Sophomore needing advice

Graduate School Law School
1

<p>I am now in my second year, and I was wondering where I should be in terms of everything in order to get into a top 10 law school. </p>

<p>(For example, should I start LSAT prep yet? etc.)</p>

<p>( I had originally wanted to study abroad, however I don't think the abroad GPA is calculated into your undergraduate GPA, and I want all of my grades to count , unless they end up sucking.) Thus, I want to weigh the benefits and costs of studying abroad. The cost to me would be the GPA not counting. Regarding the benefit, would studying abroad help my application in any way?)</p>

2

<p>Sophomore year is soon to start planning for the LSAT…focusing on maintaining a high GPA is more important as i recall</p>

<p>don’t see why Studying abroad would not factor into overall GPA</p>

3

<p>
[quote]
don’t see why Studying abroad would not factor into overall GPA

[/quote]
</p>

<p>It depends on where you study abroad. Oxford, for instance, does not grade, so the home institution provides a pass or a fail depending on the recommendation of your tutor(s).</p>

4

<p>Even if your college doesn't count the grades towards your GPA, LSAC will still use them to calculate the GPA they report to the law schools you apply to.</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
Even if your college doesn't count the grades towards your GPA, LSAC will still use them to calculate the GPA they report to the law schools you apply to.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>That is not necessarily true; it depends on whether the international school at which you study abroad qualifies to have their grades interpreted by the LSAC.</p>

6

<p>Study abroad. Don't not do it because some admissions officer, somewhere, might not like it. It's just as likely that an admissions officer would use it as a tip factor to get you in, figuring that you're an interesting person who can bring something else to the table.</p>

<p>Law school admissions is about two things: LSAT and GPA. If those numbers are in the range, it comes down to other factors. I imagine that letters of recommendation that said you are such a complete grade-grubbing weenie that you refused to study abroad for fear of damaging your GPA might be detrimental. Hypothetically. </p>

<p>You only get undergrad once. I will always say that GPA is important in law school admissions, but really, an extra hundreth of a point isn't going to make the difference at some school. The effect of a small GPA differential is completely hypothetical and will not be the deciding factor at most of the schools you're applying to. So get over the grade obsession.</p>

7

<p>studying abroad -> perspective -> useful for personal statements.
be prepared to give LSAT your all by June of your junior year.</p>

8

<p>I have decided though to take a gap year and work in something ultra-fun and interesting to me, although not lucrative. So would I still have to take the LSAT senior year or is it recommended to get it out of the way?</p>

9

<p>LSAT scores are valid for 5 years. if you're taking a gap year, taking it in your senior june might not be so bad, although your brain will probably die from the constant drinking of graduation season</p>

10

<p>hahaha...I'm going backpacking in Europe for my grad present, and thank God for European alcohol. I'm really an incredible lightweight, but I'll work on it. It kind of sucks that I still have to study for it while I'm in college though. It seems I barely have time for it given only my extracurriculars and classes. :(</p>