As if the regular uncertainty of law school isn't enough, I'm leaving a steady job to head off to Law school in Fall during this COVID-19 pandemic!

The idea of leaving behind my steady income and instead taking on student loans during this time when I'm lucky to still have a job is causing me to panic!! Basically the added aspects of uncertainty due to the pandemic and thus the poor job market/economy are wearing me thin.

I'm trying to decide if I should stay my job another year and defer law school, hoping that the pandemic will blow over by Fall 2021(which is not guaranteed). Or if I go forward to law school despite it all since I've already been accepted and have a solid scholarship etc.

Is anyone else struggling with this decision? I am open to any advice or anecdotes about what others in similar positions have decided to do. I'm trying to see this from all angles before I make some big decision based on just my nerves and fears.

Thank you in advanced!

I finished my undergrad with a 3.82 so I got pretty good grades while also dealing with a lot of mental health issues. I'm not sure if it would be better to write about this in a diversity statement or in an addendum since these issues kept me from doing any extracurriculars? TIA

I got an email from some top schools like cornell, and I am not sure what it means? I do not want to apply when I have no chance.

So, I've just taken the May LSAT Flex and I got a 169. My undergrad GPA is 3.82. I was definitely prepping better than a 169 in the weeks leading up to the flex, even getting a 177 the last PT I took before the real thing. I'm sure nerves played a part in my performance. Right now I'm just trying to figure out if I should try to retake it again before applications on the fall or let it ride. I'm worried that a lower score will just do more harm than good and am unsure if my lower quantitative factors combined with what I think are very strong soft factors are enough to get me into the likes of HYS or CCN.

Soft factors: 11 years of service in the Navy as nuclear submarine officer. Studied Nuclear Engineering in undergrad and finished in 3 years while serving as active duty. Tons of arduous professional experience and leadership roles and relatively top performer in my profession. Also, I'm a first generation college grad, only person in my family with a degree.

Any chance that a killer PS with my soft factors could make up for my LSAT and get me into the likes of Harvard or Stanford or Chicago? Advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

I graduated in 2013 with a 2.88 GPA, and my winter quarter freshman year, I totally tanked. At the time, I was playing a collegiate sport, and had taken chem/calc. Needless to say, my grades were awful, and I was subject to academic disqualification as a result. I quickly changed my major, and stopped sports at the end of my freshman year (mostly due to injuries, partly due to grades). I was in good academic standing for the remainder of undergrad.

For the most part, my grades slowly got better after that one quarter, but in general, I was not a good student my first two years - I wasn't very mature, and didn't take some classes seriously. To add to that, I also graduated two quarters early, so I wasn't able to take extra classes to boost my GPA.

My official transcript does not show that I was in bad standing that one quarter, but I plan on applying to law school at the same place I did my undergrad, as well as a couple other places. Regardless, is this something that I should/need to discuss in an addendum?

I'm planning on taking the LSAT in August, with a goal of 170. I worry that with anything much lower than that, I will be discarded, due to my GPA.

My college registars office handles transcripts and diplomas but they've been closed and unavailable for over 2 months. They said they would not take request until may 30 now its june 30. I was wondering if anyone else is in the same boat.

I just "graduated" in may but I am unable to get my transcripts or have them sent. I was originally planning on taking the year off to travel and teach abroad but that plan was crushed. My friend in law school suggested that since I'm taking the LSAT in june to apply for this fall since my #1 school is accepting the june LSAT and reopened admissions but I cannot get my transcript. Their new deadline is July 1.

Hi all. I am 31, graduated over 10 years ago from an undergrad in architecture. Since then I have worked in the real estate sector and have lived abroad teaching English (also got TEFL certified). I want to go into Real Estate law. I have no background in law whatsoever.

I plan on taking the LSAT in August to apply for fall 2021. My GPA is a 3.2. Should I focus my studies on the LSAT or should I take an online 5-week summer pre-law program (only 3 hours a day), to spruce up my resume. I feel like I am competing with people who are paralegals or have pre-law backgrounds and so wanted something to make me more appealing to an application board.

