Law School? Such a waste of a fine mind. Surely you can find something better then becoming a Lawyer...like trying to invent a better lawnmower or, well anything really.
See if the McDonalds down the block is hiring - sure it does not pay much but at least you'll have your pride.
....
Congrats on getting through your LSATs btw.
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Okay, this is mostly for teachers and lawyers. I just got my LSAT score and it's ** spoiler omitted ** Please recomend some high quality schools that I can get into with that score. I have limited funds so I'm looking for good schools to apply to that I have the best chance of getting into.
I'm a Canuck so I can't recommend any American schools. Congratulations on writing and doing well on the LSAT. Law school is a lot of fun.
Most law schools use an index formula to help determine whether you get in or not. The index is a number derived from your LSAT and GPA Above a certain threshold you get in, below you don't, and between can be discretionary. At U.B.C. where I go the index formula looks like this:
At U.B.C. where I applied the index formula was roughly (CGPA (as a percentage) + (LSAT x .6188)) / 2 I think you need an index score of around 90-91 to get in. I think the mean score is about 82% and 164 LSAT.
(Most schools in Canada allow you to drop your worst course, or courses when calculating your average.)
American schools do something similar. The formula will vary from school to school.
Congrats on getting over one of the first bumps David!
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Are you restricted by geography, or are you willing to apply all over the country?
EDIT: Also, congratulations on getting through the LSAT's! The thing I remember most about the day I took them is a girl sobbing in the courtyard on the way out.
I could move if I have to. However, since my wife already has a job here, I'd like something reasonably close. Of course close means any where between Amarillo Texas and L.A. since that is one day's drive for me.
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I could move if I have to. However, since my wife already has a job here, I'd like something reasonably close. Of course close means any where between Ammarillo Texas and L.A. since that is one day's drive for me.Are you restricted by geography, or are you willing to apply all over the country?
EDIT: Also, congratulations on getting through the LSAT's! The thing I remember most about the day I took them is a girl sobbing in the courtyard on the way out.
Congrats on the first step!
Wish I could help on advice, but I'm only familiar with DC area legal programs.|
Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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Okay...
It sounds like your goal is politics and not big law, which is good because the later is much more dependent on good LSAT scores and good law schools than the former. The problem is that your score is solidly in the middle of the pack, law school enrollments are up due to the recession, and you are going to have trouble distinguishing yourself. So, the real answer is that you want to apply to every single solitary accredited law school within a 100 mile radius of your current location and, as a back-up, any unaccredited law schools as well. Unless you have an insane gpa from an ivy league school, you are going to have a hard time getting admission at all.
Now, that said, make sure to figure out the better schools near your home and contact them immediately regarding their transfer procedures. It's not at all uncommon to transfer after your first year to a better law school and that's likely what you want to set yourself up to do.
Then you just need to work your ass off that first year and be in the top 1% of your class to make it a reality.
Good luck. It's a hell of a process.
Depending on admission deadlines you could also retake the LSAT in February.
The first time I wrote the lsat I got
151
The last time I wrote it I got
176
My personal experience was that for me, a month of prep was enough time to do much better. The LSAT is not an IQ test, it can be practiced / learned.
Everyone is different and I'm not trying to knock any preparation you have already done or your score.
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Most of the schools I have looked into the deadline is Feb. 1st.Depending on admission deadlines you could also retake the LSAT in February.
Check the latest LSAT date they will take.
My school has a feb 1st application deadline but will accept a later lsat from February. Little further than a 1 day drive though.
http://www.law.ubc.ca/prospective/jd/faq.html#16
http://www.stcl.edu/admissions/index.html
http://www.law.smu.edu/JDFAQ
Both have an admission date of feb 15 for submitting an application.
http://www.tsulaw.edu/admissions/overview/index.asp
These folks have an april 1st deadline.
