Miami or year off?

[moosemeatpie]

Compromise.  Take a year off and spend it in Miami.   

how confident are you in excelling in miami and how ready are you to bust your ass the first year?

in the year off, your GPA is not going to rise any much more, and statistically, it is likely that any rise in your LSAT will make a significant difference.

if you take the year off and get your apps complete as early as possible, it is rather likely you could get into baylor or SMU. but there's also something to be said for kickin ass at miami and transferring to your school of choice. plus you get to chill in MIAMI for a year. and you also do not waste that year of your life in the limbo.

i mean, either way, it seems to be a personal choice, either way, it seems to require a bit of sacrifice and willingness to work hard.

[starter]

take the year off. i don't know why you would want to settle.

[midjeep]

Well I didn't get into SMU last year (just waitlisted) and did this year, but I improved my LSAT by 8 points. If you improved by 5 points or more you would be an auto admit.

I hope this doesn't come off as jerkish, but I think something might have been off on your PS (I'll review it if you want). I think you might have rubbed the adcom the wrong way with something in your application. I know one can't really compare files, but you should have been accepted/waitlisted at better schools than myself (especially given my numbers). Maybe you left Miami in all of your PS  (j/k). It will be ultimately up to you on where you want to go to law school and if it's worth the wait (I waited a year and it has flown by quickly, except for the summer though).

[---------]

Why don't you apply to Baylor for Spring 2006? I think they're still taking applications.

[texas1]

i didnt get in to any of my Texas schools.  Should I take a year off work, retake the LSAT, and reapply or just go to Miami?  I am going to visit Miami in a few weeks. I love the city and am sure I will like the school.  my biggest concern is job prospects after graduation as I know I want to work in Texas.

thanks for your suggestions/insight.

Jeff

Hey Jeff, sorry to hear that things didn't work out...I would suggest sitting out and applying earlier next year. Also consider Texas Tech. It may not seem as prestigious as some of the other schools, but with your #'s a scholarship is likely, and if you want to work in TX, I think it would serve you better than Miami.

Good luck in whatever you choose!

[Amanda H.]

I would reapply early next year.  I'm sure applying late didn't help you this round.

Personally, though, I'd rather study and work in Miami.

Since when was Dec. late, esp. compared to how many people Texas WL's and how long SMU and Baylor take to make a decision?  Also, have you ever lived in Texas?

Late December / Early Jan is definitely late if you want the best consideration of your app, and the best shot at admission.  Classes fill up pretty quickly, and schools prefer students who show early interest.  To get in later in the cycle (Dec/Jan), you generally need stronger numbers.

The fact that some decisions are delayed doesn't really change any of the above.  I'm not sure how the Texas WL is even relevant, except that it highlights the importance of applying early so you actually get accepted, and not just on the waitlist. 

I've never lived in Texas, but I've visited it, and travelled through it, and it's just not someplace where I'd personally want to live and work.  (I don't have a problem with the people or culture, I more just don't like the geography.)  I've also visited Miami and travelled through Florida, and that is someplace where I would like to live and work.  Obviously, this is a personal preference, but the real question is:  Have you ever lived in Miami?  You might find you prefer it after studying there.  I hope you've at least visited it, so it's a fully informed decision.

But again, if you apply early next year, you should have a better shot at Texas schools, even with the same numbers.  Applying early will help, and apps will probably be down somewhat.  You can also try to raise your LSAT score if you want, though this may not be necessary.

I would just visit Miami if you haven't already, just in case.