Just in case it helps anyone’s spirits, I struggled for 3 years with the LSAT and never got a high score. But I got into my top choice school and got straight A’s my first semester. Now I just have to keep my foot on the gas pedal.
Just checking :)
Now that I'm starting at Cardozo (yay) in May, I'm tossing the Stephen King books. LOL. And I'm glad I mostly got all the way through Contracts and Crim Law since I'll be starting with those classes. Now I'm only going to finish Getting to Maybe and read How To Do Your Best on Law School Exams and that's more than enough.
I've been on here so long that I'm not sure if any of my study buddies are still here, but I will share some things I learned, in case it's helpful. I decided more than 3 years ago to go to law school to pursue a second career. (Note: Make sure you're not deciding IF you want to go to law school, but that you ARE going, before you even start the LSAT process.) My diagnostic was 148 and after studying with Powerscore, I scored a 152. Enter Loophole, Trainer and the entire 7Sage course (more helpful than all of the books), and I still NEVER scored above a 155. Was I working full-time as a managing editor? Yes. Did I score way higher on the PTs? Yes. Did it hurt me that I did too many PTs (quality over quantity, folks) and sometimes gave myself extra time on them? Definitely! Don't do that! As awesome as I was at the Games after I'd already done them once, the anxiety around facing fresh Games on each real test was just too overwhelming. That's where I lost points every time. But the reported score is all that matters. Except it's not! What matters is that I learned not to obsess. I'm passionate and diligent about studying, but it almost took over my entire life, and then I simply didn't let it. And I had so many luxuries: plenty of time, a master's in journalism, mad years of work experience (15) and a decent GPA (3.7). I also had the support group that this Forum provided me. I also workshopped my essays for a whole year. And if you're in any situation remotely similar, I highly recommend the Unlimited Admissions help on here. It has been a tremendous help, every step of the way (in fact, we're still not done). It's worth every penny. It really is true that you're more than your score, and here's proof (in reverse order of how much I wanted to attend):
Rutgers - Accepted ($$)
Temple - Accepted
GMU - who knows, who cares at this point
Loyola (LA) - who knows, who cares at this point
BC - WL - giving up my spot
UConn - Accepted ($)
St. John's - Accepted
GW - WL - giving up my spot
BU - Rejected
Brooklyn - Accepted ($$)
NYU - Rejected
Columbia - hasn't got around to rejecting me, but I'm not delusional
Fordham - WL (not quite giving up my spot yet just in case something crazy happens)
Cardozo - ACCEPTED YESTERDAY ($) and starting in May
Trust 7Sage. Get some experience. Get the highest score you can on this beast, but don't obsess. Don't let it take over your life. Take care of yourself. Do your research. Cast a wide net. Follow the wise words of Dean David Martinidez: “Do your own version of ranking specific to what is important to you. Why? ... Be passionate and pursue passions. Let us know how our school will benefit by admitting you."
Thanks. And you'll never believe this, but I just got the merit scholarship email, and it's 11pm! These guys must be working from home and their kids are asleep :wink:
I got accepted to UConn today, and it's Sunday. Who knew that was possible?
Thanks for your response @kellerkristy655
It's possible I'll be starting school in May (please accept me already, Cardozo!), but if not I'll be starting in August, so I'm going to keep casually reading all of the above books and updating this post when I finish them. You, and any other Sager, are welcome to chime in any time you're ready, and I'd love to have discussions about them. But no pressure. I'm treating this whole list as a no-pressure, casual experience. But for the most part (except for maybe Contracts), I'm really into the material!
I added "Getting to Maybe." And I even finished "The Running Man." No, I don't think Stephen King is preparing me for law school. I just want to read for fun to start getting used to the idea of reading a lot, all the time. And it may be the last time I read for fun for a long time.
In at Temple today too! Hopefully Cardozo is next :blush:
Please hit me up if you were recently accepted too and considering it. Exciting news :)
... and waitlisted today. But it's not a top choice for me, so I'm fine with it.
Schools are taking a long time this cycle. I applied Sept. 24 and went under review on Nov. 3.
Anyone else get an email of postponement? I'm trying to figure out if this is a new thing unique to this cycle because of the sheer volume of applicants. Instead of waitlisting me, they said my decision is going to be delayed until February and reviewed a second time. Please let me know if you're joining me in this peculiar boat.
Hi, J.Y. Just wondering if you have an ETA on the results. It's a nice distraction from waiting to hear back from schools. :smile:
thank you so much. it was worth holding off on the champagne until after the session. long live democracy!
Can't wait! :smile:
The waiting is already kinda killing me, though, if we're being honest. My husband and I got our lease renewal today...and because of me...we have no idea where the ideal place is for us to live based on where I'm going to start school. Anyone have a crystal ball? Patience is the superpower I would choose if someone were handing them out. How will I get through this?
do it! i highly recommend their admissions and essay consultants!
Hi, friends. I had this bookmarked so I wanted to reach out about my 0L prep in case anyone else is there now and looking for ideas on the matter.
