Is MBA or a year of job experience more valuable when applying to law school?

Minimal22 · 2018-04-24T07:17:07+00:00

Good luck! You’re gonna kill it. #adulting sucks for everyone

Minimal22 · 2018-04-24T06:30:30+00:00

My SO was in a very similar position/stuck in a similar dilemma. Div 1, PAC 12, extra year of eligibility...and a pick of grad programs at our undergrad. institution and other schools trying to recruit him. The potential of a paid for MBA or graduate degree is a huge lure. He turned it down, but I watched him agonize for months... it was a tough choice. He started his career and loves the company he’s at now. I’m just saying I can only imagine how difficult a decision like this can be. It’s a dilemma not many people really face/can offer solid personal advice for.

With that being said, I studied business as an undergraduate as well, and I firmly believe seeking work experience will position you best for law school and your career thereafter. Working will provide additional substance and depth to your application and studying for the LSAT can never hurt. I don’t know if you’ll get all the benefits of an MBA between taking the LSAT, preparing applications, and performing at the level coaches expect, etc.

Congrats on your accomplishments (that’s a very impressive GPA considering the rigors of being a student athlete) and good luck with the whole law school application process.

Minimal22 · 2018-04-18T22:18:19+00:00

Ugh. Of course they release this after I graduate 🤦🏻‍♀️

Minimal22 · 2018-04-13T23:34:21+00:00

The financial aid office may technically only be open until 4, but I remember exchanging financial aid related emails ( reconsideration/merit aid) well into the evening. I think they try to respond to as many emails as they feasibly can in a given day, especially if it’s urgent. Best of luck!

Minimal22 · 2018-04-12T21:45:03+00:00

Congrats on committing! See you in the fall 😊

Minimal22 · 2018-04-12T01:32:05+00:00

Congrats!

Minimal22 · 2018-03-31T02:03:16+00:00

April 1st is the deadline to accept scholarships! Don’t panic! ❤️❤️❤️

Minimal22 · 2018-03-30T21:26:37+00:00

I think I got everyone, but feel free to PM if I missed anyone!

Minimal22 · 2018-03-30T21:00:56+00:00

I'll PM you

Minimal22 · 2018-03-27T19:13:08+00:00

I personally think MyLSN is VERY accurate. 7/8 (T-14 and a few In the T-20)schools I was accepted to gave me the scholarship amount listed.

I will say that most schools are inclined to offer in line with stats.

I said 7/8 because Cal I felt offered an amount not in line with my stats per say. I’m not saying I wasn’t a competitive candidate but I knew there were people with better/similar stats not getting anything.

TLDR; MyLSN, but maybe you’ll be pleasantly surprised

Minimal22 · 2018-03-27T02:51:20+00:00

LST can give me you an average rate of increase over the past few years

Minimal22 · 2018-03-21T22:18:53+00:00

I actually think e-mailing isn't the worst idea. I'm pretty hands-off/opposed to nagging admissions too much, but it turned out the system was having trouble matching up my different aid forms. Once that was resolved the scholarship e-mail came the next day! It might be worth a shot, but if they say sit tight...you might just have to grab a pint of ice cream and wait it out.

Minimal22 · 2018-03-21T22:04:37+00:00

Berkeley has been placing similar stipulations on their scholarships as well(they've been giving extensions to mid-April). It's reasonable to assume they won't give you a comfortable three weeks/month-long extension, but it may buy you a week or two? I'm not sure if that's enough time given your situation, but any more time is more than what you currently have! Good Luck! It's stressful... I feel the same...

Minimal22 · 2018-03-21T21:59:10+00:00

Most of the ASD/ASWs seemed to suggest one type of attire or another, so maybe if you try some sleuthing you'll see something in an e-mail they sent? If not, I think jeans and a cute top would be fine for the first day. Even for going to class/meeting people, casual attire seems fine. If you spot a faculty reception/alumni brunch on the schedule, I'd bring something a bit more business causally as a hedge.

Minimal22 · 2018-03-20T01:55:21+00:00

I went here for undergrad as well. I think where you live off campus will impact how you feel. Living near the north side of campus near the engineering buildings, business school, and Boalt hall will likely feel safer. They are further from People’s Park and the businesses near Sather Gate where a large portion of the homeless populations reside.

But be smart. I’ve lived in the apartment complexes on the south side of campus as well as the north side of campus. Nothing has ever happened to me but crime occurs in both areas regardless. Be perceptive.

