Hi all,

I am 3 years out of undergrad and have the following numbers:

2.71 GPA. (from top UC School)

165 Feb 2018 LSAT

I am URM, and have great work experience. (3 years as a litigation Paralegal at a respected medium-sized law firm in the silicon valley [80 ATTYS]).

I want to practice in California, what are my chances at Cal, UCLA, USC, UCI, or Davis? Or should I just take a scholly at a school like Santa Clara? Wouldn't want to go until Fall 2019. Does my work experience make my application stronger?

Thanks, all.

Hi everyone! I'm going to give some background about myself first for context before asking my question. I started "studying" for the LSAT during the summer of 2016. I took the diagnostic test that comes with this course (June 2007) and scored a 154. I was working full-time and heading into my final year of school, so I already had a lot on my plate and I didn't properly set time aside to study. I originally wanted to write in the fall of 2016, but I pushed it twice (December 2016 and then February 2017). Eventually, I wrote in February 2017 (having done virtually 0 studying) because I had submit any score for my law school applications, and (unsurprisingly) I scored 154 again. Fast forward to today, I didn't get accepted anywhere (duh) and I'm trying to study again to re-apply in the fall of 2018.

I took the same diagnostic test again, scored 152, and my section breakdown (same order as the test) is as follows:

My best section by far is LG, with my worst section being RC. My question is: how much can I expect to improve my score by the September 2018 test date? I'll have about another 1.5 to 2 months of full-time studying to get through the core curriculum, and after that I'll be working full-time again until September so my study time will be cut (but hopefully I can do at least 1 PT a week on top of reviewing the curriculum).

I am hoping to get to at least 165 to offset a less-than-competitive average from undergrad, and if I could get to 170 that would be a dream. Am I aiming too high? Or should I be approaching this differently? Any advice or past experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Hello,

Where can i view my 7 sage receipt?

Thanks

Now seems as good a time as any to start a thread near and dear to some people considering law school. Is it possible to maintain some sort of balance between the rigorous demands of law school and an "outside" life that includes parents, friends, other activities? ETA: Spoiler alert, I personally think the answer to the question is YES for 100% of people. Sometimes that fact gets lost in translation / open discussion. Nothing worth having is easy and law school definitely falls into the category of not easy, but what are some thoughts /suggestions / experiences on the ability to maintain a life outside of law school.

I am particularly interested in this aspect of the law school decision. I'm a non-traditional student in his mid-40's, 4 children (only 1 of which lives at home), with a spouse with a demanding career and her own PhD study demands. I volunteer a significant amount of time to one of my children's school (3-4 days a week typically). Scheduling is huge in my life. 25 years of military service, multiple deployments, and a 2 year unaccompanied tour (me-Japan, family-USA) have provided context that, for me, make the time demands of law school and the ability to stay engaged in family life one of the key factors in my decision of if/when/where to attend law school.

I've spoken with a couple of current law students at the two schools at the top of my list and also to other practicing lawyers that are either existing friends or kind souls that responded to one of the numerous cold emails I sent out some of the public defenders / DAs in my local area. A few thoughts on time management they gave me, as it specifically applies to maintaining a school / balance:

Note: Each of these recommendations has been told to me by more than one independent source. As I have not been to law school, I don't know how good / bad they are, but they are meaningful to me given what are my variables.

Consider law school your job from day 1. Establish a typical "working stiff" schedule (8-4, 9-5, etc) and maintain it religiously. Wake up, get the kids to school and go straight to your own campus. Stay there all day. If you are not in class, spend that time reading / studying / preparing for class. Do not engage in social media / internet surfing during your work day. Go home at the end of "your day" and leave school at school.

Consider legal social engagements and assesses the ROI of attendance at each event you consider. Functions that are networking opportunities or faculty touch points > Thursday night Margaritas with the study group. Make time for some peer engagement, but don't feel you have to go out every night after study and get your drink on. There will always be someone going out, consider whether you really need to join them.

