<p>I graduated from a prestigious private school with a 3.55 GPA. I'm a member of Mortar Board, have over four years of consistent employment (at the same employer), volunteer work experience, as well as leadership experience. </p>
<p>As you can see from my SN I dream of becoming an Attorney. However, as I learn more about the application process I feel as though I don't have much chance of getting into a good Law school. </p>
<p>I had a rough go of things when I was 18-20 years old (I'm 25 now). Basically, I was irresponsible, had a bunch of health problems (that qualify as a disability) and I was overwhelmed with problems in my personal life.</p>
<p>Due to all of this I basically failed out of a semester of college (Instead of withdrawing I just never went back kind of thing). I actually am enrolled at the SAME university now, in an MBA program. There is a <em>chance</em> I can turn those grades into withdraws. </p>
<p>It gets worse though because at my community college (where I went prior to the university disaster) I didn't do well in two courses. I took Algebra 2, twice, and did horribly each time. I talked to the CC about academic forgiveness for these classes. But there is no guarantee that it will happen. </p>
<p>I'm not extremely worried about the LSAT. I study every day, I know how serious and important it is, and I take it very seriously. But I am very worried about the GPA and the repercussions it may have on my applications. </p>
<p>Any input would be extremely helpful, I really hope my past mistakes haven't ruined my future chances of becoming a lawyer. Thanks! :)</p>
<p>I strongly advise you not to become a lawyer.</p>
<p>There is a vast over-supply of lawyers.</p>
<p>You are better off sticking with your MBA.</p>
<p>Or if you insist on going to law school, do it at night.</p>
<p>It is not a good use of your time and money.</p>
<p>I base this advice not only on my own experience, but also on the experiences of countless friends and co-workers.</p>
<p>I was given this same advice 30 years ago, when I was getting my MBA. I ignored it, to my detriment.</p>
<p>The fact that you are getting your MBA might mitigate the fact that your undergraduate years were not that great.</p>
<p>But please consider my advice.</p>
<p>If you were crossing the street and were about to get hit by a bus, you would want to be warned, right?</p>
<p>Well consider this warning in the same light.</p>
<p>Hi FlordiaDad,</p>
<p>Thanks for your advice, I will keep it in mind. Studying the law has always been something I have wanted to do. I guess I naively feel like when I get out of Law School (should I get in) job opportunities for lawyers will change. </p>
<p>I am also good at finding jobs when others cannot. That said, I feel better that I will have an MBA going into Law School as a back up should I not be able to find a job as a an attorney. </p>
<p>Thanks for your advice!!</p>
<p>Don’t want to disagree with FloridaDad-he is giving good advice-but let me try to answer your question.
First, let me ask-how did you manage a 3.55GPA after the CC and university “disaster(s)”? Does this include your graduate school grades?
Regarding getting into a “good” school-I’d guess all law schools think they’re good, just ask them-I’ll guess you mean T14. The reality is, it sounds as if you may have a compelling personal story to tell. That said, it’s near impossible to get a realistic view of your chances without an LSAT score; frankly, that will make or break your chances. With a great score, your story may be heard; without it, probably not.<br>
You sound like a talented person, so study hard for the LSAT; that will rule your application.
And to tag onto FloridaDad; if you decide to go, after all is said and done, don’t go until you have thought through the financial ramifications of going to law school. We’ve all read about law school grads with 150+K in debt and no job and no prospects. The problem is no one thinks that will happen to them. It can. SO only go if you can keep the debt necessary at a manageable level.</p>
<p>Hi Cranky Old Man,</p>
<p>Well yeah I do have an interesting story to tell. Not quite short or appropriate for a public message board 
</p>
<p>I will say this though: I started out at my CC and did okay, then I left to the university. I did alright there my first semester, not stellar, but I managed. </p>
<p>I had completely different, and bad priorities, at that time. I allowed a relationship to take over my life. So I dropped out of school etc. </p>
<p>About three years later I went BACK to the community college, did well there (left with about a 2.9 – not awesome but I had those math grades etc.) and transferred to my private university. I graduated there with a 3.55 because I really do love school, and I am good at it. I just had the wrong priorities in my life when I was younger.</p>
<p>My master’s degree grades are not equated into that 3.55. </p>
<p>Debt is something I will majorly consider if I get into Law School. I don’t want to be impeded by debt in my future. </p>
<p>Thanks very much for your advice!</p>
<p>Hello Dreamer(was going to address you as LSD but that didn’t seem quite right…):</p>
<p>To end up with a 3.55 GPA from where you started is nothing short of amazing. Study hard for the LSAT, as that’s the only missing piece for your compelling law school application. With your skills, you’ll do well; good luck and let us know which law school you’ll be attending.</p>
<p>Your LSDAS gpa will be a culmination of all colleges that you have attended. They will calculate your community college grades along with the grades from the school where you got your bachelors (in short, your GPA will take a hit). Even if the grades are “forgiven”, if the failing grade is on the transcript, it will be calculated into your LSDAS gpa.</p>
<p>Since the LSDAS only calculates the grades that you have received since your first bachelors, your grad degree will essentially have no bearing.</p>