And I'm giving the side-eye back.

I'm not big on astrology, but with all of the hype about celestial happenings this summer (read: multiple supermoons mania), I came across that we're in Mercury Retrograde until October 9th. After falling down the stairs [sober] last week and then contracting one of the nastiest colds I've ever had this week, all I can say is "cheers" to October 3rd. If I ever take the LSAT again (hopefully never again), then I'll make sure to avoid Mercury Retrograde. Unless of course Mercury is trying to tell me that I shouldn't go to law school, ever.

Has anyone taken the LSAT on Dayquil before? Haaaaaa

Hi All,

What's the general consensus on PTing up until test date? 2-5 PTs a week? 1 PT per week?

Hi All,

I recently reached out to an undergrad professor, with whom I had the closest relationship due to completing a scholarly research project my senior year. Here's the response:

"I could only write a very short letter stating that you were an outstanding undergraduate student who took courses from me more than seven years ago at a former university. I will not be able to speak to anything having to do with xxx law. "

I was bracing myself for the response. It's actually a little better than I initially expected, but...doesn't sound like it will help much?

I'm starting to think that it would be better to reach out to a grad prof, even though Admissions doesn't seem to think that grad school amounts to much? Otherwise, I might have to jump ship altogether and ask a previous supervisor in my industry. Two of the schools to which I'm applying do accept employer letters for non-traditional students. Do you think that this may be the "safer" route?

Any thoughts on the situation? I'm honestly not even sure how to respond to the person I quoted above. Thanks for taking the time to respond, but no thanks?

Hi All,

My beau is in the process of applying for jobs all over the place. Previously, I had thought that we would stay put in Chicago, which is why I was going to focus on LUC and Chicago Kent (ahem, and roll the dice on NU).

Any tips on trying to figure out applying to schools in various locations? My guy is a scientist, so the whole job search process is really topsy turvy, so I feel like I'm in a situation where I just have to cast a bunch of apps & figure things out from there. I didn't really expect to be in this situation. Adventure time? It's kind of overwhelming to try to pump myself up for a major score jump in the LSAT with the idea of applying to a bunch of schools that I'm unable to figure out, except in the virtual world.

Thanks, all!

Hi All,

Lots of people have nervous habits. We have the biters, scratchers, sighers, snifflers, pickers, chompers, mutterers, blinkers, tappers, grimacers, finger-flutterers, foot-jigglers, and so on...

I shall confess here that I'm a picker. It's most pronounced when I'm testing. If I'm on a particularly stressful question, I may pick a scab or a piece of dry skin so hard that I start bleeding a little. Besides good ol' medication (which as we know isn't a magic bullet and can affect our mental sharpness), what are some tips on how to calm these behaviors down during the LSAT?

I was inspired to write this post as I just finished a LG section and realized that my forehead and parts of my neck are inflamed (91% correct makes it worth it though, right?). Time to go clip my nails...

Hi All,

I'm reaching out to see if you all have any tips on how to manage your study time when you're working full-time and in a committed relationship. I'm shacked up with my partner, who also works full-time, and even though he's quite supportive of me taking the LSAT [again], it sure seems hard to just come home every day after my 9-to-5 (often 8-to-7) and completely ignore that I'm in a long-term relationship. Then there are the weekends...

Considering that the LSAT is not a cakewalk, I've realized lately that I'm letting my studying fall by the wayside due to the guilt of ignoring my beau. My situation was very different when I studied for the GRE & applied to grad school, so this is new territory for me.

Thoughts? Am I just making major excuses to avoid studying (due to the fear of sucking on LSAT #2) or are there others out there who have grappled with a similar situation?

(No, I'm not ditching my guy for the LSAT, thank you!)

I got my Oct score last night while waiting for my luggage at the airport. That was fun.

I wanted to say a hearty "thank you" to everyone who kindly responded to my various posts during my six-month stretch of studying on 7Sage.

I earned five more points on my scaled score this time around compared to my rushed Dec 2013 LSAT, so it is true that you can improve your score, even though the experts usually say it's not and that you might actually do worse.

Even though my score isn't HYS-material, I'm going to run with it this time because I have a strong uGPA, leadership history in my industry, and perhaps most importantly - an interesting (hopefully convincing) story to tell about how I can bring more to the healthcare industry as a lawyer and/or compliance leader.

My plan is to apply to Loyola Chicago and probably Chicago Kent, which both either have a certificate or concentration in Health Law. Depending on my fate, maybe I can try to transfer after 1L to get back into the NU system, but then again, they don't have a Health Law concentration. :)

I don't think that cramming for the Dec LSAT will help boost my score by much, and so I'll have to make some tough decisions when it comes to how much funding is offered to me - if/when I get in.