Try to reserve one entire day for non-law school activities (typically either Saturday or Sunday). Let the people important to you know about this day so you can control their expectation management. When that day comes, commit to it fully (do not sneak in study / reading / class prep).

Chose 1 law school "extra-curricular" interest group and devote time to it singularly instead of less time to multiple groups.

Sometimes, good enough is better than perfect. Will one more hour of reading help? In truth, probably. However, at some point, there is a point of diminishing returns to study / reading / case prep and your life outside of law school needs some attention.

Starting at ~ exams minus 1 month, all of the above go out the window. Now is the time to grind and crank up the coffee pot to max capacity. Again (similar to note 3), tell those important people in your life about this period long before it starts so they know and are mentally prepared to see less of you. They can also help support you during this time.

Polish your resume before starting school. It will be needed long before you think it will be.

deep breath For me, law school is about choices and balancing those things that are important to each individual student (and me in my own case). Preparing for it is also often portrayed as a world of binary choices (go/don't go, I have to go this /next year, I have to go to X school / Y tier of school). Most times, those binary choices are not, in fact, based in reality; nor are conversations about them intended to be. We each have to weigh our own variables and make the right decision for us as an individual and for those important to us (family, friends). In most circumstances, the answer isn't clearly black / white, go / don't go, or yes / no. More often, the choice really is a wider menu selection of here / there, now / later, this option / that option. More information often helps better inform that decision; hence this thread.

I'm currently reading Law School Insights by Dakota Duncan, a non-traditional law school graduate who wrestled with many of the same issues concerning family life / law school. I'm only through the first chapter and its been slow thus far, but will provide any nuggets when I come across them.

What are other 7Sager's thoughts on the topic / sources of good material referencing these issues?

Hello everyone, question about the problem sets:

How does everyone use them? Do you complete a lesson, say weakening questions, and then hit some problems from the question bank to see if you're comprehending that specific section? Or, are you smashing through some core curriculum and and holding off on the sets until later?

admin note: edited for formatting

I'm pretty over this cycle, and I am a bit disappointed but also a bit relieved. For many, I am sure this cycle has been not as expected... and I am just one of those many. Frustrating, and extremely tedious it was to wait and still wait at the ending of April to hear, or to have a deposit deadline come moments after. However, I am a bit relieved that I am throwing in this towel, it seems to be more of a rag by this point & frankly I do not mind getting rid of it at all.

Started in or are sub 160: Get a course like 7sage, Manhattan, or some good resources like LSAT Trainer and LG bible, LR bible and self study(I'm all about quality>quantity). If you study that material well for a bit you should be able to hit 160 eventually. Criticism is worth more than compliments. Be thorough about why you suck and what you can do to improve. Didn't label something? Better label it next time. Mistook necessary for sufficient? Oldest trick in the book for a reason. People scoring better than you do not do it as often as you chances are. Drill problematic areas if needed so you do not repeat bad mistakes. Time isn't crucial but you should be doing some timed worked every so often depending on your needs.

Hitting 160+: Review fundamentals again. They honestly aren't as solid as you probably think. We have terrible bias about ourselves. We dislike knowing how much we suck. You will get some free speed even if you do not get more accuracy at least so it is NOT a waste of time as it can only help you. Do more practice tests(UNDER SIMULATED CONDITIONS) and BLIND REVIEW those mistakes you make. DO NOT cheat yourself. Spend a few mins on every question you got wrong and really dig on what got you to get it wrong.

Hitting 165+: You are going to start climbing the hill. Imagine yourself as a manual car and put yourself in the right gear. Don't put it on 4 at 10 mph and don't put it at 1 at 80mph. Here, it's about quality learning and not basic improvements. You have to thoroughly understand why the language, stimulus, etc is tripping you up. Start developing a methodology for approaching sections, questions, etc. I got stuck here like it was quick sand and I was helpless after quickly moving from 150s to 160s. I would not drill heavily here. I think drilling is great for sub 160 but not later. Have money? Get a tutor. Don't have money? You need to be VERY honest or you're going to be here stuck like me. Dismissing a question as a silly mistake? That is the STUPIDEST error in the book if the other is the oldest. That is going to HURT you. Hurt you very much.

