Kaplan was really helpful for me

Try to find practice tests that not only have answers, but also explanations to the answers. An internet search should suffice.

quick questions:

1. any idea's what like an optimal number of study group members is? There's me and one other guy right now and I consider us to be pretty equal, but were thinking we should add one or two more. Any thoughts? I've seen groups of like 10 people, but it feels -ev since obv not everyone is on an equal level and the lower guys are going to get carried.

2. I hit the 9 week mark of my 1L and I feel like I understand the major concepts so far for each class. Do you think it's too early to outline for finals? I've been trying to avoid getting burned out so far, but some of my classmates are starting, so I just don't want to fall behind is all. I've been told the golden ticket is to find a 2L who took the class last year and can give me their outline, but no luck on that so far

Hey,

I was wondering if there were any Yale Law lurkers on this board that could help me out with something. If so, PM me. Thanks

I've been teaching LSAT prep for two years for one of the major boutique companies. Mike Kim's The LSAT Trainer is the best book I've ever read, it's all you will need (except for the book of ten tests you buy to work along with the book).

Kim used to work for Manhattan LSAT (I do not and never have worked for them) and there are some similarities with their stuff, but it's better. It's only $40 on Amazon and if you work through it and apply yourself it's the best thing you can do. You can also join a study group on TLS and that's going to be better than doing any other type of test prep.

But seriously, LSAT Trainer, it's the best.

Don't slouch on LSAT prep, it's worth spending thousands on since it's so important, but that's not necessary if you apply yourself using this book.

Dude you are massively overthinking this. The optimal study group is a group of people who you feel comfortable with, add value and have schedules you can work with. If you end up with an unwieldy group you will know.


When you start to outline (note that not everyone even does outlines) is a function of when you feel comfortable allocating time from intake of new info to review, keeping in mind whatever else you have going on in your life (family, friends, girls, exercise, hobbies). Do not sweat what other people are doing. Do make sure that you devote serious time to your legal writing class. Good luck!

cool thanks for the help, I guess i'm just the stereotypical nervous 1L still

Maryland lawyers,

I have a friend barred in MD who wants to start doing court appointed work on the side. Unfortunately, figuring out how to get court appointed work in MD is impossible. He's searched all over the Internet (I've looked for him too) and even called the bar... no help at all.

In VA it's clearly spelled out on the IDC's website, but MD doesn't seem to have anything like that.

Anyone know?

Dude, text me next time.

Also, research skills fail:

http://www.opd.state.md.us/Applyfora...lAttorney.aspx

Nice. Thanks bro. I'll send it on.

IP clinic update - looks like we're GETTING OUR GUY OUT

...16 fkn years later

Anyone practice in WA State? I got a quick family law question I'd like to bounce off someone who would know.

Hi all,

Unfortunately, I am not brilliant like most of 2p2, and got a 163 on my LSAT. My college grades are kinda weird. I had a 2.35 GPA for one semester in the fall of '06, and a 4.0 for every semester since I went back somewhere else in the fall of '10.

Assuming I keep that, the cumulative would be a 3.8 or so (assuming they don't give me extra weight or penalize me further based on this anomaly).

Is it worth applying to anywhere decent? Do I have even a 5% chance at the worst t14? If no, is it still the opinion of all that I should not go to anywhere not in the t14? Do I have a shot at any decent school that isn't t14 but isn't a completely awful decision to go to?

Any advice other than "retake" would be appreciated. I know I should retake, but if I did I'd be pushing this whole process back an entire year so I would have plenty of time. I need to make some decisions as per next fall.

Thanks.

I'd start here

http://lawschoolnumbers.com/

Things are (apparently) really different now than they were even a couple years ago so most people aren't going to be able to say for sure where you'd get in but can give advice on where to go/where not to go/job stuff/etc.

I had a 3.8 GPA and 163 LSAT, so hopefully I can give you some insight. I applied to a bunch of mid level schools (40-70), some 20-40 and then one t14. I got in pretty much everywhere I applied, granted I was given a lot of free apps or I wouldn't have applied to so many schools. I eventually got a pretty generous scholly at a borderline t1 school and accepted so I can graduate debt-free.

Like everyone hear will tell you, it's going to depend on the other people taking the LSAT for this upcoming year, but I think if you can get a solid scholarship + want to practice within the region the school is located + have a general idea what law you want to study, I don't think it's an issue going to a non t14 school

edit: I'm a 1L right now as well, so my numbers should be close to yours, obv dependent on the incoming LSAT takers

Unless not waiting a year is worth >$100k to you, RETAKE. Seriously not retaking as many times as you can is almost always a horrible, horrible decision. 4-5 more points would mean admission + scholarships to t14 schools. Not everyone can break 170, but if you can get a 163, you can 100% get a 167-168 with enough preparation.

Honestly, I am a bit worried that retaking won't yield the results I want. I don't think it's out of the question that I turn a 163 into a 168 with a lot more studying, but I could very well see getting the same score again, considering this score was actually better than what most of my practice exams were.

And if I study for 6 more months just to get a similar score next October, I will be devastated knowing I wasted a year of my life.

Thanks for the response.

Unfortunately, I am from NY, and would prefer to stay here, even if it means not working in big law. I would have np going to school anywhere, but I wouldn't want to live and work the rest of my life in lots of places where I would get into, so that is a problem.

For app waivers, do they e-mail you? If so, when does this happen? I know some are hidden but probably not from the schools I'd be interested in.

Just call for fee waivers.

Apply anywhere you have interest in this year, especially if you can afford it/get waivers. Evaluate based on offers. If you don't like your options, try next year. There's no rush and right now the number of apps is WAY down, and it's probably going to be even more so this year/next year. If you can, visit schools.

Probably should avoid New York Law School and Brooklyn, even with full rides.

Things are kind of a mess right now and it's hard for anyone to give you advice unless you say this school vs that school.

Forgot to ask, did you get into the one t14 you applied to? And if so, mind sharing? If not publicly then through pm? Would really appreciate it.

yea this is what I'm going to do

Yea no problem, I got wait-listed at UPenn. Some others I applied to were PSU, Ohio St., William and Mary, Pitt, Indiana U, Iowa, Case Western Reserve. So a mix of anywhere from t14 to mid 70's overall. Pretty much every app was free as well, I think I only had to pay for UP. Also, a t3 in my area since it was free, but never truly considered going there, just had it as a complete fall back plan.


I had some ppl tell me I sold myself short a bit and that I should of waited a year/retaken. Honestly, I got a great scholarship package, meaning zero debt and I'm at a good school for my area where I feel like I can excel/graduate near the top of the class. I'm happy with my decision right now. (Finals week is looming soon though, so we'll see how quickly I change my mind )


edit: I should mention I graduated from a regional state school undergrad, not even close to ivy league. So I'm sure that is a factor in considering your GPA, depending on where you went. Also, my major was a dual history/poli sci, not sure if that matters too much or not.

It does not matter at all where you did undergrad and your score is not dependent on other LSAT takers your year.

well, there you have it.

Retake it's a freeroll