It's been quite the journey, and it's not over yet. Thanks again to all who responded to my cries for help. And best of wishes to all of those shooting for the stars, and to those of us who think that the horizon is plenty fine. :)

Hi All,

As October 3rd approaches, I've been pondering my fate quite a bit (this will be my second crack at the LSAT since taking it for the first time in 2013).

One of my "values" or "goals" in life is to be relatively location independent. One of the reasons is because my partner is a scientist and has slimmer job prospects throughout the world compared to me [in my current profession in allied health].

So, seemingly just in time to make me even more confused, I came across an article that advertised Legal Nomads (.com), which is basically the story of a young lady lawyering in NYC and then quitting the gig to travel the world.

My question is - have you ever heard of ANYONE having relative flexibility to continue working in the legal field while marrying their love of travel (okay, and/or frequent relocation)?

My current goal is to pursue a law degree with a healthcare certificate, as that's my background, and I feel strongly as both a clinician and director in my field that I have the chops to make some changes in the increasingly complicated field.

That being said, International Law sounds super sexy and may be more aligned with my dream of traveling/relocating, but I have no poli sci background. Maybe there's a way to fuse Healthcare Law with a sprinkle of International Law to broaden my employability across regions and nations?

(I'll leave the dream of being an entrepreneur for a later date)

Hi All,

I'm about 20% through 7Sage's course, and I've learned quickly that the format for the majority of the lessons isn't "sticking" for me because I'm a visual learner. The lessons that have transcripts and/or are just written, I do just fine comprehending. I've found that I have the videos on 1.2x to 1.4x speed because I don't have the patience to listen to all of the extraneous info, side comments, and attempts at humorous jibber jabber. In other words, I'm struggling because I don't feel like the majority of the foundational lessons are well-scripted and tend to ramble than rather get straight to the point. I have neither the time nor attention span for ramblings.

Any tips on getting through the rest of the material? I was disappointed to find that as I continued through the course there are little-to-no transcripts, as compared with the earlier lessons. I'm getting really discouraged, and I'm starting to default back to PowerScore at this point. I feel that as I try to push myself to really tune into the lessons, the more I lose attention to task. To give you a better idea, I don't listen to talk radio because it induces sleep (especially at the wheel...). Help!!!

Hi All,

I'm a reader. I love reading. However, I'm finding that my mind is wandering somewhat out of control (most likely due to anxiety, not boredom) with Reading Comp. I'm concerned that on test day, the same will happen. I did take the LSAT back in 2013, but I don't really remember my RC experience. (I will look back at my score to see how I did, though).

What are some tips for increasing stamina/endurance? I feel like RC is becoming a [soy] hot dog eating contest for my brain.

Let me add - I'm not talking about reading speed, as this is not an issue, but rather timely comprehension and retention.

#2 Additional thought - I'm finding that my mind wanders with the abstract stories, rather than the more concrete stuff, such as stories about paintings, trees and animals, and Native Americans.

One technique that I've been considering is flipping through the passages and moving on immediately from the flowers and butterflies and attacking the [personally] harder stuff first and then returning to the flowers and butterflies. Thoughts on that?

Hi All,

I seem to have a bit of a conundrum with regards to "prestige" and applying to law school. I feel an internal pressure to try to make into one of the T14, even though my confidence has been squashed to probably 1/10* (10 being borderline optimistic egomaniac).

I earned my bachelor's from Loyola U Chicago & master's from Northwestern. It sounds silly and perhaps pompous, but I almost feel as though if I don't make it into one of the T14, then I'm a pretty big failure and will be going "backwards" in my education/career. However, I do have some interest in Loyola Health Law (cert program is in the top 10 of the country), but ultimately I still have the little gremlin telling me that it's still not good enough.

Anyone feel me?

I have a friend of a friend who transferred from Yeshiva & finished his undergrad at Columbia, and then he went to Cordoza (Yeshiva) for law school. He feels similarly blah about not doing LS at one of the T14, even though he's working in Big IP Law in NYC and is doing *just fine.*

Thoughts, anyone? Really for me, since I've worked professionally for a good six years after grad school, I know that what I need is a "good fit." I've done the prestige thing in the working world, and at the end of the day, it doesn't really make a difference in my quality of life and current career prospects. I'm just worrying that switching from healthcare to law is a completely different ball game and I'll regret not trying to make it into at least one T14.

