Hi all, just looking for any insight on what you think is possible/plausible/likely.

I just took my first diagnostic and scored a 158, then a 173 on the blind review. I still have 3 months until my actual test date. What type of score do you think I could or should be aiming for now that I know where I currently sit?

Thanks!

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!

Any 7Sagers studying in Vancouver area? Let's form a study group!

One of my conditional scholarships says that I have to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA. This is the grading scale:

A/A– No fewer than 8%

No more than 12%

A through B– No fewer than 45%

No more than 55%

C– and below No fewer than 8%

No more than 12%

About 66-68% of people have kept their scholarships over the past 3 years. Thoughts? It makes me nervous but I'm above the schools 75% cumulative GPA and LSAT so feel like I could do it?

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?

June'18 Study Group | Blind Review PT 70 | Tuesday, April 17th | 7:30 pm EST

https://media.giphy.com/media/yWS2itifUpxja/giphy.gif

Thank You Victoria for the gif to support the SG!!- @teamteamvicster (3(/p)

I hope you're ready or gearing up to start PTing for the June 2018 LSAT. Join us this Tuesday if you are finished with the CC.

Provisional Schedule: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=f3n8s2l60gkgm2ju8m8kk4vhn4@group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York

Note:

For everyone: take the PT under timed conditions; BR as you are able on your own; then join us for all or part of the call—everyone is welcome.

Note: For the purposes of the call, we like to check our group blind review score together at the very end of the call :) So at least don't say ... "No guys, really, it's D, I checked it.” KEEP THE CORRECT ANSWER TO YOURSELF. Win the argument with your reasoning.

These groups work best when folks from ALL stages of prep and with all different goals join in! Not just for "super-preppers" and definitely not just for the casual LSATer (does such a person exist?).

The only expectation anyone has for these calls is for you to have fun and ask questions as you desire. We are just a bunch of LSAT lovers who gather via GoToMeeting and intellectually slaughter each test.

Enter any questions you wish to go over on the spreadsheet below!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wLCip2bbWWD_h3WqGqBY6YaGPGdGQdSsr3gnphKYdxo/edit#gid=0

Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/851725797

You can also dial in using your phone.

United States: +1 (786) 535-3211

Access Code: 851-725-797

Joining from a video-conferencing room or system?

Dial: 67.217.95.2##851725797

Cisco devices: 851725797@67.217.95.2

First GoToMeeting? Let's do a quick system check: https://link.gotomeeting.com/system-check

June 18' Study Group Discord Link: https://discord.gg/kpGkYx6

Join when it is best for you in your studies! Look forward to Tues BR:)

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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.

Should I go to Hastings for basically full price or do Santa Clara for a half tuition scholarship. (also riding out the UC Davis waitlist)

Has anyone made their final decision on where to attend this fall? Let us know so we can cheer for you! Could use some vicarious joy to offset all the anxiety of this season.

So, tell us all where the 7sage diaspora is headed in August!

I have noticed that one of my biggest issues is the time it takes me to do an initial set up for a game. For example, on a target 9 minute game I will literally spend 4 minutes setting up the game and still realize that I am going to have to do hypos for a number of the questions. Any pointers?

http://blog.spiveyconsulting.com/predicting-the-2018-2019-law-school-admissions-cycle-2/

Finally, Spivey's thoughts on next cycle!

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.

n

So far I got into UCI with 60k and UIUC (illinois urbana champaign) with 108k.

In light of UCI posting a biglaw/fed percentage of 41 percent in 2017, I'm not sure if Its worth getting into more debt in UCI. UCI beat ucla and is edging close to usc. 2017 was the first graduating class after UCI its accreditation from ABA. I am not sure how sustainable thrse numbers are since their class size was exceptionally small that year at 96 and admissions officers in UCI told me they planned to increase them to 170 for the incoming class of 2021. The out of state tuition in Illinois is the same as the in state as UCI. My parents will help me with housing and I have some money saved up.

In terms of career goals, I wouldnt mind a non negligble chance at biglaw. At the same time, I'm open to public interest. What would you guys choose? For context, I'm in the process of negotiating with UCI and should hear back later in april. I am a california resident but wouldnt mind practicing out of state

Hey! So I have a few questions about things I should/should not include in my LOCI's...they are rather specific to my situation and I just want to see what people think about including them.

1.) Resident - As a resident of California attending these schools at a lower cost is something I consider heavily. My Post 9/11 G.I. Bill will also cover 2 full years of tuition WITHOUT the help of the school if I attend law school in California at a public school. Should I include this as a reason I'd commit to the school in my LOCI?

2.) No acceptances - As suggested by a couple users here, should I carefully mention that I've received no acceptances this year but am on many waitlists. Saying something how accepting me off the waitlist is likely to result in me being fully committed to their school. Obviously I would do this VARY carefully and not make it seem like a bribe....haha

Those are my two big ones; any thoughts on if I should include that stuff or not?

https://abovethelaw.com/2018/04/experts-say-the-future-of-law-school-is-looking-bleak/

If we thought that this application cycle was brutal, looks like we might be in for an increasingly competitive legal market in future years. According to this article, the employment data we are seeing may not be representative of how law schools will place their graduates in the near future, because these graduating class size of 2017 were smaller than past years.

The school I'll be attending this fall said I could increase my scholarship by improving my LSAT score (even by 1 point!). So... What do you guys suggest I do to increase my RC score in such a short period? I rock games (thank you FP method!) and LR is my second best section, but RC was averaging -12 when I was PTing before the Dec test... I run out of time AND miss questions on the passages I am able to get through.

My Ultimate + ran out about a month ago, but I have hard copies of most PTs and have the Starter to review CC.

Thanks!

There's a common questions type in RC where they ask you to predict the first sentence in the next paragraph (ex. PT7.S3.Q7 and PT1.S1.Q27)

I seem to be having trouble with this question type at a high level. What's the best strategic approach for these? And does anyone have a good resource for drilling this question type. #help

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