Hitting 170+: Here it's about perfecting your methodology for things. If you forgot to put a not rule under sequential game treat it like you're a total newbie and be careful to not do that again. It's costing you time that you should have to review the tough questions, or spend in other questions in every section. Forgot to label a conclusion? Probably why you got it wrong or it cost you time. Forgot to translate language on an answer choice just because your gut told you? Got it wrong? Got it right? DOES NOT MATTER. Costed you time so you're making an error. That is why you do not have time left, didn't have time for a tough question, etc. Keep your methodology simple but effective. There is no ifs. You either did it right or didn't. It doesn't matter if you could have gotten it right but didn't if you want to improve. Be harsh but honest. No errors is the goal to aim for on the test taking. You should have things down to a mechanistic habit if you want to move up anywhere from 170 or be more consistent.

Hitting 175+: Don't know what you're doing wrong? I have no clue how you got here then. You should not need advice. Refer to 170 as maybe you're still having some problematic habits but have a very strong -0 section or two that is keeping you from doing better. Stop using your strong section as a crutch if that is what you are doing. Try to be a master of all.

Hit 180: Go celebrate your awesomeness. Do that at 175+ too. If you got here and didn't do that you probably should. What a feat. Heck, go celebrate every time you move up the ladder. Probably will keep you more sane.I just didn't want you to be complacent so I did not mention it earlier.

Things to do at EVERY step: have patience. Sorry, unless you scored a 165+ on your first test it will require some learning and practice. Patience. Things don't change overnight. Keep that in mind at every step of the process. I promise to you if you are honest and critical about your errors and studying you WILL improve. I can't tell you how fast, but I can confidently say you will.

Misc. notes: A tutor really can be helpful at moving up the hill once you hit 165+. They can see your pattern on approaching questions wrong, mention to you ways to improve speed, etc. If you can't afford one you need to be as I said HONEST and CRITICAL about your performance. I highlighted one word here in all of this post. See what that sentence said again. It wasn't a hyperbole; it was a fact.

Hi Guys! Wondering if any of you have good study-related podcasts that you listen to while driving? I have 2 long drives coming up and I want to listen to something LSAT studying/learning related... any suggestions?

Thanks

This may be a silly question, but is it possible that schools that currently take the highest score may start averaging again in the future? I will be retaking the test soon but plan on applying in a few years due to work commitments.

for those interested in meditation.

I'm not sure I'll be ready for the June test. I've been practicing for three weeks, mainly LR and have seen roughly +5 improvement there. Haven't given as much time to LG or RC because I'm stronger in those. But there is still room for improvement everywhere. I'm shooting for a 180, want 170+, and 160+ wouldn't be the end of the world. Anyway pleas argue:

If I am not confident that I can achieve a score I want in July is there any reason I should postpone knowing I can take the LSAT as many times as I want?

Thanks guys

I currently have a job that I come home from exhausted and brain fried six days a week. I'm so tired when I get home that it feels nearly impossible to do anything productive. For those of you working, how have you found a balance between your job and studying nights and weekends?

Hey all! Congrats to everyone improving your scores!

I was wondering if you guys had some advice on dealing with crippling anxiety and stress that prevent me from reaching my potential?

In timed, stimulated exams I scored my recent high 166..but blind review...170.

In fact, with blind review I am not taking much time over 35 minutes. Sometimes, I finish under time.

When I take the test with stimulated conditions, it's as if I am frozen & forgot everything I've ever learned.

I get so worked up and nervous that I fall well below my average in regular practice drills.

Anyone have any advice?

I came across this story today in my news feed. What an amazing way to turn around your life. If this woman can do it, any of us can. Truly inspiring!

http://abc13.com/education/mom-of-5-graduating-from-tsu-law-school-goes-viral-in-photo-with-kids/3326740/

What is y'alls favorite/most effective prep book. I have an older Kaplan Premier/Unlocked, but I'm burning through the content pretty quickly. Is there a different brand you like better? I want to focus on actual questions and full length tests, rather than learning guides (since 7sage does that well).