I am a single mom and finding time to study quietly is hard enough as it is. So worth doing this online pre-law course? Would never have been able to do it in-person so thought of taking advantage of it being offered online.

Pros, cons? Thanks a lot guys and good luck with your LSAT studies.

I listened to an episode of the 7Sage Podcast a few months ago that (I believe...) mentioned 7Sage hosts T14 admissions counselors for "Ask Me Anything" style conversations. Unfortunately, I now can't find the exact episode where this was mentioned, and I haven't found any direct references to these conversations on the 7Sage site.

Now that I have my LSAT scores back (177/180 - thanks in large part to this site!), I am working through the admissions process and have a question that I would love to ask at one of these sessions. Since the question will impact how I portray myself/which elements of my background I emphasize in my applications, I would prefer not to directly ask this question to any of my prospective schools.

Does anyone have any additional details on these sessions/how to be alerted when they are scheduled? Thank you!

Please help.

For context only (not making excuses)- my last final of undergrad was during this covid nonsense, open note, open book, take home final. I needed help with 2 problems and a friend came over to explain them to me. My professor caught a lot of people for cheating and asked people to turn themselves in and they would receive a lesser punishment. I turned myself in and I just got an email from my academic honor council. I do not cheat on tests and (not an excuse but) this did not feel like cheating at the time.

I have already graduated but they said this is going on my record and they are taking away my Latin honors. I plan on applying to law school in a year after working a in management consulting at a prestigious firm. How screwed am I? I am engineering with a 3.85 and a 170 on LSAT, I was really trying to go to a top 25.

I would really love to hear from someone who had academic dishonesty and attended a top 25.

Thank you in advance and I would really appreciate any advice! And don’t tell me I deserve whatever I get because believe me I have never regretting anything more in my life! I am just praying my entire future isn’t in jeopardy.

#help

I am planning on applying this fall for fall 2021. I am planning my classes for my last two semesters, and am finding that with the load I would greatly benefit from taking one of the classes the summer after I graduate. I walk at graduation but of course am not completely done until that class ends in the summer. Can I do that for law school if I want to start in the fall? Or do I have to be completely finished in the spring. Hopefully that makes sense.

Thanks in advance!

I was waitlisted at the end of February, and sent a LOCI around late March (it may have been too early since the first seat deposit date was April 15). I expressed why and how eager I am to go there (my first choice) and what I would like to do once I get accepted, including my future plans.

I haven't heard from the school until now and am getting a little anxious about waiting - although I'm supposed to remain calm!!! I have no plan to take an additional LSAT, nor have any changes at work or other soft factors that is significant. I am not so sure of my chances in getting off the waitlist but want to do as much as I can to change the decision...

I am not so sure if the school accepts a second LOCI, but should I still write one? Maybe talk about the professor I would like to work with etc... Or should I just write a short (2-3 sentences) email that just appeals my continued interest? (Cuz I don't want to push them you know...) Or since it's already mid May, is it just too late to take any additional actions?

Thank you in advance!

Hi all, for those who are veterans I got some good news from a UGA assistant dean of admissions yesterday (5/14/2020). He said that for veterans who are admitted all of them received at least some additional funds for going to UGA. Right now the GI Bill covers full tuition at UGA Law (currently tuition is about $19k a year), then many schools offer the Yellow Ribbon scholarship for veterans on top of that. I'm not sure if the dean of admissions I spoke with was referring exclusively to the YR scholarship but he did say every veteran that was accepted at UGA gets money in the pocket.

Hope this is helpful!

Hi all - thank you in advance if you chime in to help (and for bearing with my long post).

Admittedly, disappointed with how my cycle went - A: UC Hastings W: UC Davis, Emory, Notre Dame R: handful of schools ranked above Notre Dame. Also, no money from UC Hastings, even after appealing. I am riding out the waitlists, but not optimistic.