((*I took the LSAT in 2013 at a horrible time in my life and earned what I consider to be a horrific score. Because of the stress, brain melt, and fatigue from my current full-time work situation, I'm concerned that I'll only make it by a few more points in October. To give some perspective, I feel that I need to jump an extra 20-25 points on my next LSAT to even think about considering applying to any T14.))

Hi All,

Do you have any recs on what templates from the interwebs are great for giving to professional colleagues who are happy to write a letter of recommendation? And for that matter, for professors in general? Or is it better to just give them a short diddy of why you're awesome and why you want to go to law school (and become a lawyer) and trust that they'll figure it out themselves?

Thanks

Hi All,

I'm happy to report that I received an email on Friday that I was accepted to one of the schools to which I applied. I'm waiting to hear on another, and I'm considering applying to another one or two.

I decided to go the mental check-out route after submitting my apps, meaning that I didn't allow myself to think much about it or obsess over receiving an answer. The good news is that it only took about 10 business days for my first answer.

That being said, this is where I feel like sh*t gets real. I have to look at the annual sticker price of ~$44k in the face and decide how I'm going to figure this out. I'm at a point where I feel like it's not worth doing this, unless I cover at least half or two-thirds of tuition with scholarships and fellowships. I've already paid (cash or fed loans) nearly $100k for my bachelor's and master's (yay for free community college associate's).

I'm in the process of submitting for a health fellowship (which was the meat of my personal statement), as well as other internal/external scholarships.

What are your thoughts on deciding whether or not to go at all, once accepted? The point of going to law school for me is to

a) prepare for a career that I feel better suits me intellectually and

b) alter my career trajectory in healthcare (I've been in allied health for almost a decade now, and would prefer to be on the other side, fixing a rather broken system which affects my patients, and me, as a clinician).

Any thoughts appreciated. I didn't get into HYS, and nor do I think that it's necessary for my career goals at this point. The schools to which I'm applying rank better than whatever #85 is right now.

Hi All,

I've heard a few perspectives about using PTs in different ways for studying for the Big Day. Considering that my full-time job is unpredictable (I may have to work 10-11 hour days without being notified until 4p each day), I was thinking recently that in order to prep for the October LSAT, it may be just more reasonable for me to "churn" through the PTs untimed (e.g., after work if I'm not fried, during lunch, on the weekend, etc.) and then "re-take" them with the proctor app on the weekends.

I've heard some people argue that it's a bad idea to use the same material twice (or more) because you may "remember" certain questions/answers, which would ultimately skew your score. However, we don't have an infinite number of PTs published, so there's not really somewhere else that I can "go" for additional testing/practice materials. The intent would be that I don't necessarily take the same PT on the weekend that I worked on casually during the workweek, so there would be very little chance of short-term memory transference.

Ideally, I wanted to take a timed LSAT each Saturday up until October, but I'm more worried about actually digging into the PTs to diagnose weaknesses and then circle back on 7Sage material, rather than making my way through the entire course (I bought the mid-range package) and jamming a bunch of PTs into my life right before October and freaking out about how much I suck.

Any thoughts from people in a similar situation [or not]?

Thanks

While struggling to study during the morning hours this week (for Oct 3rd), I had to wonder if anyone has taken LSAC to task for always offering the LSAT in the morning. I'm a night owl who usually doesn't conk out until the 11p-12a mark. This is my nature, even as a wee one. My "power hours" are most often in the afternoon.

That being said, for the other night owls out there, how are you preparing for test day? Are you going all in and temporarily resetting your circadian rhythm? Testing out various caffeinated concoctions in the morning (quite a balance between a quick boost and jittery-anxiety)? Surrendering to the wind?

Hi All,

I did the whole community college thing for two years before transferring to uni (hey it was 100% FREE & I racked up a bunch of free $ w/ transfer scholarships). Am I "lying" if I don't include the information on my resume? I don't think that LSAC even has room on the app portion for a college before a bachelor's. I've since removed the degree from my professional resume because it doesn't really matter since I now have a professional degree (but will always be in my heart....awwww).

Thanks

http://www.stardem.com/opinion/columns/article_c66025c0-4243-55a0-a74d-e30a47881eee.html

Thoughts?

Even though I don't envision myself going into Big Law, I find this kind of writing extremely discouraging and then start to question my own sanity in this entire process.

I already bill by the minute in my current healthcare profession, and I don't want to be trapped in the same situation going forward. The whole point for me is to get out of this trap and hopefully make some changes with my legal education in hand for the wheel-spinners (i.e., providers) and those who are spinning (i.e., the patients!).

...go to law school.

This includes alumni and current faculty in my region. They say that everything is way too saturated.

Besides the LSAT-takers and aspiring law school students, WHO these days is saying "go to law school?"