I'd like to spend less than $40, if possible.

This is something I've been thinking about recently. Has the 'meta' changed for those who hope to go to a T6 law school?

This past cycle, we've seen a huge increase in the number of 175+ scoring applicants. I believe in past years there were only approximately ~400 175+ scoring applicants. This past cycle, there were almost 700 according to Spivey's 2017-2018 cycle data. (http://blog.spiveyconsulting.com/new-2017-2018-cycle-data-as-of-3-27-18/)

And, just anecdotally, I've seen a lot of discussion on various forums from scorers in the 170-174 range who are planning on retaking just to break through the 175 barrier. And it makes a lot of sense -- I think if I had a 174 I would think about retaking as well. Getting past 175 will put you in the 75th percentile for all of the T6, and that's life changing.

Furthermore, I think almost anyone scoring in the 170-174 range is capable of scoring a 175+. At that point, taking the exam is more like rolling the dice to see whether or not the examination plays to or against your strengths. For example, if you're weak at RC, you can just sit for exams until you run into an exam with a particularly easy RC section. Now that there's unlimited retakes, there's no downside to doing this. The only limiting factors are time and money (which for a college entrance exam, really shouldn't be limiting factors imo).

Considering the huge benefits that a score increase from say a 172 to a 177 provide, is it not a no-brainer to take this approach to the exam? A Ruby at Chicago or an admittance to Yale are really life changing events, and they're both significantly more likely to happen if you're boasting a 175+ score.

Just to clarify, I'm not advocating this type of approach. To me, this just seems to be the obvious consequence of the new rules surrounding unlimited retakes and all of the new testing administrations. It does seem to give a distinct advantage to those individuals who can afford to delay a couple cycles, and keep sitting for the exam until it eventually plays to their strengths.

Is this the new 'meta' for T6? What do ya'll think, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I visited a school today where my app is still pending. Met a director of adminssions. Would it be a bad idea to email her a thank you? Met her through the “info lecture” and asked some questions with her directly after.

I am on track to take the June LSAT, but with less than two months to go, I am starting to feel the anxiety creep in. Where my anxiety stems from is how inconsistent I feel like I can be with my prep tests. Although my raw scores and my overall scores are rather consistent (ranging from 161-169 with an average of 165), I vary quite widely within sections. I have had times where I score perfectly on Reading Comp, and I have had times where I have only had 67% on Reading Comp; sometimes I miss only 1 or 2 out of both sections combined with LR, but other times I miss 7 or 8 combined. So far, the times where I have been less successful in Reading Comp have corresponded with stronger LR and vice versa, but I am starting to worry about potentially having an particularly bad day when I have a bad RC and perform poorly on LR. Any ideas on how to get more consistent? Thanks!

Hello all! I've had this problem for a while now. But I've been having trouble closing the gap between timed score and BR score. The gap is dramatic like from 150s-160s timed to high 170s untimed. It varies. I know it's not a fluke because I have been getting high 170s during BR for the last like 5 or so practice tests.

During a timed preptest, I find myself being increasingly anxious. It kills my mood for the rest of the section and so on -- which obviously tanks my timed score. I just began meditating several days ago to try to combat my anxiety and focus. It helps to a degree but that drastically. Although I am skipping, I do have a tendency to spend time on time sink questions and have a tendency to second guess my instinct.

I really need help on trying to close this gap and working on my confidence before the July test. I know there's no magical formula to being able to close this gap, any advice would really be appreciated!

