Upper 30s, 4 kids 8 & under and third career here : )
I also have a friend who did poorly on her LSATs bc she was working full time and had young kids and couldn’t work in lots of study time. She applied anyway and they asked about it in her interview. She explained it, was accepted, and is now a successful lawyer. Your score is just a tool to get in. Once in, it doesn’t matter anymore. So talk to admissions teams and look at data points.
And I totally get it. I’ve got 4 kids 8 & under. I’ve been studying for 1.5 years but had to take a break for a few months from burnout/migraines from how I was studying. I’ve also found a few friends who are willing to babysitting swap with me (or who have offered to take the kids so I can study more). We also put our 4yo in afternoon preschool this year so I could use that as study time because anytime I try to study after kids’ bedtime I inevitably fall asleep instead. It has taken me longer but I have seen a 10 point increase in my practice scores (and had a big jump after getting back into it after taking a 2 month break)
Have you reviewed application requirements at your target schools or looked at the consumer data points for recent accepted classes (required by bar association, and it tells you percentage accepted and LSAT score ranges… the one for my target school also shows LSAT scores and scholarships and I was pleasantly surprised the partial scholarship range). While 152 isn’t IVY League scholarship, if that isn’t your target schools then you might have more flexibility, even if just a few points higher. Especially if you’re targeting a school with a lot of second career students. They might have more flexibility on scores because they understand life can be like your situation and they value the life experience that comes with being an older law student.
I've been studying for a year now and am getting into my target range of upper 150s/breaking 160. The school I'm targeting is good but not crazy competitive so this will hopefully also get me in some scholarship range for an already affordable school. Take a short break, try a new study method (it's taken me switching through 3 others until I finally clicked with 7sage).
Have you looked at all of their consumer data? it should break down further from the general data that schools use in marketing materials. It's an ABA required disclosure and in a standard format so you should be able to find it with a general internet search or via the ABA website. it will break down GPAs and LSAT score percentiles, etc.
If the scholarship is your goal, it might be worth pushing back another year to boost your score, add some volunteer work to boost your resume/experience.
Has anyone used a virtual flashcard app? I've got a busy, hands-full life but have small pockets of time between shuffling kids around/errands in which I could squeeze in small study bites but don't want to bring a pocketful of old school flashcards everywhere. I could make my own and save as a digital file but I'd rather have something that could randomize them
I'm a bit late but am also interested in joining! I'm aiming for November or January
Hey momma! I'm a mom to 4 under 8, in my upper 30s and I'm studying for the LSAT now. I'm just starting my journey, too, but I have to say so far what has strengthened me the most is gathering my "tribe"of supporters. I know I'm going to need support to find equilibrium in my mom and student role but it has also really helped me to get that reinforcement of people who support me/believe in me. I've also found a local handful of moms also heading into law as their second career (and we're all aiming for the same law school, which has a decent non-traditional student population and support groups) and it has been wonderful to connect with people who just get it.
I don't have practical advice for boosting your score (that's why I'm here on 7sage!) but I'm always happy to connect with another mom heading on her law journey! feel free to drop me a DM :)