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Here are some links to some Orginizations that deal specifically with Politics and Constitutional Laws. I would contact these guys and ask for advice. I personally prefer Liberty Counsel. Since you are in Texas try Patriot Academy they start you out in the state capitol ...try contacting former Texas congresman David Barton or his good friend Rick Green at Wallbuilders.com
Alliance Defense Fund
http://www.alliancedefensefund.org
American Center for Law and Justice
http://www.aclj.org
American Family Association Law Center
http://www.afa.net/clp
Christian Law Association
http://www.christianlaw.org
Liberty Counsel
http://www.lc.org
Liberty Legal Institute
http://www.libertylegal.org
The National Legal Foundation
http://www.nlf.net
Pacific Justice Institute
http://www.pacificjustice.org
Religious Organization Legal Defense Association
http://www.rolda.us
Wallbuilders.com
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University of Houston. Establish residency and it is inexpensive (it seems), and there is always the bonus of getting to game with, well, me!
Oh, and we still have a functioning economy, no state income tax, low cost of living, decent public schools (and better than decent in the 'burbs), and all the perks of big city living without the big city attitude.
:)
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Sorry, that was more directed to the people who were making suggestions based on the idea I was in Texas.To be clear, I'm not in Texas. I currently live in Utah. Ammarillo is just the fartest point that is one day's drive from my home.And? ;)
I dunno, if you can hold off for a year, $470 a semester hour seems inexpensive, and i'll give you a chance to take the LSAT again.
And you get to game with me :)
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Sorry, that was more directed to the people who were making suggestions based on the idea I was in Texas.To be clear, I'm not in Texas. I currently live in Utah. Ammarillo is just the fartest point that is one day's drive from my home.And? ;)I dunno, if you can hold off for a year, $470 a semester hour seems inexpensive, and i'll give you a chance to take the LSAT again.
And you get to game with me :)
I would still need a job during that year.
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I would still need a job during that year.Sorry, that was more directed to the people who were making suggestions based on the idea I was in Texas.To be clear, I'm not in Texas. I currently live in Utah. Ammarillo is just the fartest point that is one day's drive from my home.And? ;)I dunno, if you can hold off for a year, $470 a semester hour seems inexpensive, and i'll give you a chance to take the LSAT again.
And you get to game with me :)
Well, Houston is a bit better positioned to offer one than, say, Minnesota. You teach, we need teachers, HISD teachers make decent dough (@$40k to start, and we have a low cost of living...).
Chapman University School of Law
http://www.chapman.edu/LAW/
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Oh, and we still have a functioning economy, no state income tax, low cost of living, decent public schools (and better than decent in the 'burbs), and all the perks of big city living without the big city attitude.
I visited the city last summer with my girlfriend (she grew up in Houston), wow, talk about hot and humid... how do y'all function in that weather. Still, I do have to say, the food was excellent, especially if one is into asian food. So much better choices than say... DC. *sigh*
Does Houston have a part time law program? That's also another route, work during the day and then evening classes. It can be exhausting to and it takes four years to graduate, but it's an option if the school has it. One thing DC area law schools do have in spades are evening programs.
What about SMU?
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Oh, and we still have a functioning economy, no state income tax, low cost of living, decent public schools (and better than decent in the 'burbs), and all the perks of big city living without the big city attitude.
I visited the city last summer with my girlfriend (she grew up in Houston), wow, talk about hot and humid... how do y'all function in that weather. Still, I do have to say, the food was excellent, especially if one is into asian food. So much better choices than say... DC. *sigh*
Does Houston have a part time law program? That's also another route, work during the day and then evening classes. It can be exhausting to and it takes four years to graduate, but it's an option if the school has it. One thing DC area law schools do have in spades are evening programs.
Hot and humid I can do. I spent two years living in Tennesee, Alabama, and Mississippi riding bikes every where I went. I did work 40 hours a week and pulled a full course load when I did my undergrad work and mantained a 3.87 GPA. Stupid Liturature class disguised as an English class. Stupid shop classes.
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Oh, and we still have a functioning economy, no state income tax, low cost of living, decent public schools (and better than decent in the 'burbs), and all the perks of big city living without the big city attitude.