Hi Everyone,

I'm curious to hear about any stories of significant score improvement. When I say significant, I mean a good 10-15+ point improvement in score (not raw). I took the LSAT in 2013 after cramming for 45 days and during a major time of transition (quit my toxic full-time job, started my own contracting business that sometimes involved driving 120mi daily, relocated, etc.).

Yes, 45 days was dumb. My equation was that I self-studied for the GRE for about the same amount of time and got into the #1 ranked school (at the time) for my master's.

GRE ≠ LSAT

As you may imagine, my score was relatively disastrous and three points less than my lowest expected (hoped for?) score. I'm planning to sign up for the October LSAT, and I'm not feeling very confident. I have yet to apply to any law school.

Thanks

Hi All,

While I'm trying to get pumped (in the mood?) for the October LSAT, I keep ruminating about part-time versus full-time enrollment. I'd love to hear your thoughts regarding the difference and any feedback regarding my thought process:

Full-time Pros

*Full immersion in the classroom & ancillary activities

*Perhaps better scholarships

*Perhaps better connections & experiences

*Perhaps better job prospects

*Perhaps a faster track to the JD (e.g. NU has an accelerated JD)

Full-time Cons

*Little-to-no income (therefore, much reliance on my partner, assuming that he still likes me by then)

*Less time for personal/work/study balance

*Sticker price (aka potential for massive student debt)

*Blow to confidence if I attempt admission with a lower LSAT score (think under 170), even with solid uGPA

Part-time Pros

*Balance life/work/study potentially better

*Continue to work on-call/contractor to help with tuition (to provide an idea, I make roughly $50/hr on-call and $85-100/home visit as a healthcare provider)

*Perhaps feel less rushed in school

*Perhaps easier chance of enrollment with lower LSAT score (think: under 170, including solid uGPA)

*Perhaps easier to make & feed/water a baby, if that's what we want to do (I'm 32 next year. Dude will be 35)

Part-time Cons

*Perhaps less/no scholarships

*Perhaps poor-to-no job prospects

*Perhaps poor connections & experiences

*Perhaps less recognition/respect

*4ish years to get to the JD

Side note on why I'm even considering part-time app/enrollment:

I spent nearly $100k (including scholarships/loans) on my master's from NU in allied health. My bachelor's cost me much less, as I earned an associate's first and then took advantage of transfer scholarships. Mommy & Daddy didn't pay for college, unless you count my birthday & Xmas cash as student loan payback.

Although I currently make six figs, one of the reasons why I'm pursuing law school is that I've concluded that I no longer find my career path fulfilling, for multiple reasons. I've attempted a few times making changes to my path, but I always come to the same conclusion...I'm bored, incredibly unhappy, and miss using my brain in ways that I feel that the legal field will fulfill.

If I can continue to work as a clinician while going to law school part-time, I feel that I may have more stability in reducing income stress & tuition payments, rather than going into more massive debt. However, my biggest fear is that enrolling part-time will absolutely crush career prospects.

These are just my initial thoughts that keep swimming around in my head (tormenting me as I twist my mind around LR). Thoughts, ruminations, and arguments welcome.

Thanks!

Hi All,

This is my first post here. I have a master's degree and have worked in a professional position for about six years (I'm freshly 31). I haven't taken a university course since 2008, and so I have a big span of time where I've no longer been a student. However, I have kept in contact with a few profs from undergrad and grad school.

My question is - how does someone like me handle letters of recommendation? I currently have the best boss that I've ever had, but I'm hesitant to a) reveal to this person that I'm working on exiting my current career path in 2016 and b) ask for a LOR, in light of the person losing me as an employee.

Is it better to just request LORs from previous professors? I have a few who would be willing, but it just seems odd to request a letter from a prof who oversaw my student work in 2006...Unfortunately, I have a history of "challenging" bosses, and so my current boss is the only one I feel would be relatively appropriate for a LOR.

Worst case...would a LOR from a colleague or direct report suffice? Kind of sounds odd...but I'm throwing it out there.

Please help!

Thank you

I still find it intriguing that there is more weight placed on my performance in undergrad, versus grad school, so now I have to wonder: is it better to submit a LOR from an undergrad prof versus a grad prof, even though I've been out of undergrad for -- eegads -- almost a decade!?!

What say you?

I've been reading a bit lately about the "attractiveness" of splitters. How does being a splitter work in relation to T14 or hey...15-75ish? Does high GPA and lowerish LSAT usually mean waitlist/reject, or can it sometimes mean foot-in-the-door for T14 if you rock your personal statement and other soft stuff?