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<li>Is it a good idea if I take a year off after undergrad school and do research, internships, and get work experience? The benefits range from the grad schools looking at my senior year grade (assuming that they are good) and obtaining more experience in research and in work. However, many ppl say that the brain doesn't function as well if you don't do any school work that requires study like you would do in UG or Graduate school.</li>
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<p>Answer: It's a good idea to take a year or two or more off between college and law school. It just helps to "grow up" a bit. I didn't and I think it was a huge mistake not to...even though I think I would have ended up at the same law school. But that's a different question than whether taking the year off will help get you into a better LS. If your grades improve the second semester of senior year, having those grades included in your gpa will help in admissions. Otherwise, ONE year off won't make a whole heck of a lot of a difference in terms of your admissions chances. </p>
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<li>When is the best time to study for the LSATs if I don't take a year off? When is the best time if I do take a year off?</li>
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<p>Answer: If you don't take a year off, the best time to take the LSAT is in June after your junior year of college. Obviously that means you must study before that. If you do take ONE year off, then it MIGHT make sense to study the summer after you graduate. Still, taking the October LSAT isn't as good as taking the June LSAT. (The earlier in the admissions cycle you apply, the better your odds of getting in.) However, while I freely admit I'm a parent...there is NO WAY my kid would have studied for the JUNE LSAT after senior year. Maybe if you attend a college which doesn't require a thesis and at which no one ever contracted senioritis..but ...in the real world...If you take TWO years off, then you could study for the JUNE LSAT in the year before you apply. </p>
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<li>I went to community college for my first two years, and I didn't do so strong. I have a 3.35 overall GPA. In addition, I was sick for one of my semesters and did horrible in that semester, but bounced back with a 3.66 and a 3.35 GPA in the following semesters. If I improve and get over a 3.6+ (or even higher) GPA in this next two years, will the big dog schools (Harvard, Stanford, Cal, UCLA) consider me?</li>
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<p>Answer: It depends upon your LSAT score--and in the case of Cal and UCLA, whether you are legally a California resident. Again, please note: if you apply later, your senior year grades will count. Seriously, though..IMHO, if you are not a California state resident...you're going to need a gpa WELL above 3.8 to have a chance of getting into any of the schools on your list if you have a 3.35 after two years. However, LSAT MATTERS A LOT. If you score 180, you have a chance ;) ! </p>
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<li>Is it true that if you go to law school and then you go into public service, that all your debt will be eliminated?</li>
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<p>Answer: It depends upon the LS you attend and how long you work in public service. It is my understanding that at all but one of the top 16 LS's (hint the one exception is on your list) have very good loan forgiveness programs. They work on a year by year basis, however. By that I mean you are expected to pay back X $'s per year for Y number of years. If you work in public service for less than Y years..you'll have to repay the loan during those years your income is above X. If that's not clear, at my kid's LS, if you earn less than $45,000 a year, you don't have to repay anything during that year. Above that # it's on a sliding scale. Once you start earning above $80,000 or so...you have to make 100% of the loan repayment due in that year. The numbers are adjusted based on cost of living.
Below the top 14, there are schools with loan forgiveneness programs, but they may limit the # of students who participate and participation may be competitive. The lower you go...as a GENERAL rule..the less likely the loans will be forgiven. </p>
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<li>If I get a big name person to do a letter of recommendation, will that reflect well on the admission staff? I'm not saying that I'm going to suck up or find a way to get these ppl to do a favor for me, but I'm planning on interning for a political rep. like a Senator or a Congressmen or a Mayor.</li>
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<p>Answer: Academic reps usually matter most. If the person writing the rec really knew you well and could write an eloquent rep, it might help a little. If you are only taking ONE year off, it's probable that the rec will be written by somone who will say he or she has known you 3- 4 months. Unlikely to be helpful. </p>
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<li><p>How many law schools should you apply to?
Answer: It depends upon your final #s and where you want to go. Check back when you have a LSAT score. My kid only applied to 3 schools. Kid felt that if the "big dogs" if you've called them, didn't send a thick envelope then kid would follow Aries's game plan and apply to the top-rated LS in our region.</p></li>
<li><p>Do most graduates practice law in the area in which they went to school?
At the top LS's..no. Below the top 100, yes. In between, it varies. </p></li>
<li><p>Is it hard to get into a school for a joint degree program?
Answer: It depends upon the LS and the joint degree program.</p></li>
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