I visited the city last summer with my girlfriend (she grew up in Houston), wow, talk about hot and humid... how do y'all function in that weather. Still, I do have to say, the food was excellent, especially if one is into asian food. So much better choices than say... DC. *sigh*
Does Houston have a part time law program? That's also another route, work during the day and then evening classes. It can be exhausting to and it takes four years to graduate, but it's an option if the school has it. One thing DC area law schools do have in spades are evening programs.
U of H does have a part time program :)
I did work 40 hours a week and pulled a full course load when I did my undergrad work and mantained a 3.87 GPA. Stupid Liturature class disguised as an English class. Stupid shop classes.
I will say that the problem you may run into is just how competitive law school is. You have to remember that the ABA establishes the mean grade for each class, and the professors are required to meet that. What this means for you is that class rank is very competitive, and what your grade is is largely dependant on how you do in relation to your classmates. Working while they don't can disadvantage you severely.
What Sebastion says about competitiveness for jobs is also true. I went to a regional third tier school, but did fairly well (top 11%), but still didn't land a very high paying job out of law school. I was lucky in that I lived in a low cost area, and found something I love before going into private practice for myself.
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Okay, this is mostly for teachers and lawyers. I just got my LSAT score and it's ** spoiler omitted ** Please recomend some high quality schools that I can get into with that score. I have limited funds so I'm looking for good schools to apply to that I have the best chance of getting into.
Hey there! I'm in the same boat as you! Although my applications are almost out the door.
What locations are you looking into? I would suggest either applying to all of the schools within your location or jump onto the LSAC.org website and start looking through the recommended schools. You have a great score so you'll do fine most definitely.
Glad to see others in my boat hehe!!! I'm located in Seattle WA so I'm naturally applying to the two available to me. UW and SeattleU.
Take care and let us know how you do!
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Hot and humid I can do. I spent two years living in Tennesee, Alabama, and Mississippi riding bikes every where I went. I did work 40 hours a week and pulled a full course load when I did my undergrad work and mantained a 3.87 GPA. Stupid Liturature class disguised as an English class. Stupid shop classes.
David, 3.87 gpa is great! Good work especially with the other things you were doing at the same time. Our scores are nearly identical. How cool. I was fortunate enough to graduate Magna (3.9 gpa) and formed my own business during college. We rule for being able to do both!
Anyhow, I wanted to ask you WHAT your undergrad degree is in? Mine's Criminal Justice, of course. I've been into law for a long time now. Started out in Enforcement type and moved into more of the actual Law type. Just because I realized how much I enjoyed it. How about you? This is a good discussion for me right now. Haha!
Also, I have discussed this with many lawyer friends as well as admissions officers and they weigh heavily on the reason why you want to go to school. I'm going for the public service option because it pays all tuition. I am sure it's going to be competitive to get but it's worth a shot to me. You should look into those types of programs because it would be worth a try to have tuition covered! :o)
I know you're wanting to get into politics but have you ever thought about working as probation officer and slowly work your way up into politics that way? I know several police officers who I have been friends with for years ended up as Sheriff or Mayor. Naturally that's a smaller town type of thing but it could happen!
Can't wait to hear more details!
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Jodi, I got my degree in History with a Political Science minor. MY GPA would have been higher but I enrolled in a CNC Machining program which I was not very good at (too much math) and the two Ds and one F in that class dragged my GPA down. That and a Lit class and one Math class dragged it down as well. Other than that I never got less than a B in a class.
Seattle U is on my list as well. I'm also sending applications to the University of Utah, UNLV, Salem University in Oregan, University of Idaho at Boise, Arizona State, Denver University, Richmond Universty, and University of St. Thomas in Minnisota.
I have actually applied for jobs as a probation officer. Unfortunately, at least here in the town I live in, they only advertise to fulfill a requirement, but have someone picked out for the job before they even begin. In the last five months the three probation officer jobs that came open have been filled by three of the county attorney's brothers.
