Low GPA & LSAT w/ Master's Degree - Who's in My League? Forum

[EJlaw2016]

- Bachelor's in Health Sciences - Local commuter university (LSAC GPA: 3.14)
- Master's in Public Health - Top 12 Program (GPA: 3.72)
- December 2015 LSAT - 141 (Retaking in February - practice tests were 148-150)
- Current AmeriCorps VISTA
- Environmental justice practicum experience
- Pursuing public interest/environmental law
- First-generation college graduate
- Non-Hispanic white male

My realistic ambitions are Maryland, Miami, or Pitt, though, with this recent LSAT score, I'm concerned that my fail-safe, Wayne State, will not even accept me. Any productive input would be appreciated. Thank you!

[BasilHallward]

Retaking is the right answer and you are smart for doing this. However, with your practice tests, you need to scour these forums and shoot for a 160+ if you want a decent shot at going to a decent school with $$$. If you have a Master's in Public Health from such a well-recognized program, how do you not have prospects in this field??? Law school, at the schools you are looking at, is a very dangerous proposition that could be financially ruinous. Law school is not the answer to solving the uncertainty of job hunting.

[EJlaw2016]

Retaking is the right answer and you are smart for doing this. However, with your practice tests, you need to scour these forums and shoot for a 160+ if you want a decent shot at going to a decent school with $$$. If you have a Master's in Public Health from such a well-recognized program, how do you not have prospects in this field??? Law school, at the schools you are looking at, is a very dangerous proposition that could be financially ruinous. Law school is not the answer to solving the uncertainty of job hunting.

Thank you, BasilHallward, for your cordial line of inquiry. I attended graduate school in the South, but fulfilled my practicum experience back home. Unfortunately, the MPH program in my home state is one of the best in the country, so they have a better professional network. The reason I favor these three schools specifically is because of their environmental law concentration/program. I understand these schools have more regional clout, but I don't see myself getting into a better school. As for finances, I planned to pursue a LRAP which similar to Public Service Loan Forgiveness, my current financial outlet. Any further input is certainly welcomed.

[BasilHallward]

With all due respect, you need to "see yourself getting into better schools." It's a lot easier to crank out a better LSAT score than undertake the uncertain task of killing it during law school. I don't know much (I am a 1L at UT) but I do know that going to law school for niche programs is not viable. Go to the BEST school you can at a reasonable price because the schools you are considering will not yield a decent outcome unless you CRUSH it during law school, which is somewhat dependent on luck and your ability to do well on a law school exam. The LSAT is learnable. Don't make excuses.