Waitlisted by 5 schools, hoping to be accepted Forum

[jameswellcome]

I recently graduated with honors from a small state school in Minnesota with a BA in Law & Society and Political Science, and I am currently on the waitlists at 5 schools, with George Mason being my top choice. I was rejected by three other schools, and I have not been admitted by any schools so far. I applied late; all my applications were sent in the last part of February (pre-COVID).

1. George Mason
2. Arizona State
3. University of Colorado
4. Indiana (Maurer)
5. Gonzaga

Current Stats:
White male
Age: 25
GPA: 3.90
LSAT: 149 ( I wrote a lengthy addendum)
Nothing damming on my c and f

Softs: 3 years in the Army National Guard (enlisted)
Lots of work experience, including 3 years in the trades (plumbing and gasfitting)
Internship at the County Attorneys Office in my college town

I am trying to avoid a gap year at all costs, as studying for the LSAT makes me want to pull my hair out. My score of 149 was achieved without much studying for the games section. So, I probably only got about 6 questions right in that section. My test was undisclosed.

I sent letters of continued interest to all schools except Indiana, as they specifically requested that waitlisted applicants refrain from sending letters of continued interest unless directed to do so. I also attached a copy of my senior thesis because it was done on a legal topic (presidential power). I think it turned out pretty good so I figured it couldn't hurt.

George Mason invited me to participate in their PAST program, which is basically a screening program that will last two weeks. We will be meeting in a classroom-type setting for two hours per weeknight, and there will be reading and writing assignments, and also a final exam at the end. There will be about 10-15 people besides myself, and some who do well will be accepted into the school. I am hopeful that I will excel in this setting. Admittance is also dependant on the number of seats available. If I don't get in, I will remain on the waitlist. This program runs roughly from 15 June to 30 June.

I was sent another email from Arizona State. The email contained a form in which I indicated that I was still interested in attending their school. Also, the email said they may be extending a number of offers soon. That was around 15 May.

I have heard nothing from Indiana, other than an email letting me know they received my new address.

I was placed on the priority waitlist by Colorado. They sent an email not long ago saying that they had reviewed all applications and that now people would be admitted off the waitlist on a rolling basis.

Sorry for the rambling, but it has been a crazy time to go through the law school admissions process. This, compounded with the uncertainty brought on by COVID has been stressing me out, to say the least. I am currently employed as a liquor store clerk in my college town, while I remain in limbo amidst a tight job market for recent grads. I am thinking the law school admissions game will be a lot tougher next cycle, as there will probably be an influx of applicants. I know I could holdout for a year and channel my energy into improving my LSAT score, but I am kind of banking on getting accepted into one of the five schools.

So, does anyone have experience with the PAST program or some other type of screening program? Also, what have your experiences been with the waitlist? And lastly, is a year off really advisable in this tumultuous economy? If I take a year off I can make good money by temporarily returning to the construction industry, but I worry about losing my intellectual edge; moreover, I think experience in a legal setting may outweigh the short term monetary benefits of returning to the blue-collar trades. And I have found that the job market for recent grads is dubious at best.

Thanks for reading and I appreciate any feedback!
James

[cavalier1138]

You aren't getting into any of these with your current LSAT (and you're wasting a perfectly good GPA in the process). Programs that offer the chance to essentially "study in" to the program by taking a pseudo-class are scams, so don't do that either.

You left points on the table (a lot of them) by not learning logic games. Unlike the other sections, which require some level of subjective judgment, every question in the games section has an objectively right answer. Once you get familiar with it, there's no reason you shouldn't be acing it every time.

But the reasoning below is unfathomable to me:

And lastly, is a year off really advisable in this tumultuous economy? If I take a year off I can make good money by temporarily returning to the construction industry, but I worry about losing my intellectual edge; moreover, I think experience in a legal setting may outweigh the short term monetary benefits of returning to the blue-collar trades. And I have found that the job market for recent grads is dubious at best.

If you know you can get a job in construction, then the state of the job market doesn't matter to you. And you cannot lose your intellect by doing a non-legal (or non-office) job for any amount of time. You can, on the other hand, miss out on several hundred thousand dollars by rushing the decision to go to law school.

Take the year. Retake the LSAT. Reapply. And take that time to figure out what you want to do; your school list is all over the place.

[nixy]

Yes, a year off is advisable. Take a year, make money working construction, and study for the damn test. You’re leaving points on the table and your GPA is excellent - you can do MUCH better. Losing your intellectual edge in a year isn’t a thing. It’s just not. You may end up finding other things to do than go to law school, but that’s a perfectly good outcome to waiting another year. You can also then send in applications much earlier which will help you, too.

[jameswellcome]

Thanks for the responses. I already sent in the money and the forms to complete the PAST program at George Mason, so I am going to at least do that and see what happens. My guess is that if I am admitted, I will be paying sticker price, which might not be worth it. I like that George Mason has a good national security law program though. I am looking to get a job in government or in a big firm out of law school.

But say I take the year off and only focus on bumping up my LSAT score. Would I have a chance at a T14 if I got a 160? Or say I reapply to George Mason would I get better scholarship offers? Also, could I just keep all other elements of my application the same? It seems like my LSAT score was below the median at all schools I applied to, so I figured getting waitlisted was better than getting outright rejected.

[cavalier1138]

I already sent in the money and the forms to complete the PAST program at George Mason, so I am going to at least do that and see what happens. My guess is that if I am admitted, I will be paying sticker price, which might not be worth it.

It won't be, and if you can get your money back, you should.

I am looking to get a job in government or in a big firm out of law school.

Then don't go to any of these schools (unless "government" includes state/local government jobs). Retake the LSAT for a score that will get you into a T13. And no, a 160 won't do it.