I'm a newbie, and will be doing my diagnostic this Saturday. I decided not to sign up for June because I need the maximum results from my studying. September is probably a safer bet for the best results, based on what others have said. I'm considering taking the December or February exams. It depends on how I feel about my progress as those months approach. If my PTs are stellar and I feel extremely confident in my strategy and understanding of what's on the test, then I will go for it. However, I also want to nail my personal statement and I work full time.

While I don't particularly want to be studying forever for this exam, I like the way 7sage gives me access for months, vs. 1500 for two months at other courses. Also, I think longer-term studying with less cramming gives me the best results. Pacing myself will feel relatively stress-free, opposed to chasing down a 2 month deadline.

I plan to do the opposite actually - follow 7Sage first and then if I have issues not being resolved through the course, I may consult a private tutor for a few sessions.

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Thanks for sharing; I am interested to hear responses. I too will be a splitter (3.5 GPA) when I apply as I'm trying to get into a T10 school and most of those want 3.7s and above.

Good luck! I think your GPA is probably fine, as long as your LSAT score is great. You have a much better chance than I do anyway lol A friend of mine recently got into Columbia. I didn't ask her numbers, but I think I remember her saying her GPA was around 3.6 in another conversation

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Sounds like you've already done some research in terms of job prospects and what the law school application process would look like, and made a smart decision for yourself to take some time off--so props for that :)

As you mentioned, you'd need killer recs, a great personal statement and addendums etc. But what I'd recommend is putting in A LOT of effort into your LSAT. I'm sure you know this already but your LSAT and GPA are the biggest determinants for law school acceptances. Since at this point, your GPA is already set and can't be changed, why not put in the appropriate time and effort into something so important? And remember, it is possible to improve greatly on the LSAT with the appropriate foundation and prep!! With a solid LSAT you can even potentially look past T3/T4 schools (which would increase your options, job networks etc) and even if that's not what you want, a great LSAT can help with scholarships from schools as well. There have definitely been splitters from 7Sage who are in T14 schools now. Whatever you decide to do, best of luck on your law school admissions journey-- we're all in this together!

Thanks :)

Yes, I’m finally going to take the diagnostic this Saturday. I’m debating on taking the LSAT in December or even possibly waiting until early 2018. I only want to take the LSAT once, when I’m as comfortable and confident as I can be. (I read some schools average your scores.)

I’m considering the Ultimate+ package, which takes significantly longer to complete, based on the sample schedules. I can’t do 20 hr study weeks, as I work and commute between cities. 10-12 hr. per week is more reasonable for me. And I don’t want to rush through or cram.

Do you recommend the Ultimate as a first step? Or should I start with Premium first and upgrade, if needed. I would like the more difficult test questions included. However, I’m not sure if that’s necessarily worth the money, if there are explanations for all the PT questions.

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If you haven't read this before : work experience and years distanced from your GPA is the best thing you can do. I would recommend working 2+ years if you haven't already. SKip going K-JD and work. One of two things happens : 1. you realize you are fine without going to law school. Excellent. Save yourself the stress and debt. or 2. You save up some money, get a perspective on the real working world, and distance yourself from your gpa (and increase your softs/ability to be marketed as a good worker).

If top schools are a long shot, you need to pick a school in the market that you plan on working. If you want to work in DC, pick a school near there that has hiring statistics that prove they place lawyers where you want to end up. As you said, hustle and network your ass off. If you go to a regional school that isn't ranked but finish top 10% you shouldn't have any problems finding work. I'm a super splitter myself, so I will wish you good luck (I know we both need it).

Saving money is definitely a consideration. Honestly, thinking about debt is probably the most significant reason I didn’t apply right after school. I have friends who have this passion for going to law school, and don’t seem nearly as occupied by the thought/obsessive research into the debt, how people are paying off the debt, jobs, etc. I thought something was wrong with me for the longest time. (Do they just want it more than I do?) But I think this is just my personality, and it's important either way.

I’ve been living at home with my parents because AmeriCorps pays along the federal poverty line, and I didn't want the added stress, which is why I commute to DC now. In the event that I decide to end the torture and move out during law school, depending on where the school is located, I can still save up 20-30K to help repay the debt for some living expenses. It's not enough, but it's something.

@ said:

If you haven't read this before : work experience and years distanced from your GPA is the best thing you can do. I would recommend working 2+ years if you haven't already. SKip going K-JD and work. One of two things happens : 1. you realize you are fine without going to law school. Excellent. Save yourself the stress and debt. or 2. You save up some money, get a perspective on the real working world, and distance yourself from your gpa (and increase your softs/ability to be marketed as a good worker).

If top schools are a long shot, you need to pick a school in the market that you plan on working. If you want to work in DC, pick a school near there that has hiring statistics that prove they place lawyers where you want to end up. As you said, hustle and network your ass off. If you go to a regional school that isn't ranked but finish top 10% you shouldn't have any problems finding work. I'm a super splitter myself, so I will wish you good luck (I know we both need it).

Good luck to you! :)

That makes me feel slightly better. I really don’t feel my GPA is any indication of my capabilities or my growth since then.

I’ll have at least 3 years of post-college work experience, 4 years if I apply for admission to the fall 2019 class, in addition to two government internships at the end of college and a gap year teaching English abroad. I notice that my grades improved after I started interning, for whatever reason. I’m also involved running a chapter of a political organization and community revitalization initiatives. 2 of those 4 years of work were with AmeriCorps, so I’ve demonstrated public service and interest in nonprofit development (mostly grant writing). And I randomly helped run a start-up-stage farmers market in a food dessert in my city. I’ll keep building my narrative and hope someone throws me a few crumbs. lol

AmeriCorps opens a lot of opportunities for significant scholarships outside of law. Brandeis has a half-tuition scholarship guaranteed for all AmeriCorps for some programs, for example. So I will take advantage of those opportunities and continue my thoughts of MPP+MBA, if law doesn’t work out.

Argument 1:

Not every state is Republican. After all, there are many states dominated by primarily Democratic legislatures.

Argument 2:

All employees of The Good Organization must eat lunch every day. Those who arrive at the cafeteria by 12 PM have the option of steak or fish entrees. Employees who don't arrive until 1 PM will only have vegetarian soup. No outside food will be allowed, in support of their culinary staff. George was caught up in a last minute meeting when Suzie left her desk at 12:30 PM to join a coworker for lunch. When she noticed George in the cafeteria later, he had a bowl of soup on his lunch tray. Therefore, George didn't make it to the cafeteria until 1 PM or later.

Argument 3:

The bathroom light is on and there is hair all over the tub, along with moisture from someone's recent shower. Just outside the bathroom, roommate Jenny is sitting in the living room on the couch, wearing the robe she usually wears after a shower. My assumption is that Jenny is the guilty party, having left the shower dirty, so she could catch up on Love Island and eat dinner.