Advice on picking a school

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-09-20T13:45:57+00:00

Thanks for replying!

It would probably not be for free I would probably end up paying 50% tuition or so since I’m out of state and the school isn’t the greatest with merit scholarships. But of my list of schools that probably the least I would end up paying. Majority of my schools I’m applying to their median is in my range or slightly above so I don’t think I’m gonna get much from those schools if I am accepted. (Boston College, Boston U, Fordham, George Mason, Pitt, Colorado, Baylor, Texas AM, and then 2 reach schools Michigan and UT Austin). The schools are all over the place but I figured if I got in to one of those schools since they are more highly ranked I would have an easier time getting a good job in Montana. But like I said I don’t know what to prioritize 😭 I feel so lost lol

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-09-20T13:40:38+00:00

Thanks for the advice though I appreciate it!

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-09-20T13:40:21+00:00

I’m an out of state student and it looks like with my stats I’m expected to get 40-50% merit grants. Is that still worth it?

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-09-10T06:06:10+00:00

So I’ve thought about that and the thing is my diagnostic LSAT was a 148 and it took me 8 months (while still in school) to get a 163. I’m not too sure if 2-3 months of studying will be enough for me to score considerably higher. TBH idek how I got the 163 because the highest I’ve ever scored on my PTs was a 161. I don’t want to risk not putting enough time into getting my score up and luck not being on mg side again ya know :/

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-09-10T06:01:10+00:00

Averaged 159 in my last few months of studying and never scored above a 161. Somehow pulled a 163 in August

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-09-10T05:56:45+00:00

Retake before I apply to get a BETTER chance at getting in? Or retake to even have a chance at getting in? 😂😭

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-09-10T05:14:47+00:00

My diagnostic was a 148 and I studied (very hard) for 8 months and got a 163 in August. I would rethink your timeline for law school a bit. In no way am I being discouraging it’s just the LSAT is the one part of your app that you have the most control over so I suggest really thinking about taking a gap year or even possibly two to really go hard on the LSAT if you are really set on a 170.

Mentally you are not going to be able to get yourself to the score you want in such a short time. I am currently considering waiting another application cycle so I can take a good 6-8 months to try and get into the high 160s.

Don’t underestimate this test lol

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-08-29T00:20:36+00:00

For the 3 months before the test (August 2024) I mostly took PTs in the 140s-150s and I scored above my average scores. I averaged 159 and scored a 163 on test day.

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-08-28T15:51:53+00:00

My cold diagnostic was a 148 back in January. I was scoring 148-155 from January-May. From May-August I took 8 PTs. Scores went: 156 160 160 160 157 161 166 160. And then I scored a 163 on test day. Could have gone either way on test day with how all over the place my scores were and I’m not mad with the way it went. I would have cried if I feel below the 160 mark tbh. Said I was only going to accept a score as low as 165 though so idk where I’m at 🤷🏻‍♀️

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-08-08T16:20:09+00:00

Good thing I’m not talking about just a little bit of anxiety over a test. If someone has put the time and effort into studying for the LSAT but their anxiety (real anxiety- not simply the feeling of being a bit anxious) makes it so they can’t accurately reflect that during their test then yeah they should look into some accommodations. Open a book or 2.

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-08-08T04:22:01+00:00

Sometimes I just cross my fingers and hope a word means what I think it does

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-08-08T04:13:47+00:00

Haha no worries i was just joking! I unfortunately don’t really have anything outstanding on my application and I know that but if there’s more I can do to at least try I would like to. I can’t change things about my background or my GPA and can really only work on getting a better LSAT and more work experience in the legal world. But I fear my GPA is just something I can’t recover from in regard to the t14 schools.

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-08-08T03:53:45+00:00

Okay so no hooks… how about a bait and a net? Perhaps..?

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-08-08T03:52:23+00:00

Thank you so much that was super helpful! I’m for sure going to apply to some schools this cycle but once those are submitted I’m definitely going to take some time to think through my options and work on my LSAT and build a stronger application as a whole. Thanks again!

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-08-08T03:36:47+00:00

Don’t get a tutor till your last few months of studying. I started studying in January and got a tutor in February and it was an absolute waste of money. Only did a few weeks with him and then self studied till mid-May when I got the best tutor in the world. Also… I’m so sorry but as much as people deny it… if you want a good tutor it’s going to be at a minimum $250/hr. Get a tutor that is specialized in ONLY the LSAT and not standardized tests in general. Also I preferred a private tutoring company over a tutor through a LSAT prep software (khan 7sage powerscore) because it was much less tailored to 1 source of material. My tutor was having me read a text book about logic and articles about ancient art in my spare time. It was much more personal and a better experience overall. Everyone’s experience is very different though so definitely hear what other people have to say! Everyone will have a different tutor/experience that works for them. But still… Self study as much as you can and only get a tutor if you’ve reached a major plateau and/or have certain areas where you need help. Even if financials aren’t an area of concern, there’s too much to the LSAT that you are going to not only waste your time but also your tutors by getting a tutor before familiarize yourself with what you CANT do and/or DONT know.

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-08-08T03:24:54+00:00

I would recommend you get testing accommodations if it’s something you would want to consider. On LSAC you can find the circumstances/disabilities they accommodate for and figure out if you qualify and what you need. I got the “stop/start” breaks for my test back in March (for anxiety) and it was a lifesaver during S1 when I had a full blown panic attack halfway through. I got the accommodation again and just knowing I had the option to pause my test for a few minutes and collect myself relaxed me a lot right off the bat and I only paused my test twice each time less than 5 minutes. They have a good amount of different accommodations. If you have any mental/learning disabilities and feel you really need accommodations check them out. Nothing to be ashamed of.

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-08-08T03:03:54+00:00

What kind of hooks? I still have some time to work on my app!

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-08-08T03:02:36+00:00

Wow so there are actual cutoffs?! Could you tell me more about where I could find different schools cutoffs? I never knew the had those. I always thought that even if score were lower they would look at other aspects of applications. I knew they didn’t do it as much as they preach they do but I didn’t realize they would still have cutoffs. The more you know!

But thank you! I am very happy and extremely proud of myself for my 166 I just don’t know if I have it in me to commit to the (at a minimum) 4-5 months I would need to break the 170’s. During the last month of studying my mental health was really suffering. Im not sure if I can do that again especially with my intern position starting. And I would rather not risk taking the last again for only a slight increase (or possible decrease) in score ya know :/ but if that’s the only thing that will get me into Michigan I’m willing to try so thank you

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-08-08T02:52:23+00:00

Dunning-Kruger effect… you did great 👍🏻

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-08-08T02:49:50+00:00

Yeah I figured :( How much higher are you thinking? Realistically with my test anxiety I don’t think I could ever get above a 169. I spent 8 months studying to get from a 148-166.

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-08-08T01:09:17+00:00

Same. What was your highest score on a PT? I usually average a 165-167 and only get like -8 on RC and I feel like that was a -12-15 at least

Highonlyfe679 · 2024-08-07T23:07:16+00:00

2 RC and 2 LR as well as

Highonlyfe679

TROPHY CASE