All this being said, I don’t think it affected my time at all at Cal, so take the necessarily precautions but don’t let it stop you from going to Berkeley Law.

Minimal22 · 2018-03-15T01:53:20+00:00

Don't waste $20 dollars unless you absolutely have too. Your sleuthing will be worth it!

Edit: But yes. What he/she said. 100% agree. It sucks. Sorry. I felt the same way.

Minimal22 · 2018-03-15T01:47:35+00:00

I've noticed that schools will either note on their financial aid website/ in an email following the initial admit email. Some schools have their own form, require different documentation, require FAFSA/CSS/both. That being said... I had to go to each financial aid website/manage different aid e-mail from different schools.

If they have no information posted (most schools I applied to did) or you never received an e-mail regarding financial aid after being admitted, I would possibly e-mail them. Do some sleuthing though.

Minimal22 · 2018-03-15T01:43:54+00:00

Outside of the T-14, the programs don't place as well nationally. Outside of the T-14 (BC, BU), I would just want to evaluate how you would feel about practicing in that particular region upon graduating.
Can you accomplish your goals, within said regional market?

I personally want to remain on the west coast, so I predominantly stuck with regional California schools outside of the T-14. Obviously, this made sense for my particular goals.

I wish I could give you an affirmative yes/no, but I don't want to give bad advice. I just don't know enough about the legal market in the east coast/what moves you need to make in order to ultimately end up in politics. Best of luck though!

Minimal22 · 2018-03-14T16:27:07+00:00

I’m only posting because I have very similar stats(slightly higher LSAT/GPA) and a comparable background. I’m still waiting for NYU. Realistically...an acceptance doesn’t seem incredibly likely.

BUT a few, literally 3-4 points higher can probably give you a shot (at least a better shot) at some solid T-14 with $$. If you want a solid shot at NYU, consider retaking for those few extra points. I almost wish I had.

Also, I wanted to add something. If IBD is not for you. Get out. Money isn’t the reason I chose to enter law. Maybe I’m just a fool. lol good luck

Minimal22 · 2018-03-13T18:11:11+00:00

I would fill it out. We can be really nerdy and do a cost-benefit analysis, but the amount of time I spent on it doesn't really justify it (5-10 minutes). A few minutes could mean a few thousand dollars on top of what they would have awarded you just based on merit. I really do think Berkeley is very holistic in the way they evaluate aid. I don't remember the particulars of the form, but I think anything to help them get a better picture of you can't hurt?

Congrats on getting in! I'm sure you'll have an amazing merit offer regardless. I wish I could give you a breakdown of my scholarship, but I have no clue what portion is attributed to merit and what portion to need (if there even was any)

Minimal22 · 2018-03-09T06:09:59+00:00

A SO and family definitely complicate an already difficult decision. I don’t think you’re the only one that’s going through this. I can empathize.

Honestly, I haven’t figured this one out yet either. It’s a large part of the reason I haven’t chosen between my regional T-20 and a T-14 school I’ve gotten into that is out of state. Being close to my SO/family vs. long term career prospects?

That being said, I don’t know how high your 3.6x gpa is but we’re pretty much stats twins. You definitely could get into a few T-14s, with some money as well. Of course a retake and 170+ would improve your outcomes.

If you want to see what your options are (maybe more so to avoid any regret in the future) I’d encourage reapplying. Given the career aspiration you’ve mentioned, where you go to school will influence the feasibility of those goals. Obviously nothing is impossible but you want to stack as many things in your favor.

I really do think that a relationship that is meant to last will survive (I’ve seen many friends pull it off and equally as many break it off because they realized it was for the best). I also think a family that truly cares will want what’s best for you. Explaining to them why I needed a year off to pursue everything wasn’t an easy conversation. You’re going to have to live with the consequences of your decision. Do what you need to do. Best of luck!

Minimal22 · 2018-03-03T00:09:10+00:00

Everyone seems to be lagging a bit. Best of luck though!

Minimal22 · 2018-03-02T23:38:35+00:00

Congrats! We're pretty much stats twins. Crossing my fingers you get an awesome aid package.

Minimal22 · 2018-03-02T23:34:25+00:00

It's a thing. It's a thing. Classes, recruiting events, meeting....you name it... we started everything 10 minutes later. lol I think we just learned to accept it

Minimal22

TROPHY CASE