Lsat

[TurboKinny]

I know we have some lawyers and law students around here, so tell the truth- is it really as bad as it's made out to be?

[MinorHero]

The LSAT is worse then the SAT but not nearly as bad as the bar exam (pretty much irregardless of what state you are referring to).

Whats most annoying about the LSAT is that its a lot harder to significantly move your score around compared to the SAT. You can shift perhaps as much as 10 points but thats really on the outer edge, especially if you start off in the 150's or above.

My advice if you are thinking about going to law school is 1) ask yourself why you are going to law school, if its not to practice law then go take MBA classes instead. 2) If you are determined to go to law school take a practice LSAT first (they are often available free from various LSAT-prep schools, check your university to find out more) and then once you have a practice score begin looking at schools that you could get into with that number and 10 points higher. If none of those schools appeal to you take MBA classes. And finally 3) if after all of that you still want to go to law school then take a prep class for the LSAT unless your the type of person that can force yourself to sit down and study incredibly boring shit for 3 hours a day every day without missing a beat, in which case your in the minority and can get away with just buying some prep books. Otherwise the prep class is an absolute necessity.

[atomic_burrito]

I would add, with the state of things right now, be *very* sure you want to be a lawyer. Unless you have the grades and LSAT to get into a tier-1, top 15 school, good legal jobs are becoming scarce. That isn't to say jobs aren't available, but with the $75,000 in student loans you will take on, a $30,000 per year job after school isn't very attractive.

The law is a wonderful career and has kept me excited to work for a long time, just be sure it is for you before taking the plunge. Far too many young lawyers are miserable because they didn't think things through before applying, and now find themselves "trapped."

[MinorHero]

I wouldn't go as far to say that you need to be in one of the top 15 law schools in the country. Rather you should make a point of going to a school in a location where firms/organizations often hire from. I went to University of Maryland Law School which is not in the top 15. I think its somewhere in the low 40's actually, but a lot of firms in Maryland have lawyers from the school. There are also a lot of law firms in Maryland to begin with since DC is right next door.

If however you were in a non-science major and have middling grades then chances are good those scores will continue in law school. At which time atomic has a point. If you are in the bottom half of your law school class (and if you have middling grades in undergrad in a non-science major you will be) then its going to be damn hard for you to find a decent job unless you are in one of those top 15 schools.

Really any discussion about what school you go to is pointless right now though since you don't have an LSAT score. If you go take a practice test and get a 175 the discussion is going to look a whole hell of a lot different compared to if you take the test and get a 140.

[KingGorilla]

As far as the test, I can endorse the Kaplan prep test. I took it and scored like a 128 on the test, put me in the 85th percentile, not too shabby. It is a funny test to take. Time and accuracy are very important as is maximizing which sections you are strongest on to maximize your score. It was not an issue for me, I have always done well on standardized tests, no test anxiety. Other people like my brother, who are bad test takers, can do better with practice, the classes, etc.

Lamentably, I found law school to be something I could not become interrested in. Had a bit of a horror show first year at a small school who hid some of their practices from me(failing bottom 30 percent, GPA rules, inability to meet with teachers, etc.). I strongly suggest that if this is something you want, make sure it is really something that you want to do, rather than liking the idea of the end result as I did. I get bored easy, and then I stop caring, not a good thing when you have 50 grand on the line.

[Purple Santa]

I know we have some lawyers and law students around here, so tell the truth- is it really as bad as it's made out to be?

Yes. Although I took the "old" exam it's not so much different now. It's best if nothing else to get a copy of a sample of the exam. They are available from the LSAT org. if I remember correctly. It will give you an idea of the test itself, and then as stated above, take the pre-test and see how you do.

Why law school? Not a condemnation. Just curious. Law was a field I was interested in long ago but got cold feet. Working with lawyers made me realize I didn't want to be one of them...

[TurboKinny]

Yes. Although I took the "old" exam it's not so much different now. It's best if nothing else to get a copy of a sample of the exam. They are available from the LSAT org. if I remember correctly. It will give you an idea of the test itself, and then as stated above, take the pre-test and see how you do.

Why law school? Not a condemnation. Just curious. Law was a field I was interested in long ago but got cold feet. Working with lawyers made me realize I didn't want to be one of them...I don't want to be a trial lawyer or anything like that- more like the guy that does the wills and land disputes or the corporate lawyer that writes external letters or whatever. *shrug*

I decided I might as well take the test, even if I decide law school isn't for me.

[KingGorilla]

Results are valid for 5 years, so law school need not immediately follow.

[TurboKinny]

Results are valid for 5 years, so law school need not immediately follow.Maybe I'll go get my Masters and then my JD, so I can be overqualified x 4!

[KingGorilla]

Depending on the discipline, LSAT scores are valid for entrance to many Masters programs. Mostly social sciences, 2 birds with one stone.

[TurboKinny]

Depending on the discipline, LSAT scores are valid for entrance to many Masters programs. Mostly social sciences, 2 birds with one stone.Already took the GRE, though. 620 verbal, 650 quant...I'm still not sure how a History and English major pulled that one off!

[atomic_burrito]

I don't want to be a trial lawyer or anything like that- more like the guy that does the wills and land disputes or the corporate lawyer that writes external letters or whatever. *shrug*

I decided I might as well take the test, even if I decide law school isn't for me.

Be aware that the demand for corp lawyers (usually called deal lawyers in the biz, as opposed to litigators) is very low right now. Lawsuits are still being filed, so litigators are busy. But with a credit freeze, there is very little corp work being done, so not a good time to set your sights on that.

Though with the three year lag you're looking at, things may improve by the time you graduate.