Also thank you for your service.

[Anderson1]

Thank you all for your advice and for thanking me for serving, I really appreciate the kind words and enjoy doing it for protecting America. I guess that LSAT is my next big obstacle like most people so I guess I should start shifting my time and focus towards that beast lol..

[Anderson1]

The 100k loans are guaranteed for the schools, too - I don't think they care where your tuition money comes from.

Being a veteran is usually well-regarded but you will want to get as high an LSAT as possible to counter your GPA. Until you have a score it will be very difficult to evaluate you.

Even with a terrible LSAT you will probably find some school to accept you, but it will likely not be a school worth attending, based on the job prospects it offers. What kind of law do you want to practice?

To be honest I am not really certain what type of law to practice. I am still doing some research on what seems most appeasing to my interests. I would like to continue working for the military with my J.D.

[TheSpanishMain]

As people have said, no one can really tell you much without an LSAT score. I'd also do a lot of research into different areas of law, the availability of jobs in those areas, determine where you'd like to live, etc. Despite being a vet, your GPA is really going to hold you back, even if you crush the LSAT. I'm not saying you can't overcome it, but you should be aware of that going in.

[Anderson1]

As people have said, no one can really tell you much without an LSAT score. I'd also do a lot of research into different areas of law, the availability of jobs in those areas, determine where you'd like to live, etc. Despite being a vet, your GPA is really going to hold you back, even if you crush the LSAT. I'm not saying you can't overcome it, but you should be aware of that going in.

I'm not looking for a T14 school, just a place that will take me. The military is paying for all of it and I can secure a job once I graduate so it really doesn't matter where I go.

[pancakes3]

I can secure a job once I graduate so it really doesn't matter where I go.

elaborate

[TheSpanishMain]

As people have said, no one can really tell you much without an LSAT score. I'd also do a lot of research into different areas of law, the availability of jobs in those areas, determine where you'd like to live, etc. Despite being a vet, your GPA is really going to hold you back, even if you crush the LSAT. I'm not saying you can't overcome it, but you should be aware of that going in.

I'm not looking for a T14 school, just a place that will take me. The military is paying for all of it and I can secure a job once I graduate so it really doesn't matter where I go.

You have a guaranteed job? It sounded like you were still researching stuff.

Also, you mentioned being stationed in the DC area next year. Are you a full-time reservist? If so, I assume you'll be looking at part time programs?

[Anderson1]

As people have said, no one can really tell you much without an LSAT score. I'd also do a lot of research into different areas of law, the availability of jobs in those areas, determine where you'd like to live, etc. Despite being a vet, your GPA is really going to hold you back, even if you crush the LSAT. I'm not saying you can't overcome it, but you should be aware of that going in.

I'm not looking for a T14 school, just a place that will take me. The military is paying for all of it and I can secure a job once I graduate so it really doesn't matter where I go.

You have a guaranteed job? It sounded like you were still researching stuff.

Also, you mentioned being stationed in the DC area next year. Are you a full-time reservist? If so, I assume you'll be looking at part time programs?

Yes I would have to drill one time per month, I can do a full time program though because of the extra benefits I have acquired from my service.

[Anderson1]

I can secure a job once I graduate so it really doesn't matter where I go.

elaborate

With my connections I have developed over the years I could go to Willy Wonka School of Law and still work for the government. So I really don't care about the big name schools..

[TheSpanishMain]

I can secure a job once I graduate so it really doesn't matter where I go.

elaborate

With my connections I have developed over the years I could go to Willy Wonka School of Law and still work for the government. So I really don't care about the big name schools..

I'm a veteran as well, with an Iraq deployment under my belt and some experience working for the federal government as a civilian. I'm a 2L, but I have a pretty decent sense of federal hiring and JAG accessions. This sounds fishy to me. I'd be very skeptical of anyone who is promising they can get you a federal job as an attorney no problem. Federal legal jobs are pretty highly sought after, and even most people seeking them from the T14 don't make it.

I'm not saying you're lying or anything. Just saying be skeptical.

Anyway, assuming you really do have some kind of rock-solid guarantee of a federal job after graduation (again, I'm kind of dubious, but just for the sake of argument) then yeah, do whatever. Go to the University of the District of Columbia. It's a crap-fest, but if you're going for free and have a guaranteed job, so what?

[Anderson1]

I can secure a job once I graduate so it really doesn't matter where I go.

elaborate

With my connections I have developed over the years I could go to Willy Wonka School of Law and still work for the government. So I really don't care about the big name schools..

I'm a veteran as well, with an Iraq deployment under my belt and some experience working for the federal government as a civilian. I'm a 2L, but I have a pretty decent sense of federal hiring and JAG accessions. This sounds fishy to me. I'd be very skeptical of anyone who is promising they can get you a federal job as an attorney no problem. Federal legal jobs are pretty highly sought after, and even most people seeking them from the T14 don't make it.

I'm not saying you're lying or anything. Just saying be skeptical.

Anyway, assuming you really do have some kind of rock-solid guarantee of a federal job after graduation (again, I'm kind of dubious, but just for the sake of argument) then yeah, do whatever. Go to the University of the District of Columbia. It's a crap-fest, but if you're going for free and have a guaranteed job, so what?

Is it a tough place to get into? I'd definitely like to PM you sometime because to be honest I don't have a mentor or anything and I am doing this on my own.

[TheSpanishMain]

I can secure a job once I graduate so it really doesn't matter where I go.

elaborate

With my connections I have developed over the years I could go to Willy Wonka School of Law and still work for the government. So I really don't care about the big name schools..

I'm a veteran as well, with an Iraq deployment under my belt and some experience working for the federal government as a civilian. I'm a 2L, but I have a pretty decent sense of federal hiring and JAG accessions. This sounds fishy to me. I'd be very skeptical of anyone who is promising they can get you a federal job as an attorney no problem. Federal legal jobs are pretty highly sought after, and even most people seeking them from the T14 don't make it.

I'm not saying you're lying or anything. Just saying be skeptical.

Anyway, assuming you really do have some kind of rock-solid guarantee of a federal job after graduation (again, I'm kind of dubious, but just for the sake of argument) then yeah, do whatever. Go to the University of the District of Columbia. It's a crap-fest, but if you're going for free and have a guaranteed job, so what?

Is it a tough place to get into? I'd definitely like to PM you sometime because to be honest I don't have a mentor or anything and I am doing this on my own.

Nope. But about a quarter of the class actually ends up employed as attorneys. It's essentially a scam. But could you elaborate on these connections you have? And what area of government work this person could put you in? I'm just curious.