Top Law Schools

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I think you have a decent chance at FSU probably 50/50. Slightly less of a chance at UF.

Chances are middling-to-low with your current score. Your best plan of action is to not go to either of these schools at sticker price.

cavalier1138 wrote:Chances are middling-to-low with your current score. Your best plan of action is to not go to either of these schools at sticker price.

Its cheaper to go to either one of those at sticker than other instate schools with anything other than 50% scholarship and they are significantly better schools, I was more looking for admissions advice, thanks though.

Atm94 wrote:

cavalier1138 wrote:Chances are middling-to-low with your current score. Your best plan of action is to not go to either of these schools at sticker price.

Its cheaper to go to either one of those at sticker than other instate schools with anything other than 50% scholarship and they are significantly better schools, I was more looking for admissions advice, thanks though.

Again, that is my admissions advice: do not go to either of these schools at sticker.

Surprised to read that Florida reported an acceptance rate of 62% for 2015.

OP: If you can offer a reasonable explanation for your GPA, then you should be admitted to both schools. If not, then at least one acceptance is likely.

OP is at Median for both schools for LSAT... I think he/she has a solid shot with a good GPA explanation.... I have a low GPA too, but it was a military academy where inflation does not exist

Your chances are decent at UF/FSU, per the above. But what cavalier is mentioning in saying don't attend either at sticker is that these are not good value investments. Unless you have someone paying for it (parents, gov't, tooth fairy, etc.), you're still looking at substantial debt that will be difficult to service with the types of outcomes that are likely from UF/FSU. They are the best bets in FL to be sure, but that doesn't make them good investments at full price. It's incredibly risky financially.

What are your goals with this degree? Would you consider retaking the LSAT to improve chances of a scholarship? If you are able to defray the cost of UF/FSU and you want smaller firm/government work in Florida, they could be great for you. But full price debt-serviced for those outcomes could be financially ruinous.

Let me also add:

Dude...do you have ties to FL?? Like, did you go to High School or (preferably and) UG in FL?

Quite frankly, FL's legal market is uniquely insular--right up there with Seattle and Louisiana for well-publicized on TLS as being tough to find employment without long-term connections to the area. Not saying you're automatically going to be unemployed if you present yourself as, solely, a UF/FSU Law grad, but it'll be much MUCH harder than some kid who went to West Orange High School and put in four years in Gainesville.

Point being, make sure you're sure as shit UF/FSU are for you (and certainly don't make the mistake of going at sticker--just, yuck)

KPUSN07 wrote:OP is at Median for both schools for LSAT... I think he/she has a solid shot with a good GPA explanation.... I have a low GPA too, but it was a military academy where inflation does not exist

I've got a decent addendum, which ties in with my Personal statement, good Letters of Recs as well.

ponderingmeerkat wrote:Let me also add:

Dude...do you have ties to FL?? Like, did you go to High School or (preferably and) UG in FL?

Quite frankly, FL's legal market is uniquely insular--right up there with Seattle and Louisiana for well-publicized on TLS as being tough to find employment without long-term connections to the area. Not saying you're automatically going to be unemployed if you present yourself as, solely, a UF/FSU Law grad, but it'll be much MUCH harder than some kid who went to West Orange High School and put in four years in Gainesville.

Point being, make sure you're sure as shit UF/FSU are for you (and certainly don't make the mistake of going at sticker--just, yuck)

My whole life has been spent in Florida, many close family friends practice law and I attend one of the two (FSU/UF) for UG so I've spent plenty of time here as well. Its not one of those "OH DISNEY WORLD HERE WE COME" sort of deals. Its been my dream since I was in kindergarten to attend Levin or FSU College of Law and practice in my hometown.

UVA2B wrote:
Your chances are decent at UF/FSU, per the above. But what cavalier is mentioning in saying don't attend either at sticker is that these are not good value investments. Unless you have someone paying for it (parents, gov't, tooth fairy, etc.), you're still looking at substantial debt that will be difficult to service with the types of outcomes that are likely from UF/FSU. They are the best bets in FL to be sure, but that doesn't make them good investments at full price. It's incredibly risky financially.

What are your goals with this degree? Would you consider retaking the LSAT to improve chances of a scholarship? If you are able to defray the cost of UF/FSU and you want smaller firm/government work in Florida, they could be great for you. But full price debt-serviced for those outcomes could be financially ruinous.

