u/Pretty-Interview-448

I returned to school after a substantial break (nearly 20 years) to finish my undergrad degree. I had a very rough semester at my first 4-year college (I transferred from a community), and it hammered my GPA. Prior, I'd been Dean's List. Not so much there. Anyway, the economy crashed in 2008, and I dropped out in 2009 after trying to make it on my own/full time school for a while. (My major was one that required lots of 'studio time'). Anyway, long story short, I'm back and I'm killing it in a double major Poli Sci/Philosophy with an Institutional 3.93 GPA. And a minor in Theatre that I finished up for the hell of it (I was a major at the 4-year). Yes, I have an addendum prepared, but I feel like the writing is on the wall for me.

I've been figuring this out all on my own, as my father was a plumber and my mother was a kindergarten teacher at a church. It has been a punch to the gut to see my CAS GPA of 3.19. Seriously - it's the most nihilistic I've felt about this process so far. It's also been a punch in the gut that my PTs have not been nearly what they need to be to outweigh this fucking CAS GPA. I feel like scholarships -- which I would 100000% need -- are not going to happen. I cancelled my October LSAT, and I'm thinking of cancelling the November, too. I'm now thinking of going the grad school route, with my eye on a program in Germany (free higher education) and I'm toying with the idea of going the Ph.D. route instead, with a few programs near by that I think I'd excel in.

Being a lawyer was the dream, so I feel like I'm cheating myself by not even applying, but now that GRAD Plus loans are gone, it's changed the game significantly for me. I've been through a lot in life, and I do feel I would make a great attorney, but as far as a business decision goes, the schooling for it does NOT skew in my favor if I choose this route. Not only do I feel I would struggle significantly to even be admitted, there's no way I'd not have to take out heavy loans, and I just cannot do that.

I don't know what I'm expecting from this post - maybe someone else who identifies schooling as a business decision? Feeling like a weird mixture of despondent, toothless, and relegated.

Any insight that lends itself as productive or helpful is appreciated.

Does anyone else seem to have trouble getting their brain to shift into LSAT gear when they're first beginning a PT? Or section? I do so much better after a good 6-7 questions, but I've heard that on test day (which I try to duplicate conditions for each time I PT) it's not advised to do warm-ups?? Does anyone else struggle with this? If so, what do you do?

I’ve been studying as best I can for several months now, and it took me a while to jump 10+ points from my very average diagnostic. I’ve improved with LSATDemon (book and all the free resources on their website), am reading diligently through PowerScore LR Bible (‘24-‘25). I’m in the middle of finals right now (6 classes, coming right out of a Jan Term) ,so studying for LSAT has been lax lately, but I’ve been keeping a mistakes journal. I do well enough to feel comfortable with my RC scores, and know that I can improve them with drilling some more, but I need to take my first LSAT this September. I will (very likely) graduate summa cum laude with a 3.92, with a double major in philosophy and political science and a minor in theatre. I can study anything. But I can’t seem to get that “ah ha!” moment from LSAT just yet. Powerscore helped. Before finals, I was doing an hour a day, minimum studying. But then, you know, end of year shit! Obviously, I use LawHub like crazy. Also, I’m one of the Fee Waiver Beneficiaries on LSAC, if that matters. I’m just trying to think what might be pertinent before I post and then obsessively re-read, over and over.

I’m not taking classes this summer (working an internship with a local court) and so I’ll have some money. I’m thinking it’s time to ramp up to 7Sage? Or? I’m a high achiever type, so I don’t want to say what I feel like my score could be, but I know that I can learn anything when I put my mind to it. I’m hoping to start school in Fall 2027. I’m at 157 right now as my best, averaging 154. Feeling dumb…and a little desperate?

Many thanks in advance for any insights 🐈‍⬛