<p>I'm a HS Senior, and a friend and I are planning to start prepping for the LSATs over the summer together. As far as I've been informed, it's more of a how-do-you-think test than a memorize-these-facts-and-what-have-you-learned-in-college test, so we figure that that starting now will only help us understand the mental processes that are required of the LSATs.</p>
<p>But at the same time, what's a good year to start prepping for the LSATs? Are we just going to make ourselves sick of it by starting now [I'm planning to go to a 4year uni or college, AND grad school before going into Law School], or is it good that we're starting early?</p>
<p>Any feedback will be much appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>It doesn't take 4 years to prepare. It takes about a year on and off if you want a reasonable plan. Start sophmore year of college, then take the september LSAT your junior year of college and apply to law school.</p>
<p>I doubt you will increase much unless you dedicate yourself like an hour every 1 or 2 days which is pretty hardcore. There are diminishing returns, and it only takes about 1 year of a regular regime to max out IMO. </p>
<p>And you will get more benefits from doing well in your classes. If you're a math/science major you will develop your analytical skills. If you are a humanities major you will develop your reading skills.</p>
<p>Oohhh okay, so basically unless I dedicate myself like an hour every 1 or 2 days for...a long time, it won't benefit me much to start earlier?</p>
<p>And is it better to go straight into Law School after undergrad, without going through grad school? Or is it better to have a background from grad school too?</p>
<p>Yeah, planning to go into PoliSci/PoliTheory, so hopefully that'll help me out (:</p>
<p>Not to be entirely sarcastic... but don't you have anything better to do with your time? You don't even know if you are going to law school; there's no requirement that you start law school immediately after college; and GPA is also important in law school admissions. </p>
<p>Imagine a fifth-grader who wants to start studying for the SATs. That is exactly the situation you are in now. I would be shocked if all that studying really helped your score; I would be even more shocked if a college student could not find more productive uses for his time, whether it be studying something one enjoys, working, socializing, sleeping, or doing the thousand other things that college students like to do. I personally felt that I did not have nearly enough time during undergrad to take all the opportunities available at my beloved alma mater; I didn't have enough time to take all of the courses I wanted to take, do the research I wanted to do, or participate in athletics and poetry and socialize. </p>
<p>I would also suggest that you strongly consider taking a year off (at least) between undergrad and law school. Some law schools really want to see work experience; many of them encourage their students to work or travel before attending law school. In four years, if you're at a good school and working hard, you'll be burnt out. I remember being absolutely thankful in May of my senior year that I was done with school for a while (although I was studying for the LSATs at the time); in November after graduation, I realized that I was still wound up from college; and in the spring before I started law school I felt like I was ready to go back and work hard. Law school will take a lot out of you - you really should go in ready to work. For me, I feel like I'm a better student for having taken time off - it's much easier to treat law school like a job - get certain things done every day, then move on with your life. The flip side is that you'll rarely have time off - in college or in law school - esp. the latter - and time off in between will make you appreciate both school and the weekend. I love working, in part, because there is something fantastic about leaving the office on Friday (sure, might be seven at night) and knowing that I don't have to think about anything until Monday. </p>
<p>Long rant short, you're too damn young to study for the LSATs. Don't even think about it until you're legal to drink. (No, I'm not just saying that because a sangria and some sunshine makes the LSATing so much better.)</p>
<p>Hahaha that is DEFINITELY a valid question to ask, ariesathena. Yes, I am planning to do other things this summer; interning at a law firm, going to the POTC 2 premier, going to the beach, etc etc. I guess we just figured that it's never to early to start [and I do have to admit, it sounds kind of fun...I know, idealistic much? Hahhaa] and I kind of want to get a sense of what it'll be like/what to focus on in the years to come. </p>
<p>It is exactly because I am afraid that I won't have time during college that I want to start now: my original thinking was that if I can get a pretty solid basis on the test now, then it will take less effort to understand it or master it in the future. </p>
<p>Thanks for the advice--I will definitely keep that in mind after graduating. I'm actually planning to go to grad school before law school [is that a bad plan? It seems like most people go straight to law], and I'm planning to, hopefully, intern every summer until then. </p>
<p>Yeah...it's the burning out factor that I'm most afraid of, actually. Yours sounds like a smart route: I'll keep it in mind when I'm nearing graduation. I wouldn't mind taking a year to work in the actual field before going into a specialized school.</p>
<p>Hahaha...considering that I'm graduating from undergrad before I can drink, I'm afraid by then it'll be a tad too late.</p>
<p>Thank you SO much for your advice; it's definitely given me a better perspective on what's to come (:</p>
<p>To be more more clear, I mean you won't really see returns from studying for more than a year unless you study an hour every day or two IMO. And even then I bet the returns will be minimal. Spending that much time on a test will also not be representative of your natural abilities eh?</p>
<p>You probably have no idea what the law is like and you should probably test the waters out in a lot of careers first by interning. Law is a demanding mistress and you have to care about what you're doing to sustain your work ethic.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Law is a demanding mistress
[/quote]
I know a few people who like to say that they had no idea she was such a nympomaniac.</p>
<p>Yes, you can do grad school first. Some law schools like to see the master's degree; it shows that you can do upper-level work. You aren't a kid who has only taken the minimum required number of challenging classes - you have another degree.</p>
<p>I would, however, consider what the purpose of all that education is. If you're considering a highly specialized legal field, a master's (or a Ph.D.) can be a huge asset. For example, it is helpful for patent attorneys to have not just undergrad engin. degrees, but master's as well. Perhaps a grad degree in accounting or similar might be helpful if you want corporate law. </p>
<p>The ages of incoming law students in my class was 20 to mid-40s. There are a fair number of people in their 30s who are here, and they make good law students. Again, don't get hung up on getting all of your degrees in order. There's also a lot to be said for networking before you ever set foot in law school - law is a part of almost every facet of industry these days, so having someone in the industry who knows you and can give you a leg up can be an enormous help. </p>
<p>My two cents. Actually, I'm really opinionated, so it's at least a nickel.</p>
<p>I think Nymphomaniac is the wrong term, since it implies you might get some pleasure out of it at least.</p>
<p>I think the analogy of having a mistress whom you can't leave but jacks up all your credit card bills, alienates and pushes away all your friends, and devours all your time with picayune activities is a more accurate analogy.</p>
<p>I'm just a stickler for details.</p>