Hi all,

I got accepted to the University of British Columbia up in Canada. Pretty funny story, I actually 'argued' my way in. I was originally rejected and waaaayyyy down on the wait list. However, I sent them a lengthy e-mail arguing that their evaluation of my GPA was somewhat unfair (I did well on the LSAT though, their median is 164-166 or something and I was 171). After a lengthy back and forth and getting some information from old professors, they actually re-evaluated it and it worked out quite well. The major problem was that my school doesn't give out A+'s and so my GPA was like a full 3-4% lower than what it was supposed to be. Anyways, sometimes it's actually worth speaking out... the director also said the really enjoyed my Personal Statement and said that it's a lie that the admissions offices don't read them because she specifically remembered mine, which was really nice to hear. I was also offered a spot at Western, and they evaluated my cGPA as 3.03 hahahahahah and then probably they looked more closely at my last two years and maybe gave me like a 3.3 or 3.4. University of Toronto rejected me though outright, not even the courtesy of a waitlist lol. I get a chuckle about lawyering my way into lawschool.

Anyways. UBC actually has a pretty cool J.D./MBA program. Have any of you guys done these or looked at them? The issue is that my work experience is that of a long haul truck driver, a highway construction crew foreman and as a storefront counter worker, and despite the fact that economics and statistics are my favorite subjects and that I would be using my law degree mostly to try and get a leg up in the business world, I'm not sure if the MBA program is a good idea. Do you guys have any thoughts on this? Is it different doing a J.D./MBA as opposed to a pure MBA? I know you're supposed to have some industry work experience. Plus it's dammmmnnn expensive. But I did a cold take on a GRE and I managed to score above their 'recommended competitive requirements' for that exam (half of it is like the LSAT, but the math part I was AWEFUL at hahahaha).

Thanks folks. I hope you all have your fingers crossed if you're on the wait lists, or that you're celebrating an acceptance!

Hi everyone! I am looking for some honest advice. So to start off, I have taken the LSAT four times; my most recent score was a 147 (Feb. 2018). I have severe test anxiety and had a panic attack during one of my tests - I just cannot conquer this stupid test :( My uGPA isn't bad, but it's not great either: a 3.02. I have been out of school for a little over two years now, and have since worked as a legal advocate for a domestic abuse shelter; a courtroom clerk; and I am currently the manager of a low-income family mediation program. I have four letters of recommendation, and I know they are all very strong. And then there's my personal statement, which I had two advisors review and had an expert edit; I was told it was very strong. Aside from my LSAT (and uGPA), I am not too worried about the rest of my application.

With all that aside, I am very unsure where to go from here. I applied to eight schools for the 2018 cycle, but I have received two rejections so far (not surprising), and am not confident about the rest. I will take the LSAT again, but I think I need to take some time (a year or two) for myself, and then retake. Even if I retake, I am not expecting to score that much higher. I have taken it four times already, and at this point I don't think I will score much higher than low/mid-150's. So, I am wondering what would be the best option to boost my application? I have been playing with the idea of going back to school - either another Bachelor's to increase my uGPA or a Master's... but I have read/heard conflicting things about this. Would it be better to go back to school to show schools that I am a serious student, continue to work, or I have the option to also get my mediation certificate? Other ideas or any advice? I would greatly appreciate any input! Thank you!

Hey guys,

How should I send a LOCI? Body of an email, or attached to an email?

Just a quick question:

Assuming all other factors remain constant, what is better for admissions, applying in November with a 3.66 GPA or waiting until January to apply with a 3.7? (GPA will improve over the semester)

Hi all,

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read and answer my post.

I have scored a 138 on my diagnostic, took the December 2017 lsat and got 147.

I was averaging 146 with a high of 152.

I work full time at a very busy litigation firm as a litigation paralegal. It was very hard to make time to study. I enrolled in a testmasters course but didn’t really learn much. I was always so drained after work to absorb anything he instructor said.

I’m planning on taking 4 months off of work to focus full time on the exam to retake (and use the 7sage LSAT program).

Is it possible to get to the 160-170 range?

I’ve mistakingly exhausted the last 20 practice tests.. didn’t realize that was a mistake until I came across 7sage. Considering this, will the 7sage course still be useful for me?

Thanks again.

Just got WL'd at BU 3.4 GPA 160 LSAT.

I am dying here