I am broke and first generation. Honestly, I really just want to get into a school in Kentucky. I prefer UofK or UofL. But I will gladly accept NKU. I don't see a thing wrong with NKU, I just know UofK and UofL are more in the areas I wanna be working/living in. Yeah, the T14s and the T30s sound cool, but with the "big beautiful bill," law school in of itself feels like a distant unattainable dream financially. I am fortunate in the sense of not having undergrad debt, but I am currently unemployed. I start work again as a sub teacher soon, but it isn't enough. I don't wanna fall for a "predatory" law school. I want to work in Public Advocacy for sure. Big Law seems interesting, but at the same time it isn't a goal of mine to work in Big Law. (Had someone ask why I wanna be broke on purpose :/). I take the August 8th LSAT, but I don't feel ready. I would move it back, but I would lose one of my fee waved tries and I rather go ahead and take it. Although, I am also taking one in September. And for anyone else in my position, for the love of God, STAY OFF REDDIT.
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I feel you. No money for fancy tutors, barely able to pay to use this site, FLOORED by the cost of LSAT, LawHub, CAS, and application fees. I know I don't have the resources to get up to 170 as hard as I try, so T14s are way too far of a reach. I'm trying to remember that regardless of what school I end up at (within reason), attending and completing law school is an accomplishment and privilege that many will never be able to access. Sure, T14 big law job security must be great. But that doesn't mean a state school won't provide you with a fulfilling career and dedicated alumni network. Keep the faith - we got this!!
@madisonprice And even if most of us reached the 170s and T14s on our own, we would be broken-hearted over the fact money is what stops us from ultimately going. I just don't like how this system is set up to hinder those who don't have the funds. I 100% agree that a state school is where its at or even a city school like UofL. We do got this. Thank you :')
@madisonprice You don't need "fancy tutors" or other premium resources to score a 170 if that's your goal. Some purveyors of LSAT tutoring services try to make it seem that way, but I assure you it is attainable for many with nothing but access to Lawhub advantage (which can be obtained freely w a fee waiver). In fact, I think tutoring yields very marginal returns for a lot people. All this to say, don't sell yourself short by assuming a 170 is out of reach due to whatever resource constraints you might have. If you want it and have the aptitude it's there for the taking.
@HowardHamlin_Esquire holy crap, howard hamlin (jokes aside, agreed)
brother r/LSAT is lowk a plague. 90% of them are like "this is how i went from a 120 prep to a 180 in just one month," there are people on there as frustrated as you and I but they are not as loud as the big scorers. I agree with you, staying off Reddit is a good idea. It can cause someone to become discouraged very quickly.
@NoahGustafson yeah, and especially anyone who already struggles with negative self talk and depression. And then most folks on r/lsat are talking about how making a 160-175 is a mid score and if you're below that you have the iq of a wet blanket. like thanks guys, really helpful. part of me blames lsatdemon's bullying methods when you get the answer wrong and they just degrade you.
@inky wet blanket omg so accurate, literally
I had my first test waived and i moved my test date and they did it for FREE. Just ask them, worst they can say is no. 99% of the shots you don't take, you miss.
@fart180 thank you!
I love the ramble I am in a similar situation in Georgia! My goal is to become a immigration attorney ASAP, idc about going to a T14. I would also advice get off of Tiktok, Instagram, and Facebook LSAT groups because they make me more anxious about everything then actually help me. I'm taking October after the August one, because at least if I do bad on August I've had that experience to mentally prepare me. ALSO DON'T HIRE TUTORS JUST BECAUSE THEY YOU FEEL HOPELESS. I did that and paid for a $180 2.5 hour session and regret it, while it gave me confidence I should just signed up for 7sage upgrade program for $200 FOR A WHOLE MONTH! Definately doing that with my savings after August. (This is also a ramble)
@Esalas_me I heard the Loophole book is good if you wanna give it a try too. Its like a work book. So far it has been helpful! I appreciate your ramble!
I am very much in the same position! The plan was to take it in August but I never signed up for it because I didn't feel ready. I wanted to try taking it in September but I still don't feel ready so now I may take it in October. If I were you, I would see the score needed for those schools and compare to your PTs. If they are around that school's score I would say to take it but if you really feel like you need time, def push it.
@RubiOrellana Thank you. :') Pushing it back seems like a good idea.
