<p>Well I wasn't sure what sub forum to post this in but I decided it's mainly about law school:</p>
<p>I am currently a sophomore at Sacramento State University. I am currently undeclared but I am starting to consider Economics as a major. I am also considering Business (finance concentration). My plan is to go to law school, but the vibe I get from this forum is that it is pointless to go to any law school out of the top 50. I am wondering if this is really true. I understand that the firms that pay those attractive salaries require long hours of hard work but I know what I want and I am willing to work hard for it. I want to work in one of those firms. Though I can forecast how my grades might be throughout the remainder of my undergrad years, I can't really predict how I will do on the LSAT. So I don't know if I will be going to a top law school. So I wonder which law schools are "worth" going to considering the income I desire. Are people who go to 2nd and 3rd tier schools really doomed to $40-50k/year public defender positions? Back to what I was saying, I am wondering if I should major in Economics or Finance. I wonder because of the possibility of me not getting into an "acceptable" law school. So I'm trying to establish a backup plan early. One thing that concerns me about the Economics major at my school is listed in the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies, making it a B.A. From what I have read, a B.S. is more useful than a B.A. So I don't know if majoring in Business (which is a B.S.) would be more useful. Also, I thought about transferring to a better school. That might make me better off if I don't end up going to law school or even help me a little bit in admission to law school. Maybe I should try some LSAT practice exams now. How hard is the LSAT? Then again, maybe I shouldn't worry so much about a backup plan and just focus on my main goal. Also, when should I start on getting letters of rec and how many will I need? Any particular ECs I should get involved in? </p>
<p>To forecast your LSAT score, you could take some old tests and see how you do. LSACs website has one free LSAT and purchasing info for other LSATs. Bear in mind that your practice scores will improve with practice and study and that people tend to score slightly lower than practice on the real test.</p>
<p>VacaPro: In order to prevent yourself from pursuing a path that could possibly lead to a high income but could also produce extreme frustration, consider this first.
Why do you want to go to law school? Are you really interested in being a lawyer? If so, why? How much do you know about what being a lawyer is like? If the answer is - not a lot - then now is the perfect time to find out, by contacting a few lawyers and asking them what they do at work. There are also some descriptions on these boards, posted by lawyers.
Second. Bear in mind that most law school graduates don't get jobs at large firms that pay six-figure salaries and require 60-70 hours of working per week to earn that salary. If you like the Sacramento area, you might talk to local attorneys and see whether attending a local school such as UC Davis or McGeorge (if you are able to be admitted) would be a good idea for jobs in that area, and what sorts of jobs are available for new lawyers in or around Sacramento.</p>
<p>Third: bear in mind that many posters on this board are students like yourself and a given post might just be an expression of opinion by someone who doesn't really know a lot more than you do. Look for solid information rather than what anonymous people say.</p>
<p>I disagree with the majority. As it would be extremely nice and beneficial to attend a top 50 law school, it would not be the end of the world to go to a lower end school, as long as the ABA accredits the institution. The advantages of going to a top school are the oppurtunities that are jumping at you when you graduate and pass the bar. If you like to face reality, like me and many others, law school is not a piece of pie thats just handed to you with no questions asked. Youhave to work and work and work. Going to a lower level law school givesw you the same chances theoretically, but you have to be willing to work hard.</p>
<p>a 1400 is 99th already? i thought it would be at least 1450. it doesn't seem THAT rare to have a 1400; it is hard to believe that they are only 1% of test-takers.</p>
<p>I did much much better on the LSAT than this method would indicate. I guess working hard in college can make you smarter. Anyway, just take a practice test-it is no big deal.</p>