SuFu Law School?

[snickersnicker]

Maybe kind of a long shot, but since it seems like many people on here are college-age...

I've got a little bit left of undergrad, but have been preparing for the LSAT for a while now. Got a 170 on a recent exam after toiling in the 164 - 167 range for a month or two, which I'm pretty excited about. Assuming I do relatively well on my actual test (if I don't I'll take a year off and retake it), I'm hoping to go to a top fourteen. I don't want to live in NYC or anywhere in California and probably couldn't get into Yale or Harvard, so it pretty much limits me to Georgetown, UChicago and Cornell...maybe UVA or UPenn. I'll be visiting the campuses of most of the northeastern/Atlantic T14s sometime in the next year or so, so maybe I'll change my mind about the NY schools. Wherever I go, I'm hoping to focus on international law and end up with a job in the Department of State, though doing work for a nonprofit or something along those lines would be pretty rewarding too.

So, who attended/currently attends/will attend law school? Where did you go, what did you specialise in, and how did you like it?

[big balla]

You ever go to xoxohth.com? Check that site out. There are a few racist trolls that fuck it up, but the conversation and info is cool when you do get it.

Even though I have yet to take the test myself, I'd say figure out what schools you want to go after you receive your LSAT score. Also, some say if you are scoring in the high 160's, expect a few points lower on the actual test. So perhaps you might want to test in the 170's more consistently till you do take the actual test. But I'm with you man. T14 or BUST!!!

[snickersnicker]

You ever go to xoxohth.com? Check that site out. There are a few racist trolls that fuck it up, but the conversation and info is cool when you do get it.

Even though I have yet to take the test myself, I'd say figure out what schools you want to go after you receive your LSAT score. Also, some say if you are scoring in the high 160's, expect a few points lower on the actual test. So perhaps you might want to test in the 170's more consistently till you do take the actual test. But I'm with you man. T14 or BUST!!!

I currently post at LawSchoolDiscussion.org and people are pretty helpful there. I'll check that site out though, probably closer to my actual test date.

Regarding the LSAT score, I'm pretty sure it will go up. I've got a year before my exam date, and I'm pretty ardent when it comes to studying, so I'm not too worried. There was a period earlier this summer where I took an LSAT every other day, and did a few LG sections on the days I didn't take one...I've actually taken three full timed LSATs in one day once. I take this shit way too seriously considering it's so far away, but I don't think that's a bad thing. My target score is a 173, but anything above 167 will be acceptable. Like I said, if I don't score high enough to get into the schools I want, or end up having a bad application cycle despite a good score, I'll definitely be retaking.

I usually only miss one or two reading comprehension questions, two or three logical reasoning questions per section, and five or six logic game questions. However, since I picked up the Powerscore Logic Games Bible, I've been doing SO much better on LG. I've actually gone through a couple timed LG sections from early-90s exams (when LG was next-level hard) and gotten every single question correct. I still need to get my timing down, since on actual full timed exams (that is, all four scored sections) I usually end up having to guess on three or four. Still, that book is extremely helpful. I've noticed my LR scores dropping lately, so I might pick up the LR Bible they make as well.

I'm a pretty good test taker (have never gotten lower than an A- on a college exam thus far) and don't really get stressed about big exams, so I don't think I'll do too much worse on the actual thing than I do on practice tests. As long as I get into Georgetown, probably the easiest of the T14 to get into aside from Cornell, I'll be happy. Although I know LSAT score is what matters the most, I have a feeling my GPA and level of volunteer work/student activity/etc will push me over the line at some schools. One of my professors is working on getting a paper of mine published in an international relations journal, too, which would be a big boost. If only I were a minority...

Assuming you do decent, where would you most like to attend?

[CBM]

Current in my second year of a bachelor or laws at the university of queensland.

Also, doing a bachelor or journalism.

Love journalism, hate law but i am committed.

[snickersnicker]

The law degree in Australia is totally different from elsewhere in the world (well, at least the US, Canada and the UK). Here it's a three (or four) year graduate programme after you receive your bachelor (or whatever else you receive above that).

[CBM]

Yeah, i know. They are bringing that system into one of the universities at melbourne (UMelb?) now, i think.