I swear to god the most insufferable people to exist post on R/LSAT
@01IVIA literally
First gen here as well. I’m not sure when your fee waiver expires, but when it does you can apply for it again! Or I’d recommend calling LSAC and ask them to move your registration.
If you have your sights set on UofK or UofL, you can see if their admissions team is offering virtual info sessions or 1:1 advising this summer and ask them about the LSAT and Public Interest resources. Building a relationship with their team/showing demonstrated interest can help in the long run when you apply. Additionally, if you decide to apply this cycle and your LSAT is below their median, you can ask them questions like “What makes an applicant with a below median LSAT score a successful applicant?” They can give you direct advice on what they look for and even point you in the right direction. I know it seems daunting especially as a first-gen, but it’s good to remember the Admissions Committee is made up of humans who are looking for reasons to say “yes” to you. 🙂
@lcsjeppe Thank you!!
I feel you too. I'm taking the October one. I hope you do well for your exam
@Bev7 same here! Wishing you the best!
@inky I also don't think I wanna go to big law or care much to go to a very top school. I am trying my best to study to get the best score as possible to sends app in the fall
Very similar situation, I sub and just wanna do some good in the world. In my state there isn't an option to go to law school that isn't over 50th ranking, I also am married and have a child. I am taking August and September and praying or the best and will submit. Good luck
@ADW good luck! Wishing you the best!
I am also wanting to do public service.. which will still get your loans forgiven.
I am not registering for an official test until I am happy with my score. I may even take a second gap year if I need to. I can't get two things out of my head:
Studying for the lsat is like working out.. there is no way one could go from sedentary to bikini bod in 3-6 months.
One could go to law school for free with a 170+ lsat score.
@SamanthaBee you are right. I did just get a job so perhaps taking more time would be the best for me. Thank you for this :)
It sounds like you have a fairly clear vision of where you want to be and other people's aspirations seem to be affecting your level your certainty.
I'm somewhat in the opposite position. The closest school to where I live (in Canada) is ranked quite high and appears to require high-160s LSAT scores for me to be competitive. Whereas, I would have to move somewhere else to attend the "mid-tier" schools that are actually quite valued by former (and hopefully future again) colleagues in government.
Good luck with your exam and with finding your own way.
Have you considered looking for investigator jobs for the DA? Most don't require experience and can get you access to the public arena. Probably will pay more than substitute teaching and may be willing to work with you as you go to school. Also look into staffing agencies that place teachers. Offers much better pay. It though right now but don't let that deter you from your dream
@j_jessica39 Oh I did not know about this. I will look into it!
@j_jessica39 Don't all investigator jobs for DA offices require prior law enforcement experience?
@Jtm527 I didn't find any for a district attorney's office, but I applied to a Public Advocate Investigator. It has two years experience required but any additional schooling besides high school will substitute the required experience on a year-for-year basis. So my bachelor's covers it, at least in KY
You still have time to deregister and use the fee waiver at another time. If you cancel before registration deadline tomorrow (Tuesday July 28 @ 11:59pm) you will have the fee refunded. LawHub support is very supportive as well if you run into any technical issues trying to deregister.
I used my fee waiver for April, and June. I wrote in April and was disappointed with the results. I was able to deregister for June and maintain that fee waiver for another date, I have applied the fee waiver to September test.
I was scoring around 156 approaching April test date, I scored officially 153. They say to expect a few point decrease due to test date jitters. I would not commit to a test date until I was scoring in the range I want, I pushed it too soon and suffered a stressful test.
You could write in September, and then plan for a November or December attempt, that is my current plan. I saw that July or August would not give me enough time to be prepared, feel confident, and comfortable under test taking conditions.
You should also not exclude the idea of deferring one year to apply in the following cycle, this could help alleviate some of that pressure you are putting on yourself to score well now, and get everything submitted in time for the upcoming applicant cycle.
As far as financing goes I would consider the idea of public service for 10 years following graduation. We want to get as much scholarship granted of course, and be conscious of expenses but it shouldn't shut the door. Since you are interested in public service work, an option is to work for the government for 10 years to earn the loan forgiveness.
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you make 120 qualifying payments while working full-time for an eligible employer.
@NoNamed92 thanks for this! I will probably do that. I wasn't sure if I could back out of it or not. The PSLF is another reason I wanna be a Public Defender besides wanting to help the under-served. I just hope you-know-who doesn't take it away.
Are u urm, if so if you can get a good lsat and story u gonna mog all of us lmao
What possessed you to comment this, buddy
@inky I guess I got ratiomogged