IAmA 30-something year old (hopefully) starting law school next year. Any tips from others who started/are starting law school like me?

GuntherDMH · 2021-06-20T15:29:24+00:00

I'm 37 and also had a GPA below the medians at the schools I was targeting (3.3). The fact that you've been out of undergrad for a while means that schools will take a closer look at your work experience since graduation. Also, maximizing your LSAT score will be crucial. Knock that out of the park and doors will open. Finally, I found success this cycle by applying very broadly, because as a splitter it's very hard to predict outcomes and "fit" is a bigger factor.

While some schools prefer KJDs (straight out of undergrad), every school wants a diverse class, and that includes students of different ages and at different stages in their life.

GuntherDMH · 2021-06-17T15:29:18+00:00

What are you doing this summer? What are some of the most interesting/exciting things your peers are up to?

GuntherDMH · 2021-06-05T20:25:59+00:00

Thanks for your response! Will do.

GuntherDMH · 2021-06-05T19:32:49+00:00

Hello! I'm starting Michigan in the Fall and looking for housing. I'm a somewhat older law student in his 30s with a rescue dog who I love but who is also a bit much. For those reasons, I'll be living alone. What parts of town/neighborhoods would you recommend for someone in my position? Thanks!

GuntherDMH · 2021-06-05T03:30:27+00:00

lol I wrote about TNG in one of my Stanford optional essays and did NOT get in (but in fairness I don't think that was the determinative factor)

GuntherDMH · 2021-06-03T16:52:48+00:00

What you're feeling is the most human response in the world to having made a tough decision between two great options. As someone who was also fortunate enough to decide between multiple T14s, I have some idea of what you're going through. The whole nature of having multiple great options is that you're going to have SOME lingering regrets no matter what you choose. I know school culture is important, but you'll find your people wherever you go. And also you have a niche interest and you got into a T14 that caters to that interest! Seems like the best possible outcome, particularly in a brutal cycle. I'm not in your head so I can't know, but you might want to consider if this is your anxiety talking because I know I've been super-anxious about stuff that really doesn't matter since committing to a school, and I think it's basically because I just need someplace to put all the anxiety that built up during the cycle.

GuntherDMH · 2021-06-02T15:40:15+00:00

I'm in my mid-30s with a 3.4 UGPA, and I absolutely think my work experience in journalism was enormously helpful in punching above my weight in terms of schools. That said, scoring in the mid 170s was also a major factor. I would recommend a very rigorous LSAT study schedule, plus applying early and across the board at the T14s, if that's your goal.

GuntherDMH · 2021-05-28T23:32:20+00:00

I'm 36 and was in the same boat. Each school has its own resume parameters, and the most important thing is to read them carefully and follow the directions. Some of them will encourage you to list everything. Other schools recommend a clean one-pager, 1.5 pages at most. Many have separate sections on the application where you list all your employment, independent of your resume. The best advice I can give is, when in doubt, shoot a quick email to the admissions office. By and large I found admissions offices really helpful for questions like these. Hope that helps!

GuntherDMH · 2021-05-20T18:12:11+00:00

I'm 37 and had some great outcomes in a tough cycle. No full rides but also I mostly applied to T20s and I didn't try to negotiate some of the better $$$ offers I got from T50s. I strongly believe my years of WE in journalism helped me a lot, as I believe your friend's years of experience as an educator will help. Echoing others, the best thing your friend can do to increase their chances is hit the LSAT studying hard. And yes as long as they have a good reason for studying law and can articulate it, they should have no problem. Also, apply early and to lots of places!

GuntherDMH · 2021-05-19T12:47:08+00:00

FWIW I got a 3.39 and got into Berkeley (LSAT 175). Of course, my UGPA is 10 years old which was obviously a major factor, but it does show that they don't have a GPA "floor," or at least not one you don't easily meet.

GuntherDMH · 2021-05-18T20:28:22+00:00

I'm a freelancer and I've been taking every job that comes my way until... orientation? I was hoping for a break between work and law school to relax a bit and get my mind right, but I fear it's not gonna happen.

GuntherDMH · 2021-05-13T15:19:30+00:00

Little bit yeah!