[ericdw]

don't do it. i've already billed 37 hours this week. and it's monday. 140 hours this month. last saturday was the first day i haven't worked more than 12 hours each day in the past 3 weeks.

first day of a huge trial. i was lucky enough to leave the office tonight, instead of sleeping there like last week. but i'm waiting for another assignment, which i will be doing all night. and will repeat every night for the 5 weeks that the trial is scheduled for.

don't do it.

don't do it.

don't do it.

[snickersnicker]

I've heard that from most people doing BigLaw work. From those I've talked to doing government stuff, it's not quite as bad. It's pretty much the only thing I want to do.

[soap]

I have been admitted to a bunch of schools in the US and Canada...decided on Osgoode in Toronto (where I live). I guess I don't have much advice about the law school experience yet

In terms of applying to t14's, you will need that 170+. I applied to a bunch of top schools in the US...my stats were 3.64 and 170.

I was waitlisted at Harvard, Columbia...rejected at Duke, and admitted to NYU, Georgetown, Mich, Cornell. The GPA works a little different coming from Canadian universities, but that is what it worked out to via LSAC. I also got into U of Toronto, Osgoode and Queens in Canada.

If you have a high GPA, Duke is somewhere I would check out. If your GPA isn't so great, Georgetown seems to like the LSAT a lot more, so concentrate on getting a good score...i visited both campuses and they were great.

I am planning on practicing in Canada, so I decided to accept in Toronto and save $40,000 and maybe go to NYU for my last couple years.

[soap]

I've heard that from most people doing BigLaw work. From those I've talked to doing government stuff, it's not quite as bad. It's pretty much the only thing I want to do.

Just to add...I wouldn't worry all that much about a T 14 if you are solely interested in working for the government. T14 is only really important if you want to work at big firms

[snickersnicker]

If you have a high GPA, Duke is somewhere I would check out. If your GPA isn't so great, Georgetown seems to like the LSAT a lot more, so concentrate on getting a good score...i visited both campuses and they were great.

I am planning on practicing in Canada, so I decided to accept in Toronto and save $40,000 and maybe go to NYU for my last couple years.

Right now I've got a 4.00 (the highest you can get at a public university in the states), and I'll probably finish between a 3.90 and 4.00. I don't think I could attend Duke...it's a little too far south for me, as is UVa, probably. I love the cold and am pretty much only comfortable in sixty degree or below weather. I've actually considered attending LS at UToronto since I love that city and have a pretty huge interest in hockey (hate the Leafs, though). One of my professors attended McGill and highly recommends it, even over UT. Since I want to do US government work, though, it's really not worth it to attend anywhere outside the US.

Just to add...I wouldn't worry all that much about a T 14 if you are solely interested in working for the government. T14 is only really important if you want to work at big firms

I've spoken to a lot of people about it, and it seems like the sort of jobs I'd like to apply for (stuff with the US Department of Near Eastern Affairs; Democracy and Global Affairs; Office of the Legal Advisor; Department of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour; etc) require either graduation from a top LS like Columbia/NYU/Yale/Georgetown, or distinguishing work within the field of international law. Wherever I attend, I will definitely try to write for their international law journal, but it definitely can't hurt to go to a top school. If I got offered a big scholarship at a place like George Washington U, which certainly isn't a slouch in th field, I miiight take it.

[High Monika]

don't do it.

I've heard that from most people doing BigLaw work. From those I've talked to doing government stuff, it's not quite as bad. It's pretty much the only thing I want to do.

I'm doing law work for the government. Don't for a SECOND pretend you know what's going on. I'm not trying to be condescending just realistic. Get an internship, ask a current or retired employee, ANYTHING that will get you accurate information. If you don't have real passion for the law, I don't suggest it. I'm seriously considering dropping out. Money might not be worth a life of boredom and anger.

[snickersnicker]

My girlfriend's uncle worked in the DoJ for nearly a decade, and then eight years as a prosecutor for Wayne County. He said it was tough, but incomparable to the work he did in a MidLaw firm and then now in his own practice. What are you doing, and in what office? Either way, I'm pretty passionate about what I want to do. The only other thing I could imagine doing would be going into academia, but I wouldn't really feel like I was contributing much doing that.

[High Monika]

It's great you really know what you want to do. I won't try to dissuade you from it. Sorry but I'd prefer not to divulge too much info on my personal life. Hope your school choice works out.

[snickersnicker]

i am a member of TLS.com and attending Georgetown.

holla.

