Another Law School question ~ LSATs?

[DMickey28]

I am thinking about law school for next fall. I would need to take the LSAT's by December at the latest but preferable in October. I have a week and half before the deadline for October.

How much prep? How much additional studying? What was it like?

The December test is doable but tight for some school deadlines. If I couldn't apply or be considered for Fall 2005 I'd have to wait another year.

I am getting married the week after the test in October. It's a destination wedding without much planning needing to be done, through granted there will be last minute things that need to get done. I am also taking a statistics class on line this semester. I don't have outside obligations aside from my job 7-3:30pm. How much study time do I need for this??

Thanks.. I am really thinking about this.

 

[Kallison]

All I know about the Lsats I learned from Legally Blonde! Loved Elle Woods. Just wanted to say good luck!!

 

[DMickey28]

I bought my first LSAT prep book this AM!

 

[Ibelieveinfairies]

DMickey28, I wish I could help you, but I know nothing about the LSAT...I just wanted to wish you the best of luck...getting married...going to law school...what an exciting time in your life!

 

[Cinderellafifi]

The LSAT is an "interesting" exam to say the least. I was working full time and went to undergrad classes at night and then studied every free moment from a workbook such as you purchased. I did study every weekend day and night, very late, and as much as I could during the week.

I did very, very well and never took a prep course. My suggestion is to take the Oct test and find out about being enrolled for the next one in Dec. The schools to which you apply will allow those scores for Fall 2005 enrollment, which is how I did it.

Remember, if you have great grades, you don't need the LSAT to make you look dramatically better and that helps.

Just do it!! Good luck!!

 

[chrissyk]

I think that my sister took a prep course before the LSATS. It seemed like she studied quite a bit. She got into the law school that she was interested in, though, so it paid off Good luck on the LSATS and your wedding

 

[beachbunny]

First, you need to decide which law school you'd like to attend. Then look at their admission requirements and deadlines. If your grades will get you in easy and you're a good test taker, I'd take it in October. If not and the admission deadline is after December, I'd wait until December to give you more time to study. I'd recommend a prep course if there's still time. If not, buy a couple of prep books and take as many sample tests as possible. Just remember that if you do take both the October and December tests, they will average your scores.

 

[dennis99ss]

First, without being mean, ugly, etc. Grades are everything in law school. Getting into a well respected school is as equally important. As a result, because the law market is being flooded by new lawyers, and jobs are becomming tighter, you need top LSAT's to get into top schools, where you will need top grades (minimum top 20-25%) to get a decent job. As a result, looking at law school as you would a mba is not the right way to view it. You actually need to look at it as a lifestyle change, which actually should start with the lsat. Plan on 12 hour or more a day study time when in your first year if you want to be near the top.

Re: the lsat, it is a logic based test, having nothing to do with the law. It does, however, I think, show thought processes, logical thought patterns, etc. Take a course, and study for it. It should be one of your most important tests at this time in your career, as it will determine where you get accepted.

 

[skuttle]

I didn't take a prep course. I bought a book and did as many practice tests (both timed and untimed) as I could stand to do. The school I was applying to (and the only one I wanted to go to) did some sort of formula using your GPA and LSAT. I knew my GPA would be really high so my LSAT could stand to be just average. I got an average score on the LSAT and I was happy. That test was awful!

You don't necessarily need to go to the top school and get top grades to get a good job. It all depends on what type of job you want. I knew that I did not want to work at a huge firm and be involved in that type of atmosphere...just not for me. I was in the top 30% of my class...no, I won't get the really high paying jobs in a huge, well known firm because I wasn't in the top 5% and my family doesn't "know" anyone. But I am confident that I will get a job that I will enjoy and will be able to provide a comfortable life for me and my family...that's what's most important to me.

Good luck!!

 

[DMickey28]

Thanks for the reply's. I have looked at a few school's in IL that really interest me. I have a low leve/low name school, two mid-range name school and two higher range. Northern IL, University of IL - Urbana, DePaul, IL Inst. of Technology - Chicago Kent Law and Northwestern. I probally won't apply to all of them but there are the schools of interst at this point. Vast Tutions amounts as well...

At this point I would like to get into Family Law.... I Do know that I don't want to be a litegator or criminal prosecutor. I also know that I don't want to be in a high power high stress law firm. Not for me...

Skuttle said it perfectly and that's how I feel. My GPA is pretty good, though not ridiculous. My GPA, college career and perserverance is probally my subject of choice for my personal statements. I didn't do very well the very first semester of college. I did very bad. I took a semester off, figured things out and went back to a different school full force. I ended up graduating from the school that I attended that first semester. The result was one semester of a very very very low GPA (Did I stress low? I don't think I broke 1.0!) and three semesters with GPA's between 3.5 and 3.9. The result of that is a lower than average actual GPA however transcripts explain the story. Before that I graduated from a CC with a GPA of 3.67. With a above average though not necessarily stellar LSAT score I should be ok.... depending.

Skuttle ~ Were are you in the process? Didn't you just take the Bar? Please give me an honest account of the LSATs, the first year and such. Where in the process did you have the baby? Please feel free to PM me if you'd like. I would really like to "pick" your brain if you don't mind. I think you are around my age!!!

Thanks everyone... this is the first "idea/decision" I have made about my future that excites me and give me goose bumps. I always thought I wanted to be a teacher, however my Fiance and parents have helped me to see that Law fits my personality much better as well that I have had that thought since Jr. High but always was too SCared... lifes too short to be scared!!

I am off to watch Legally Blonde... of course I love that movie... I know it's not like that, don't worry!

 

[skuttle]

Sent ya a PM.

 

[DMickey28]

Skuttle, Thanks!!! Sent one back!

 

[DMickey28]

Bumping up for the Monday crowd!!!

Thanks so much!!

 

[danacara]

You're going to need some serious prep time for the logic problems. They're fun once you get the hang of them, but practice is a huge element in gaining speed and getting through the test. Good luck.

 

[olena]

Chris decided against the course. He got a book of old tests and worked them all. It worked very well. If you have good logic and analytical skills, you are well on your way...


Best of luck!

 

[DMickey28]

Thanks for the replys!!

As far as the logic problems I am one of those girls that had those logic word problems books out when I was lifegaurding and it was slow. Sadly (or not now that I think about it) it is something I like to do for fun. I have a huge book now that I do...

I think that's sort of scary actually!!!! (That I find those fun!!)

I am making my way through the first practice book now... making notes on things that stump me and the answers and why I was stumped. I also have a notebook going on vocabulary words just to jot down the ones that I question if I have solid understanding of them or just "assume" I know what they mean....

Danacara ~ Did you take the test???

 

[Sandy V.]

DMickey28,

I took the LSAT in 1982 (or, according to my teenagers, in the Stone Age) and the format has changed somewhat, so I can't help you. But I do remember lots of logic-type problems.

I just wanted to tell you good luck on both the test and on your upcoming wedding!

 

[danacara]

Ya, I did, senior year of college, when I was deciding between straight finance and securities law. Happy to provide any insight I can

 

[DMickey28]

Danacara ~ sent you a PM!!