I want to preface this by saying that I believe all of the law students and professors who have said there's no real way - and no real need - to prep for law school. I am positive that every 1L class is professor-specific, including the topics they focus on, which parts of those topics they emphasize and the writing style they prefer based on their past model exam answers. I get why people recommend just goofing off or enjoying the months leading up to it, especially because the workload will be so intense one you're out of the gate.
All that said, I feel the way @missvannavo762 felt when he started this post. Only more so. I've also had the privilege of tons of extra time for the whole process. I finished grad school in 2004 and became a newspaper editor. I was a good student and I loved it, but it's been forever. And I'm the kind of person who plans and prepares big-time. The earliest I'll start is May (Cardozo May entry), and otherwise it will be September.
When I decided to go to law school three years ago, a friend of mine (179 LSAT, shit you not) who graduated from Columbia in 2006 told me she wished she had read Planet Law School by Atticus Falcon (pseudonym). (I have no relation or stake in his books or ideas.) The latest version was written in 2003, but I can't imagine 1L classes have changed that much in the past 20 years. I mean, of course they have changed in practical ways like taking notes and exams with our laptops, but the core concepts, and how to think, write and evolve as a lawyer? Those seem fundamental. The book is massive. But not really. And the thing is, it emphasizes how professor-specific each course will be. It's more about how to be a good law student no matter what. I was so excited that I read the 820 pages over about a month in 2018. It's also a book about what books to get. And boy is it a big list. I am NOT recommending anyone do this whole list or cram for law school. I'm just saying, here's what I'm doing, because again, I had the privilege of extra time.
These books pair nicely with the 7Sage Law School Curriculum, and if it's a choice between the books and 7Sage, stick with 7Sage.
One thing I learned from the LSAT is to never obsess. I'm taking these lessons with a grain of salt, really just because I'm so curious about the law and I want to get my feet wet with the concepts. I know the real learning begins when I meet the professors. I'm not holding myself to any strict deadlines, and I'll never get through it all by April, but at that point I'll put the books away (saving them to consult once I know what my real courses are like) and party for a week in New Orleans. I'm also reading my dad's Stephen King books because he had so many, and I'll never read them once I start law school.
So I'm sorry to write such a long post on a 5-month-old thread, but if anyone wants to continue this on a new thread and read some of these books with me, hit me up. If you all just think I'm a complete nut after this, well that's a risk I'm finally willing to take. Just know I have no reason to share this other than to offer ideas. Most of these are available used and relatively cheap on Amazon. I splurged for the "Like New" ones.
Delaney: Learning Legal Reasoning (finished)
Learning Criminal Law as Advocacy Argument (finished)
How To Do Your Best on Law School Exams (finished)
Aspen: The Law of Torts (Glannon) (finished)
Contracts (Blum) (finished)
Constitutional Law--National Power and Federalism (May & Ides)
Civil Procedure (Glannon)
Property (Burke & Snoe)
ABA: The ABCs of the UCC, Articles 2 and 1 (in that order)
Phew. Our friend Atticus also recommends getting ALI Restatements for Contracts and Torts, but I regret that and see it as overboard. He also suggests getting a CALI Library of Lessons Account and checking out the LEEWs CDs. That I'm dabbling in.
In my specific case, getting on GW's WL so early is a good sign, since I'm exactly at their median GPA and 10 whole points below their median LSAT. I know that every school has a different philosophy, but I think (and pray) that means that my chances at the schools where my LSAT is closer to their median are pretty good. Even though we all know those two numbers are the starting point for every school, I'm confident that the softs do matter, and that showing our enthusiasm and passion can sometimes go a long way. I, too, submitted my LOCI, and it was received warmly, but I'm not counting on GW accepting me. But it's different because they are not my top choice, either. Your chances @kaatriana290 don't only depend on your application, they now depend on everything else that happens down the line, with the folks that have already been offered acceptance. We're living in a particularly volatile time, so my gut tells me we're in for a long ride this cycle, and it will only make us crazy to guess. One thing to consider, too, is that I don't think students admitted from the waitlist get much, if any, money, since they will have handed it all out to the already-admitted students. I could be wrong, and I'm not trying to bum you out, but for me, that is a huge consideration.
I've only heard back from one of 14 - - waitlisted at GW. But with my stats. that's actually really good news -- a sign that my application is fairly strong. I'm a New Yorker, but I applied to some other good schools in the Northeast just to make sure I have options. I'm smiling a big smile that a few of you responded. We're in this together now :smile:
I am juggling all of those things too, so I completely get it. Feel free to PM me.
I have to respectfully disagree, @dylanblair1005621. For me, the LSAT was much harder. I'm here for you if you want any app advice. Otherwise, do let me know once they're in so I can congratulate you!
Just reviving this post again to say that even though it seems like nothing exists besides the LSAT, the only time that E&E books really help is before you start - especially since that's the only time you'll have time for them. The Law School Explained videos on 7Sage are superior, but for those who like actual books, these Aspen E&Es are a good companion. They are for sale, and they did help me get good 1L grades. PM me if you're interested:
The Law of Torts (Glannon) 6th edition
Constitutional Law--National Power and Federalism (May & Ides) 3rd edition
Civil Procedure (Glannon) 8th edition
Property (Burke & Snoe) 6th edition