What kind of law are you considering? I'm looking at either family law or criminal law. I worked with at risk teens at a group home asa teacher and I would really like to work in a field nd at a practice that works with cases like that.
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Jodi, I got my degree in History with a Political Science minor. MY GPA would have been higher but I enrolled in a CNC Machining program which I was not very good at (too much math) and the two Ds and one F in that class dragged my GPA down. That and a Lit class and one Math class dragged it down as well. Other than that I never got less than a B in a class.
Seattle U is on my list as well. I'm also sending applications to the University of Utah, UNLV, Salem University in Oregan, University of Idaho at Boise, Arizona State, Denver University, Richmond Universty, and University of St. Thomas in Minnisota.
I have actually applied for jobs as a probation officer. Unfortunately, at least here in the town I live in, they only advertise to fulfill a requirement, but have someone picked out for the job before they even begin. In the last five months the three probation officer jobs that came open have been filled by three of the county attorney's brothers.
What kind of law are you considering? I'm looking at either family law or criminal law. I worked with at risk teens at a group home asa teacher and I would really like to work in a field nd at a practice that works with cases like that.
Hey, any updates? How did your applications go? If they went well, how's the first set of 1L exams treating you?
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Hey, any updates? How did your applications go? If they went well, how's the first set of 1L exams treating you?
I got into The University of Idaho, and a couple of others as well. I am attending UI and just finished my first semester. Honestly the 1L exams were killer. I am fairly certain that I did good in Property and Civil Procedure, I feel okay about Contracts, and I am pretty sure I bombed my torts exam. Of course I was pretty sure I bombed my Legal Research and Writing assignment as well and ended up getting a B on that, so we will see what happens.
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I found the first set of exams to be the hardest, biggest adjustment in terms of studying, how to answer questions etc...First year in general is the hardest year, it gets easier as you go along. I've also found that how I think I did on an exam has little to no correlation to my results.
You are doing civ pro in first year eh? Up here we rock Constitutional, Contracts, Crim, Property, and Torts as exams, and Regulatory State (intro to admin) / Transnational law (intro to international law) as papers, and then legal research and writing as a series of memos and opinion letters through out the year.
Also, congratulations on getting in! Are you still feeling like criminal law and family law is what you are interested in?
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I am looking at criminal law more seriously than family law right now. We will add Criminal Procedure in the second semester. The reason we do civ pro first year here is because the Curriculum Comittee feels it is some thing that most practicing lawyers will deal with a good bit, so we should get it out of the way as early as possible.
A good friend graduated from William & Mary Law School. Well ranked, and an hour away from Virginia Beach...just sayin'.
If you want to aim big, you could always shoot for Gonzaga here in Spokane. Your LSAT is on the low side for them, but your GPA and other factors could swing it for you.
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Do you have some interesting courses lined up, or are you taking the black letter second year approach (which is what I did)?
Mostly just black letter classes; professional responsibility, sales, and property security. However I am also taking elder law and tribal law and administration which are going to be pretty interesting. The tribal law class has no text book, so I will have to take extra good notes in that class.
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If you want to aim big, you could always shoot for Gonzaga here in Spokane. Your LSAT is on the low side for them, but your GPA and other factors could swing it for you.
Funny thing is that I am actually attending the University of Idaho which is about 90 minutes south of Spokane. I have driven past Gonzaga many times since I try to get to Spokane at least once a month. Although I am not interested in transferring (unless it is to a school closer to my family) Spokane is on my list of top 10 places I would like to live and practice in.
If you want to aim big, you could always shoot for Gonzaga here in Spokane. Your LSAT is on the low side for them, but your GPA and other factors could swing it for you.Funny thing is that I am actually attending the University of Idaho which is about 90 minutes south of Spokane. I have driven past Gonzaga many times since I try to get to Spokane at least once a month. Although I am not interested in transferring (unless it is to a school closer to my family) Spokane is on my list of top 10 places I would like to live and practice in.
What a coincidence. I live in Spokane and it tops my list of places to get the hell out of as soon as possible.