please tell me what else can i do? i really would like to attend law school this year. i know that the lsat is very important, but surely there must be a way? do you really believe that your score indicates how well you will perform in law school?
i am so sad right now.
i did everything. i took a prep course, had a tutor, studied all the lsat books and did all the practice tests.
what can i do?
2007-01-03 10:52:22 · 5 answers · asked by bluepuddle 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
I disagree with the previous poster's comments about the LSAT, which seemed to suggest that the test can indicate whether particular candidates are "intellectual equals." Because LSAT scores can improve with preparation, this makes me seriously doubt whether the test can actually be used as an intelligence test. A real intelligence test would not have results that fluctuate depending on the amount of preparation.
Furthermore, the previous poster indicated that someone with a low score could be an excellent lawyer. I find it hard to resolve the idea that someone with supposedly "inferior" intelligence (according to the previous poster) could be an excellent attorney. I'm not mentioning these point just to be argumentative or negative. I just don't want you do think of this exam as a reflection of the person that you are (or a reflection of your potential).
Indeed, you may feel discouraged right now. You have to take a deep breath, and ask yourself some questions about the kind of person that you are (e.g., your passions, your personality, and your dislikes), your career goals, and your "life goals".
First, you must ask yourself if there's any way that you could have prepared more for the exam. If you prepared as much as you possibly could, then you must now consider what schools you can get into, and whether you're interested in going to these schools. You must also ask yourself -- "why do I want to be a lawyer?" and "is there anything else I am passionate about?"
You should really take some time to ponder this. I also encourage you not to go to law school because of family pressure or because of perceived financial pressure. It's so important to love the job that you do. It's important not to go to law school for anyone else other than you.
As you may have guessed, I was in a similar situation. I didn't score that well on my LSATs. I got into a 'decent' law school, but not the one that I had my heart set on. I really questioned whether I should actually go to law school, or select another field. I also questioned if I would be a good lawyer, and I used to feel inferior to law students at top tier schools.
Then, I realized how badly I wanted to be a lawyer, and I used my time at law school to learn as much as I possibly could about intellectual property. I didn't give up (even when my bad days at law school outnumbered the good ones). My hard work paid off. I have a job that I love, and I got a very high-paying job. So, oddly enough...I'm more successful than my friends who graduated from top tier schools.
Well, that's my story. I know you will make your own success story. Good luck and best wishes!
2007-01-03 13:27:52 · answer #1 · answered by crimsonplume 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LSAT doesn't test knowledge of a particular subject. It tests how you think. Prep courses can't work miracles. There are limits to how much they can improve.
I don't think the score indicates how well you will perform in law school. However, law school involves a lot of analytical thinking and that is something the LSAT shows to a certain degree.
Frankly, it's a base line test. That's how I see it. Score above a 150 and you should make it to some ABA accredited law school. That's all you really need if your goal is to become a lawyer. Above that, the LSAT just helps schools determine if an applicant will fit in with the others they admit.
Think about it. Someone who scores a 150 is almost certainly not going to be the intellectual equal of someone who scores a 175. The standard deviation btw 1 point is just too high. That 150 person is going to get smoked at a school like Harvard. Law schools grade on a curve. Does it mean that person doesn't have what it takes to become a lawyer? No. Just that the competition at Harvard is likely too much for them. They can be a lawyer. May end up being a great one. But a Harvard education is likely not the right environment for them (likely would discourage them into quitting).
What did you score? Not being a lawyer isn't the end of the world. The profession isn't as glamorous or as high paying as the rest of the world thinks it is.
2007-01-03 11:26:18 · answer #2 · answered by Linkin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Possible? Yes. Likely? Not even a little bit. The LSAT tests the way you think. You either get it or you don't. Things like studying and taking prep classes can teach you strategies to deal with the exam itself, but it's just not possible to learn to think the way the test requires in a short amount of time. I think a month and a half of "pure extreme studying" is overkill and will do more harm than good, but if that strategy has worked for you in the past I guess it's worth a shot. Everyone approaches it differently, although generally I think people would agree that full-length practice tests are pretty important. If you are sure law school is the direction you want to go, all you can really do is practice and hope for the best. I think you should try to be a little bit more realistic, though, so that the plans you make reflect your likely score rather than a dream score.
2016-05-22 23:59:33 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Standardized tests are a test of natural ability. Study classes for LSATs, GMATs, and other things should only bring your grades up between 1 and 10 points from their starting point. Perhaps you are better suited for a career in something other than law? There are too many people with law degrees who are good at studying and taking tests without being good talkers, persuaders, movers of men ... If you are interested in arguing points, supporting your ideals with facts, and beating back tyranny through preparation, there are opportunities to apply the ideals of the juris doctorate in almost every profession. If you just want to get decently paid to lie, study more.
2007-01-03 11:05:25 · answer #4 · answered by rossdfarian 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you really want to go to law school don't give up and "settle" for another career. Some people (like myself) can be extremely intelligent and a horrible test-taker at the same time. Don't give up. If it's what you want, you'll find a way to get your grades up. My suggestion? Find someone you're really attracted to and play "Strip Study" like Adam Sandler did in 'Billy Madison'!
2007-01-03 11:16:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