What are my options, realistically?

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>I'll try to be brief - I go to smaller state school in Wisconsin, I just turned 21 and I graduate this December. Right now I'm taking a class for my major in communication law, and I'm really interested in it. I never really thought about law school until I took this class, but I'm starting to think about it now.</p>

<p>Anyway, my GPA will be around a 3.4 range when I graduate. I've worked as an editor at the school paper, and I've been on the dean's list a few times during my undergrad career. My question is this: do I have a shot at law school? I know it's tough to project without an LSAT, but I'm just kind of starting to consider it. I'm going to graduate with about $15,000 of debt in student loans. I don't see how out-of-state law school could work, as I could never afford it. There are only two schools here, Marquette and Wisconsin. Marquette is over $30,000 a year, and I doubt I would get into Wisconsin (not sure on this, but I think I would be on the weaker side of their applicants).</p>

<p>Have you considered night school?</p>

<p>I worked full-time and went to law school at night (a 4-year program rather than 3...10-11 hours/semester instead of 12-15)...there are multiple night school programs around the country; they allow you to support yourself while you're going to school...back when I did it (ages ago, so the numbers don't compare to today's tuitions and costs of living), I was able to support myself and pay about half the cost of law school--borrowed the rest...</p>

<p>I think there's only one "elite" law school w/a night program (Georgetown), but I could be wrong...worth looking into, tho...</p>

<p>Good luck w/your decision...</p>

<p>Because of the importance LSAT plays in admissions, it is very tough to gauge chances without a score. Depending on what you get on it, you could possibly go anywhere from a T-14 to Tier 4. If you're really determined to pursue law school, then by all means study hard for the LSAT. Your gpa probably keeps you out of HYS, but a 170+ will likely get you into a number of Top-14 schools (if that's what you're aiming for). </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>