My application history: GPA 3.5x, LSAT high 15x. Over the span of a year, I took the LSAT 3 times - used 7sage to study! I feel I have a compelling personal statement, good work experience (will have worked 5 years in government doing policy and finance), and strong letters of recommendations. I do think I left points on the table for the LSAT - I was PTing low-mid 160s. I also failed to apply early, submitting some apps as late as February. So I would focus on improving these two areas if I reapply.

Goals: Ideally attend law school in CA, and work in CA. Interested in public/government law like US Attorney’s Office, but also interested in Big Law (transactional) as I can see that being a great field in Bay Area tech sector. UC Berkeley was/is the dream, but I visited UCLA and pictured myself happy there too.

Other considerations on my mind:

I know deep down that I want to be a lawyer, so I will go to law school.

It has already felt like such a long process, so I hate the idea of another year, but if it makes sense, I’m willing to do it. And Oct/Nov is not that far away now...

I do think my mindset will be different. I’ll push harder, and will have the lessons and experience from the first cycle, motivating me to do better.

Financially, my family cannot support my education. I have some savings, and another year of work will definitely help. I feel pretty confident about my job security for the next year.

UC Hastings is a solid regional school, but I still have reservations about paying sticker!

But what if next cycle does turn out to be even more competitive?

Still, with 1 A, no money, and better application execution and strategy, I can only do better right?! Thank you.

I have read many discussions on letters of recommendation, but wanted to get some input on who to ask with my specific situation. I go to a small college, and with it being my junior year, there are about 4 professors that I have had for multiple classes who I am pretty close with and know would write great recommendations for my law school applications. I also interned for a member of the House of Reps in DC last year and will intern this summer with a rights and liberties organization located in DC. Additionally, I work on campus and play golf at my school, and I know that both my coach and my employer would be willing to write recommendations that would be very well done. I have seen before that letters from professors are better, but my two internships seem like they would look pretty good for admissions, and I wondered if employers or coaches could be added for some diversity as well. I am pretty early in the process and will take my first LSAT in June, but I wanted to be thinking about who to ask in order to give them plenty of time. Thanks for any suggestions and advice!

Hi, I'm wrapping up my junior year of undergrad at my university in Japan and I wanted to know when the best time to submit my transcript would be, considering the fact that I still have a year left to go.

I'm planning on applying in the next cycle, in hopes of attending law school straight out of college in the fall of '21. I would love to connect with other international applicants who are in a similar situation as me!

I don't know if anyone here can help me out with this, but it's something that has been nagging me since I took the LSAT in November. I went to a small liberal arts school that refuses to engage in college rankings and grade inflation. The average graduating GPA is around 3.2, and it has been this way for over 25 years. In that same span of time only 8 students have graduated with a 4.0.

My GPA is 3.4 (undergrad, not CAS), with my grades improving year to year (I received academic commendations during my Junior and Senior year). I'm genuinely proud of my GPA within context, but lurking certain admissions forums I get scared by the narrative that admissions officials only care about numbers in relation to averages. Can I trust admissions officials to take where I went to undergrad into account while considering my application? I know in theory I probably should, but I also have some doubts. I feel bad saying this, but I feel very confident I would have gotten at least a 3.9 at most other schools. I took 3 summer courses at an elite university before my Junior year and got A's with less effort than I needed to put in at my undergrad institution.

I hope this post doesn't across as me bragging or making excuses. I would really appreciate any input at this point honestly. I think the T-14 or bust mentality is toxic, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't matter to me at all. My LSAT is 174.

Thanks so much for any help.

Does anyone know if it’s possible to apply for money for your second or third year if you don’t receive any when you get accepted? I just got off the waitlist at my top choice school and am so excited but don’t think I’ll get any money and am really scared to pay full tuition in the long run. If there’s even a chance I could get a small merit scholarship down the line that would be amazing but I haven’t heard of that happening.

Hi all! This was my first time applying to Canadian Law Schools and I just received news that I was rejected from my dream school. This isn't my first rejection so I don't think it's going to happen for me in 2020. I just wanted to find out if it is normal (ish) to not get in on your first try? I'm feeling really embarrassed to let my friends and family know that I didn't get into any of the schools I applied to. Has this happened to anyone before?