How do you like it there (or are you not attending until the fall)? I've visited DC before, and though I usually don't like the big city vibe, something about it clicked and I loved it. I only spent like a few hours in the Georgetown area, and didn't get to see the law school at all (since it's in a different part of town). I like that GT has a wide range of subjects it ranks highly in, instead of having one or two main focuses and being mediocre in the rest. The "Curriculum B" also seems like a really good idea. Also, if you don't mind sharing, numbers/URM status/soft factors/etc?

[snickersnicker]

Bump. Also, got a 171 last night!

[panicnation]

Currently in my 2nd year at a lawschool in Singapore.

Like many of my friends, I'm not certain if I want to make practice my career. That said, the education itself, whilst admittably tough, is incredibly stimulating and rewarding.

Any practicing lawyers wanna share their experiences?

[tmadd]

Bump and Subscribed? Where is everyone that is posting on this one at with LSAT prep etc? I just finally decided I am going to pursue the law school route, so I have been plugging along with my Kaplan Premium Guide...I am starting to feel like maybe it was a waste of money. Who has recommendations for books for after I finish the Kaplan program?

[alterion]

Currently starting my second year at Cambridge university doing law in the UK, here in the UK the system is kind of different as law is an academic 3 year undergraduate degree followed by a 1 year sponsored vocational course and 1-2 years of on the job training.

I feel for all you people doing LSAT.

I have a theory that the main reason law is a graduate qualification in the US is because your legal drinking age is 21 and no-one can survive law school without easy access to alcohol C/D?

[Rachid]

I am starting my third year at Aix en Provence Law school in France

[avatar]

how the fuck did you get rejected from "we give priority track and autoadmit to every 3.5+ 166+ to go to our shithole school" duke?

3.65/172, full ride to t10, ask away

[jjkchung]

reviving an old thread...

how'd people do?

anyone here applying to canadian schools?

[prokart]

ok yea seriously im panicking now....

im currently doing east asian studies and history double major and communication minor at McGill in montreal and being f-ked in the ass big time. Hopefully by the end of university i can have a 3.2 GPA.

So my only chance is LSAT now and im only considering non YHS t-14 in the states and Osgoode, U toronto and UBC in Canada

am i doomed?

[ericdw]

if you're "hoping" for get your gpa up to a 3.2, better start looking a lot lower than non-t14. think non-top 50 with everyone and their mother going to law school

but as i've said before in another lawschool thread: i'm a practicing lawyer in biglaw. DON'T DO IT.

[16steps]

ericdw:

you're gonna have to expand on that last statement

[super]

ok yea seriously im panicking now....

im currently doing east asian studies and history double major and communication minor at McGill in montreal and being f-ked in the ass big time. Hopefully by the end of university i can have a 3.2 GPA.

So my only chance is LSAT now and im only considering non YHS t-14 in the states and Osgoode, U toronto and UBC in Canada

am i doomed?

My LSAT instructor got like a 3.3 GPA and went to USD with some money so I wouldn't say you have necessarily terribad chances. Though he did have like a 172 LSAT score and he just graduated last year.

I'd say try to shoot for the highest LSAT score you can get.

As for me, my GPA is like a 3.53 and I'm terribad at LSATs so I'm probably going to settle for lower T1 and maybe some T2.

but as i've said before in another lawschool thread: i'm a practicing lawyer in biglaw. DON'T DO IT.

How's biglaw treating ya? 14 hr work days but lots of $$$ to cop jawns concept?

[ericdw]

ericdw:

you're gonna have to expand on that last statement

i'm at work now. and i'll be here all weekend. that should be enough expansion.

[derek_]

Just finished my combined Bachelor of Commerce (Finance Major) and Law at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. Now I need to do 4 months of full time College of Law to get admitted....

[Sayword]

Eric didn't you get married recently? how is that working out with all the time you log @ work?

I've been teetering on the the thought of lawschool for the longest time. but I'm sooo fucking lazy right now.

[jjkchung]

ok yea seriously im panicking now....

im currently doing east asian studies and history double major and communication minor at McGill in montreal and being f-ked in the ass big time. Hopefully by the end of university i can have a 3.2 GPA.

So my only chance is LSAT now and im only considering non YHS t-14 in the states and Osgoode, U toronto and UBC in Canada

am i doomed?

go to osgoode and hopefully i'll see you there..