bouquetofcringe wrote: ↑Fri Nov 13, 2020 1:15 am
crazywafflez wrote: ↑Tue Nov 10, 2020 8:19 am
I know it is tough to hear, but you'll need to retake to get any of these schools most likely. You have a stellar GPA. If you retake and get a 167+ you are getting into these schools and scholarships at some of them.
What are your goals? Biglaw? Public interest? This could determine a good range/score for you. Are you geographically flexible or you looking to go to Cali? A 159 bars you from most of these schools, and even if you got in you'd be going hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt.
You really need to retake and reapply. Sit out the cycle and see how things go if your LSAT does not improve; retake it in Feb and reapply next September/October.
I sat out a cycle and reapplied this year, at this point I took the test 5 times though the two LSAT flexes over the summer didn't count to my limit. I was getting into the 164-165s during my timed PTs and 174 after blind review, however I experienced so many proctor connection issues from the July LSAT flex-November LSAT flex and during my November LSAT in 2019 my proctor was almost kicked out by campus security and uploaded the wrong test onto half of the takers tablets. This really aggravated my test taking anxiety so unfortunately I feel like I have to go with the 159 and maybe ED BU? I am in Cali currently, but not looking to stay here. I am interested in Health Law.
If you must go to law school, and I really sincerely encourage you not to go unless you retake and reapply, you need to apply to a state flagship school in the state/region you want to be in. I would be comfortable graduating with 45-75k debtish from Indiana, Iowa, OSU, ASU, UNC, etc. If Cali is where you want to be try for UCI, UCD, or maybe even UCH (although, I've heard not so great things about this school), and see what you can get. If you are targeting NE, maybe U of Conn or Northeastern for a really good package or something.
You really can't go to BU and take out 200+k- the only way to pay that off is biglaw, and it'll be really hard to clench from a school like BU/BC. BU/BC are great schools, for the right price. I'd maybe even seriously consider them even for slightly more than 75k total COA if I were set on Boston.
I go to a T1 myself and will graduate with about 60k in debt. I'm not a T14 ride or die. That said, my outcome has been better than most of my peers, I won't be making six figures, but I've got a good offer post grad. Even some of my LR friends struck out at biglaw and my school's stats are comparable to BC/BU (albeit, slightly worse). I'd say half my friends have no option at all and are hoping once they pass the bar they'll get something.
I'd seriously consider retaking/reapplying. If you must go, go to a decent state school or something on the cheap that keeps your debt load below 70k or something.
https://www.lstreports.com/schools/bu/
BU has great stats for a T1- but still 10-20% of the class don't get jobs at all. About 40% get biglaw and presumably, they are all near the top of their class or have connections.
If BU's ED gives a full scholarship, or if you have folks to live with in Boston, maybe you can reconsider, but 200k or more, cost of living, tuition, etc., it is just absurd, and you've got more than a coin flips chance of striking out.
I'm sure you know all of this. I know it feels shitty to wait, I personally ignored the advice on this forum and didn't retake; I really wish I had. I partially listened and didn't go for sticker price to a T20, and instead took the near fullride at the T1 in my region. I got lucky. Most of my friends however did not. Many will be graduating over 120k+ in debt and be working at the local small shops making 50-70k. Some will strike out entirely.
I hope you make the decision that is best for you.