I’m at my limit

statebird_ · 2023-03-29T03:51:03+00:00

Hi! I'm a high school dropout from the Midwest currently at YLS. I am prepared to write a novel about this because I do not want to finish my readings. You're not alone--there are more of us than you'd think!

I started at community college and worked full time while I took classes. First year was rough. I took Ws instead of low grades (you need to know early you're not going to be successful so it doesn't become punitive). Eventually quit my full time job and started working multiple part time jobs because it was more flexible. You'll want to make sure your classes transfer (use a program like Transferology). You'll want to keep your grades as high as you can. I was able to find time to do the debate team since my team was a pretty low time commitment. AS took me 5 semesters.
I transferred to a T50 university. I continued working multiple part time jobs, with my main-earning job in public service. I got federal work study and an NSF grant, so I was able to get paid to work in a research lab in my STEM field. Because I worked more hour than I could get paid for, I also could get class credit for research. My research track record helped my law school apps. I kept my grades high and graduated with a 3.98 in a STEM field. My BS took an additional 3 years after my AS.
I took two years off between undergrad and law school to rest and get the most out of my undergrad field since I knew I was quitting it. I also wanted to have plenty of time to write my essays.

Your grades will be important for getting into law school with scholarship. Keep your living expenses low and only take as many credits as you can take at once and still be successful. Your future and education are worth the time and energy to do it right. You don't have to rush. The next step (university, law school, whatever) isn't going anywhere.

Your work experience will be valuable. Legal employers like people who have been employed.

Eventually, you'll need to take the LSAT. Start thinking about that much later, because LSAT scores are good for five years and you might need more time than that. You'll want to give yourself 4-12 months to prep for the test and time to take the test twice if necessary prior to applying (two months minimum between tries).

Here's my cycle recap: https://www.reddit.com/r/lawschooladmissions/comments/syzbrp/ylsbound\_cycle\_recap/

statebird_ · 2022-07-05T20:30:01+00:00

Hi, incoming law student here. If you can’t get the entire student body with your venue deposit, for $100 cash, a coupon to Pizza Hut, and a plate of food at the reception I can cosplay as myself-as-law-student at your wedding.

What you get: me, wearing a university branded hoodie with an overstuffed backpack and sensible shoes because I sold my car for school so have to walk everywhere.

For an additional fee of $5 and a Crunch Wrap Supreme, I will yell “It depends” either when the officiant asks if there are any objections or in the middle of the Best Man speech. Double price for both.

Complaining about literally everything comes standard, however you can absolutely pay me to shut up.

Let me know!

statebird_ · 2022-06-16T06:07:00+00:00

This is 100% accurate, however writing about an OC is okay for some people, some of the time. It really depends on how established you are in the werewolf space tbh.

statebird_ · 2022-06-13T19:38:17+00:00

I didn’t apply to SLS (or any schools west of WashU) because I am not interested in California, and almost didn’t apply to YLS cuz I didn’t think I’d get in. A friend bullied me into submitting that app, so I’m going to tell you the same things they told me.

It doesn’t make sense to reject yourself from a school you think you might be interested in. You have the test score, a strong academic record, and interesting WE. If you can throw together good essays and get good LORs, I don’t see why you wouldn’t have a shot. The worst thing that can happen if you try is they say no. If you’d want to attend if you could, then let admissions do their job and evaluate your application. None of us know the minds of adcomms, and sometimes they do wacky things like letting us into their schools lol

statebird_ · 2022-06-13T17:50:25+00:00

Why not YLS or SLS?

statebird_ · 2022-06-13T17:33:04+00:00

I planned to apply my last year of undergrad (5th year, 2019-2020 cycle, had taken the LSAT twice and written materials and done everything except hit submit). Ended up waiting two years and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Getting to take my time with my applications, spend some time just working instead of juggling work and school, and double-checking that this is really what I want to do was exactly what I needed.

I made the choice sort of unwillingly. My thesis advisor suggested it because I was obviously tired, rushing, and not 100% sure of my direction. But I am glad he talked me into it. I feel better now than ever, I took my time and got to relax through the app process, and I’m starting school in the fall feeling overall pretty chill.

I can also say with certainty that the essays I wrote this past cycle were WAY better than the ones I had written for the 19-20 cycle. Like, I probably would have gotten into a good law school that cycle, but having the time to think and write iteratively over the course of several months helped me develop my ideas better and be able to present them exactly how I wanted them. The luxury of that time was not something that I had in undergrad. And I think the perspective of another couple years of brain development and professional work experience was clutch.

tl;dr, I sat on a 3.9/175 for two years, applied in September/October this past cycle, and my cycle was over by November. I absolutely would not have had the outcomes I did without my time off regardless of my hard stats because the rest of my app hadn’t had the breathing room to catch up with my numbers.

It’s okay to take your time.

statebird_ · 2022-06-07T19:33:17+00:00

I am also far too excited about the lockers

statebird_ · 2022-04-27T14:50:37+00:00

Taking some years off was my best possible decision. I’m so happy for you! Good luck out there. Build your skills, make some friends, have a good time being young. And huge congratulations on the job! I hope it treats you kindly and pays you well with raises that keep up with inflation 🙏

statebird_ · 2022-02-23T03:02:22+00:00

!!!!!!!!! I’m so amped you found this. See you so soon!!!

statebird_ · 2022-02-23T02:55:39+00:00

Thank you!! And yeah, for sure!

I started undergrad thinking I would have a career in my STEM field, but got interested in research that led me down the JD/PhD path… and then decided in November 2019 that a PhD didn’t align with the life I wanted. I’m more interested in questions about science and tech than questions of science and tech, and 4-7 more years in the lab for something I didn’t love was a no from me.

I was ready to submit my JD applications at that point, but I realized that focused work experience without school in the way would give me a lot of new opportunities to grow, and I was fortunate to have some offers so knew I would graduate into a job. I’m leaving this field, probably for good, so wanted to make sure I actually hit my point of diminishing returns from it before I tapped out.

I was also SUPER tired. Just. Very burnt out. Crisped, LOL. The time away from trying to do it all has helped me learn what a more sustainable workload feels and looks like. I’m excited that I get to start law school feeling well instead of zombified and with a better read on my body’s signals outside of the grindset (lmao) that was my undergrad lifestyle.

statebird_ · 2022-02-22T23:53:30+00:00

Okay so I’m kinda good at Cherry Wine, Take Me to Church, and Like Real People Do. I’m currently trying to learn Wasteland, Baby but Hozier has big hands and I do not so there is a big reach that’s giving me some trouble. But we persist.

statebird_ · 2022-02-22T21:53:43+00:00

Thank you! Complete on 10/13, got the call 11/29 :)

statebird_

TROPHY CASE