I just wanted to express a thanks to all who share their anxieties on this forum because it really helped me hurdle the pressures of apps and studying throughout my journey.

I started studying in summer 18 through 7sage. I ended up putting my career on hold to get married and move abroad. All the while extending my account periodically because I knew I would want to eventually take the lsat and go to law school. Just keeping connected to this community and the dedication of the constant posters helped me muster up enough courage to get back on the horse. Either way I started studying again in June 2019 for the Oct test. I took a diagnostic at 147 timed. That was upsetting but I knew I couldn't just assume I was gonna kill this test without work. I took all but the last 12 pts and got a 160 on the Oct test. I knew I was able to get a few points higher and pushed myself for the January test. I applied to a bunch of schools with that score but told them I was taking a future test and they held my app until my next score came. Finally to my joy I received my Jan test score back. A 164. At that point I was content and decided thats the best I can do I tried twice let's see what happens.

Ok. So a 164 3.86 from an online college BA.

Here's my cycle can't remember dates but my score didn't allow my apps to get to review until the middle of Feb.

University of Houston- accepted with big Scholly

University Cincinnati- same as above

Scu law tech edge program- same as above

Cardozo law- huge Scholly

Loyola L.A.- accepted

Asu-waitlist

After my new score I applied to a few more schools

Bc- accepted half Scholly

Emory- priority wl

Bu- wl

Gw- accepted w some Scholly

UcL.A.- wl

Wustl- accepted with more than half

The reason I'm writing this is not to show off. It's because everyone gets too caught up in the numbers and I see it really holds people back from not only studying but also even applying to schools where they are way below the median. Keep healthy.

Thanks 7sage for making my ride a lot more informed and fearless.

Hi! My school does not weight A+ any differently than A so it is all 4.0. After using the GPA calculator provided by 7sage I have discovered that my LSAC GPA is about 0.1 higher than my CGPA. My question is which one will be used to evaluate my viability as a candidate. If I maintain my current GPA, I have a shot at getting in some good schools and I have 11 classes left as well that can potentially improve my odds.

Hi! I am graduating college in a week! With that being said- I plan on starting work in July. Currently, the plan is to take the LSAT in August and work for 1-2 years. I have asked 2 professors to write me letters of recommendation and informed them of my timeline, they both were delighted to. Should I have them write the letters now or in a year when I plan to apply to law school?

Thanks!

Can you round up your GPA from a 3.918 to a 3.92 for your resume?

Has anyone ever heard of anyone who began studying for the bar before 1L year? I know it seems like a bit much but I am looking to prepare for 1L year, have lots of time, and am taking out so much debt I need to absolutely kill it 1L year, at least in my head. It seems like the bar focuses on 1L material anyway.

I have already studied most of 7sage Law School and am hungry for more. I would pay for the bar prep courses but I am wondering if those who have been through school and the exam think this is senseless.

Finally, when do students usually sit for bar? Do they generally take it in July and then subsequently begin work, or does work begin earlier?

Thanks for the help.

Hi! I was accepted at my top choice with ~75% tuition scholarship (tried negotiating, no change). I have accepted the $20,500 Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan in order to cover the remaining tuition. To cover the remaining cost of attendance, the school has offered ~$40K in a Grad PLUS Loan (I am assuming I am eligible for the full amount because I have a good, long credit history, but the application doesn't actually open until June/July).

Here's where I'm running into trouble. I do not need the full $40K and did not plan to accept the whole thing. I have also applied for numerous outside scholarships, which have the potential to make a big dent in my COA need - but I haven't heard back yet. However, the school requested that I respond to their financial aid offer by the end of the month.

Will I be able to make changes to the Grad PLUS Loan amount later? I am really scared to take on all this debt and applied for scholarships to minimize it! Should I accept the whole thing? Accept the amount I anticipate needing? Thank you so much for your help!