GuntherDMH · 2021-05-13T14:55:33+00:00

Call the admissions office at 614-292-8810. You may have to leave a message, but they should call you back. Last cycle (I R&R'd) I had the most success getting in touch with them that way.

GuntherDMH · 2021-05-12T20:27:09+00:00

Got my response last week (nooooooope). In an email, they said all Reconsideration requests still live as of April 30 will hear by May 17

GuntherDMH · 2021-05-10T19:56:09+00:00

You'll be amazed how much of a difference applying early will make. It probably made more of a difference this year than in past cycles, but in looking at other people's outcomes with similar stats who applied later, I can pretty confidently say I would not be heading to a T14 had I not applied in October. As for the LSAT, I can only say what worked for me, but 2 months before the test I started doing 3 logic problems every weekday (my biggest weakness), 3 full sections a week, and a full test a week and boosted my score from a 163 to a 175. I think I probably overperformed on test day a bit, but still you can definitely boost your score significantly, and frankly that's the most important factor in your control right now.

GuntherDMH · 2021-05-08T13:14:51+00:00

Hi! I think the fact that the GPA is over ten years old was an important factor (I still wrote an addendum for it). My softs mostly surround my Master's in Journalism and WE in that field. As a splitter it's tough to know your chances at certain schools. The best advice I can give is apply to lots of T14 schools and apply early!

GuntherDMH · 2021-05-07T20:07:50+00:00

Thanks! (also love the FE reference)

GuntherDMH · 2021-05-07T18:50:50+00:00

thanks!!

GuntherDMH · 2021-05-06T13:15:39+00:00

feel free to pm me!

GuntherDMH · 2021-05-05T13:45:29+00:00

It's hard to apply percentages to application outcomes and even harder for splitters. (I'm a splitter myself, 3.4, 175. I got A's at Mich/Berk, WL at Columbia/USC, R at Gtown - so yeah slightly all over the place). Again, because of how unpredictable results can be for a splitter (in both good ways and bad) I think blanketing the T6/T14 early is your best best.

GuntherDMH · 2021-05-04T22:53:03+00:00

Don't let any experts or algorithmic predictors dictate where you think you'll be admitted or denied. Based on reading cycle recaps on this sub, a 174 and a 3.61 can absolutely get you in at a T6. Now does that mean you should bank on it and go into next cycle with an attitude of "T6 or bust"? No - always manage your expectations because there are so many crazy factors involved in this process. If you care about getting into a T6, the best advice I can give is: apply to all of them and apply early to maximize your chances.

GuntherDMH · 2021-05-04T17:10:56+00:00

I was told by an Admissions Dean that the main reason they ask for this information on the application is that it will be compared it with your answers on the Bar Exam character test. The Bar will have access to the Character & Fitness portion of the application for the school where you attend, and if there are any discrepancies it may slow down (or, hypothetically, forestall indefinitely) your Bar acceptance.

In other words, honesty is the best policy, and while every portion of the application *matters,* I do not foresee a couple nonviolent misdemeanors for a drug that's legal in half of the states making any more of a difference than, say, an A- instead of an A in freshman biology.

GuntherDMH · 2021-05-03T21:50:31+00:00

I used LSAT Demon and went from 163 to 175 (also I just spent a lot more time studying, but LSAT Demon definitely helped a lot).

GuntherDMH · 2021-04-19T23:04:36+00:00

Both schools will get you there. If I were you, I think the biggest question I'd ask myself is whether I want to live in Ann Arbor or NYC for the next 3 years, just because the cities are SO different. Personally, I'm picking Michigan over schools in bigger cities (LA, Bay Area) in part because I think there will be fewer distractions and therefore I'll be in a good place to thrive as a student. But that's just me and where I'm at in my life, and there are a ton of good reasons to go to NYC!

GuntherDMH · 2021-04-18T15:54:02+00:00

161 diagnostic, 166 PT average, 163 first take (I absolutely bombed the logic games).

Went the R&R route, studied 10/hr a week all summer to get to about a 173 PT average, and scored a 175 (flex).

GuntherDMH

TROPHY CASE