My goals with the degree are private practice -- not sure 100% what yet-- Would like to end up in elected office or become a Judge at some point as well.

The main point was getting into one if not both, the rest I can work with.

Atm94 wrote: My goals with the degree are private practice -- not sure 100% what yet-- Would like to end up in elected office or become a Judge at some point as well.

Just to head this off at the pass: if your ultimate goal is elected office (yes, I noticed how you buried it in there), then you shouldn't be going to law school at all. And "private practice" is overly broad. Are you referring to solo practice? Small firm? Big firm?

cavalier1138 wrote:

Atm94 wrote: My goals with the degree are private practice -- not sure 100% what yet-- Would like to end up in elected office or become a Judge at some point as well.

Just to head this off at the pass: if your ultimate goal is elected office (yes, I noticed how you buried it in there), then you shouldn't be going to law school at all. And "private practice" is overly broad. Are you referring to solo practice? Small firm? Big firm?

only $40k of debt, fuck it, i'd get a useless law degree in a quest to hold office

HennessyVSOP wrote:

cavalier1138 wrote:

Atm94 wrote: My goals with the degree are private practice -- not sure 100% what yet-- Would like to end up in elected office or become a Judge at some point as well.

Just to head this off at the pass: if your ultimate goal is elected office (yes, I noticed how you buried it in there), then you shouldn't be going to law school at all. And "private practice" is overly broad. Are you referring to solo practice? Small firm? Big firm?

only $40k of debt, fuck it, i'd get a useless law degree in a quest to hold office

Private practice -- small to midsize firms, not interested in big law at all. Type of law I'm not 100% sure I've got a few areas of interest but nothing that would require me to go to a school that specialized in that kind of law (if that makes sense). Elected official stuff is way down the road or small town stuff-- not trying to get a law degree and become president.

Atm94 wrote: Private practice -- small to midsize firms, not interested in big law at all. Type of law I'm not 100% sure I've got a few areas of interest but nothing that would require me to go to a school that specialized in that kind of law (if that makes sense). Elected official stuff is way down the road or small town stuff-- not trying to get a law degree and become president.

this is cool, i fuck with it

well realistically you should just retake to the LSAT to get a +165 (hoping that's what your February score is), and then have a better shot at getting money for UF and FSU

im not gonna pry, but the money for school gotta come from somewhere, and it's better to come from the university pockets than a relative/friend/fund/etc. A high LSAT would put you in line for some $$ from FSU.

HennessyVSOP wrote:

Atm94 wrote: Private practice -- small to midsize firms, not interested in big law at all. Type of law I'm not 100% sure I've got a few areas of interest but nothing that would require me to go to a school that specialized in that kind of law (if that makes sense). Elected official stuff is way down the road or small town stuff-- not trying to get a law degree and become president.

this is cool, i fuck with it

well realistically you should just retake to the LSAT to get a +165 (hoping that's what your February score is), and then have a better shot at getting money for UF and FSU

im not gonna pry, but the money for school gotta come from somewhere, and it's better to come from the university pockets than a relative/friend/fund/etc. A high LSAT would put you in line for some $$ from FSU.

Yeah I put myself behind the curve by not starting LSAT earlier, Im hoping with maybe even a +1 from feb but again just assuming I didn't improve for arguments sake.

Yeah scholarship money would be nice because thats more money in my pocket (or not out of my pocket) -- but like I said I just wanna be in the door, whatever comes after is just icing.

I have similar stats and got in to UF with a huge scholly. You might as well apply. If you're a florida resident the scholarship is tied to in-state tuition and brings the cost down even lower.

jag13 wrote:I have similar stats and got in to UF with a huge scholly. You might as well apply. If you're a florida resident the scholarship is tied to in-state tuition and brings the cost down even lower.

I just brought my LSAT score up today with the Feb test so I'm confident ill atleast get in but nothing is promised-- (162 is the new score)

Atm94 wrote:

jag13 wrote:I have similar stats and got in to UF with a huge scholly. You might as well apply. If you're a florida resident the scholarship is tied to in-state tuition and brings the cost down even lower.

I just brought my LSAT score up today with the Feb test so I'm confident ill atleast get in but nothing is promised-- (162 is the new score)

With a 162 you should be in at UF and FSU. UF raised their LSAT median significantly last year from a 157 to a 160 and I think their dean wants to keep that trend going. One way they did it last year was by giving a lot of scholarship money out so hopefully you benefit as you are now higher than their 75th percentile last year.