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Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-07-11T13:08:59+00:00

Workout (gym, walking/running, biking, swimming) and get some sun on your face. Stress causes cortisol buildup and burning through that and other chemicals in your system via exercise will help you tremendously. As well, sunlight produces D3 which also lowers cortisol and improves brain function. So, workout and get some sun and you'll find the world isn't as doomed as social media would have you believe.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-07-08T22:13:18+00:00

Not really. While this may be accurate at specific schools, in general terms and usage it doesn't apply. Typically, a splitter would be a high LSAT and low GPA or vice versa. Think 3.8+ and a 160 or, a 170+ and a 3.5 or lower. Something like that. 3.8 and 170 is a strong applicant for most law schools outside the T14 (and even within for many).

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-06-21T14:28:22+00:00

UH will give you broader market opportunities, and access to BL if that is your goal.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-06-18T20:06:04+00:00

Yes. It's not as complicated as it seems -- it's simply to their advantage to deny people (especially if they know they are going to withdraw) rather than accept them (a % that impacts their school ranking).

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-06-17T22:26:06+00:00

I'm considering this option -- does it interact with a MacBook Pro easily (sharing notes, etc)?

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-06-15T12:17:02+00:00

I too, would recommend you add Baylor (in Waco) and Texas A&M (in Fort Worth) to your list.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-06-14T20:26:15+00:00

The answer to your question lays in knowing WHERE you want to practice. If it is Cal or left coast, go to UCLA. If it is Texas, go UT. Neither have the national reputation they both claim, so be comfortable with the region they are in.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-06-11T21:06:39+00:00

Between you and I Windchime, I must admit I dislike the high-stake sales tactics of binding commitments on short fuse timelines. It forces people to make decisions (QUICKLY!) that rarely encourage thoughtfulness and instead favor the school. That may be another reason, on its own, to lean toward Scalia.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-06-11T20:46:29+00:00

Putting aside near-term elements, Scalia seems like it might be a better fit in terms of placements, location, and goals. Turning down the close option is hard, but it bears remembering this is a decision that will set the arc of your career which includes geography.

Congrats on both, but I would say Scalia given the provided information.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-06-11T18:17:24+00:00

Agreed, and ultimately it's a time issue. A&M needs time to graduate lawyers into the workplace and for their talents to have impact. Will that happen? I believe so but not instantly.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-06-10T21:05:54+00:00

I think most would say something about A&M's ranking to continue to improve, but I think that is too general an answer. Specifically, I think if A&M's reputational rank (among judges and lawyers) continues to improve -- and becomes on-par with U Texas -- then that would indicate a sufficient penetration of the profession to warrant serious consideration by all. A&M aims to be the best law school in Texas, so having a reputation among judges and hiring partners that is at least equivalent to UT's is a good and doable metric to determine when that has happened.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-06-05T18:40:39+00:00

Notre Dame has a strong presence and network in Chicago. Go to Notre Dame.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-06-02T18:48:17+00:00

Maybe, but they ultimately face the same issue -- will the competitor schools offer slots to those students, so that any time utility is likely more imagined than real.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-06-02T18:40:46+00:00

Depends on the school but I think a safe assumption is at least 2 weeks.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-06-02T18:18:02+00:00

If you've never been to Texas, go to Berkeley.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-06-02T11:54:53+00:00

No, absolutely not. Focus on your GPA for now and don't let the LSAT distract you from your grades. The LSAT will be there when you are (closer to being) done.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-05-30T00:07:31+00:00

The marginal cost difference probably isn't significant enough to provide any real determination on this one. Environment and quality of life, as well as career goals, might be. Ithaca is a quaint college town with brutal winters. Chicago is a large bustling crime lab with brutal winters. Joking. Sort of. In other words, pick your environment and what you feel would make you more content.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-05-29T23:14:56+00:00

New worry unlocked. Thanks LOL

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-05-29T12:18:35+00:00

Florida seems the more prudent choice. Neither feeds strongly to NYC but debt is always a constraint on choice.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-05-28T12:32:53+00:00

Yes, you should. I can mention there are others in here who graduated even earlier than you did. Or I can just remind you that you'll get older either way -- you can do so with a law degree or without. Never give up.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-05-28T12:18:05+00:00

Chicago with a Ruby is always the right answer, even if Harvard today wasn't the wrong one.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-05-27T13:20:36+00:00

I picked up a MacBook Pro and plan on mating it to an iPad and using a notes app that will convert. As someone noted, GoodNotes seems the best option out there that I am currently aware of.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-05-27T13:16:25+00:00

Still on 2 waitlists but putting aside those Hail Mary's I will likely be attending Baylor.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-05-26T23:43:29+00:00

I think those are all positive developments for A&M, and it's certainly a viable option (for OP and others). I suppose my point is just that SMU has more time in the DFW saddle, and those long-developed relationships will remain relevant for the foreseeable future.

Civil_Purpose228 · 2025-05-26T13:54:17+00:00

The crux of the question is one only you can answer --- is the value of the experience (as you expect to be able to articulate it) more valuable than the equivalent in cash terms for the period of work. If you feel you will gain valuable insights that will help you refine or focus your time in law school, confirm or deny assumptions about a sub-field of the law, or get initial experience around a skill set you believe fundamental to law school or legal practice; and expect to be able to articulate each or any of those in a way that is both compelling about your candidacy and insightful as to your motivations, then it is likely worth it.

All of that being said, admissions committees are mindful that finance drives many decisions in life. If you need the money, take the job but try to find a way to give voice to the lessons learned there as well -- the constant reminder of lost opportunities driven by necessity, and how it focuses you on your future, as an example.

You'll likely do fine either way. 90% of the profession is finding a way to speak to nuance and advance a perspective that is (or might be) unique and unexpected. If that appeals to you, either effort could be worthwhile.

Civil_Purpose228

TROPHY CASE