GTE (2022-2023)

Advance Degree: MPA
Employer: The City of New York
Other Employment: I am the founder and president of a charitable and educational 501 c 3 not-for-profit organization.

Hello lawschoolnumbers.com members:

This is my second time around applying to law school. I applied last cycle only to be denied by Seton Hall, St. Johns, Brooklyn, Hofstra, and New York Law School. I also applied to CUNY Law, but they contacted me, and advised that I withdraw my application.

In September 2009 I took the LSAT for the fourth time. I prepped for hours and hours, week after week, scoring in the 150s on the majority of the practice exams that I took. I scored a 141 on the September 2009 LSAT and was disappointed, although I scored 17 points higher than my last LSAT. The LSAT has been a hurdle that I have continued to struggle with, but although this hurdle has tripped me up, it has not affected my determination to become a law school student. (LSAT Scores: 127, 133, 124, 141).

I have considered going away for law school, but have come to the conclusion that I would be giving up way to much. I am hoping a 141 can get me into a New York or New Jersey law school, but competition is fierce. I have applied to CLEO and spoke to their staff, but they have made it clear to me that I need a school to nominate me for a spot in their six week summer institute, where I may be given an opportunity to interview with other schools for admission also.

I just want to go to law school in NY or NJ part-time after work. Is that too much to ask? with my LSAT scores the answer is YES it seems lol

I am also applying to the NYLEO program when the application is released. Hopefully I can get in

According to lawschoolpredictor.com I am a weak consider for NYLS and Touro I am hoping they give me a shot. NYLS has a special conditional admissions program that is 3,000 to 4,000 dollars. I am hoping to get an offer.

I am applying to SJU Law because they have a summer institute also. It seems that they only offer it to candidates in the high 140s to low 150s. Well we shall see. I will have the application out by this week...

I applied to Rutgers-Newark this year because they have an option on their application to be considered based on your experience or scores. I figured at 25 I am pretty well rounded so I applied based on my experience in government and in the public sector.

I applied to Pace this year because they give you a chance to interview. But believe it or not they DENIED my request for an interview last Saturday. I was really hurt but quickly got over it.

I would love feedback. Please feel free to post your comments. I have rough skin and welcome constructive criticism.

12-1-2009: Mailed out my documents for the LSAC fee waiver. I am hoping to get the wavier and apply to out of state schools for free. I just want to try my luck.

According to the LSAC website: Each approved LSAC fee waiver will entitle you to:

two LSATs (test dates must fall within the two-year waiver period);

one registration for LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (LSDAS), which includes the Letter of Recommendation Service and access to electronic applications for all LSAC-member law schools;

four law school reports included with the Credential Assembly Service (LSDAS), available only after final approval of an LSAC fee waiver;

one copy of the Official LSAT SuperPrep.

Fee waivers will be good for two years from the date of conditional approval of the waiver by LSAC.

Although I have spent some major bucks already on prep courses and applications in the past, a wavier would be nice at this point. The application for the LSAC wavier was pretty simple I would suggest that everyone in financial need apply for it.

12-2-2009: I am submitting online applications to Quinnipiac University School of Law and also University of Idaho College of Law. I spoke to my pre-law advisor and he STONGLY suggested that I apply. University of Idaho College of Law granted me a fee waiver last night. I emailed a fee wavier request and they responded in approximately ten minutes with a fee waiver code. GREAT SERVICE!

12-3-2009: Quinnipiac University emailed me today and stated that their usual process for granting application fee waivers is to abide by the fee waiver process established by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). If LSAC grants me a waiver, then they will honor that and, in turn, waive their application fee. Today, I also applied for the 2010 CLEO Attitude is Essential Pre-Law Program.

12-4-2009: Applied to University of Idaho College of Law and The University of Akron School of Law today. Hoping for the best.

12-4-2009: Decided to add Ohio Northern University to the list.

12-5-2009: The 2010 CLEO Six Week Summer Institute will be held at Florida International University College of Law (June 7 to July 16, 2010) and University of Missouri School of Law (June 13 to July 22, 2010). Good Luck to all hoping to attend.

12-7-2009: Received an email granting my request for an LSAC fee wavier.
12-7-2009: Applied to NYC Mayor's Scholarship Program
12-7-2009: Applied to Quinnipiac University School of Law

12-8-2009: Came across interesting articles today about SUNY- Binghamton University. They want to establish a law school, which would be the third public institution in the State of New York. I wish them luck.

http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2007/12/04/suny-binghamton-mulling-adding-a-law-school/

http://www2.binghamton.edu/think/pdfs/law-school-brochure.pdf

12-9-2009: Thanks for the advice Donttreadonme. CUNY Law is definitely high on my list. I applied there last year but withdrew after a conversation with the Dean. I must add... CUNY Law was the only institution to reach out to me and provide encouragement and guidance last cycle. A 141 LSAT score I'm sure will not get me in, but it may get me into the pipeline to justice program. Thomas M. Cooley Law School... Great school, but it's not for me. Thanks again for the advice and God Bless.

12-9-2009: Thank you for the encouragement Anonymous. Pace University has an awesome environmental law program. You should look into it. There is a big buzz in New York City about living GREEN. Many of the new construction residential buildings that are now being built in NYC are working their developers hard, to become LEED (The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. I recently volunteered with Habitat for Humanity NYC on a building in Brooklyn which obtained a Gold LEED rating. The building I believe is their largest development (41 affordable residential condominium units). Anyway, starting an environmental not-for-profit seems challenging but yet rewarding. My advice to you... Put good and motivated people around you and let God handle the rest. When I first started helping minority high school students with admission into college, I never thought I would be inspired to start a not-for-profit geared toward that mission. Having your heart in what you do, will give you the energy to accomplish a Greener and Cleaner World. Good Luck and God Bless.

12-12-2009: Decided to add every school that I could find that offers a summer conditional admissions program. Honestly, I do not think I would attend half the schools I added, but it never hurts to have options. Last September I attended the LatinoJustice PRLDEF 27th Annual Law Day at Pace University's Manhattan Campus and received a publication which listed the schools.

12-14-2009: Applied to SJU School of Law today.

12-17-2009: Applied to Seton Hal School of Law today.

12-17-2009: The schools listed are my final choices. I have removed most of the schools I intended to apply to 5 days ago. I hope to attend law school part-time in the evening and work full-time during the day. Due to my financial obligations and my community involvement, going to law school full time is unfortunately out of the question. With my score of 141 I am hoping to attend a conditional program during the summer. Since NYLS is in walking distance from my employer it is my first choice, and I am wishing for an invitation to attend their $3,000 AAMPLE program (Saving up all my Christmas money and tax return funds lol).

12-18-2009: Sent out package for consideration to Seton Hall's Legal Education Opportunities Summer Institute.

12-19-2009: Applied to Fordham Law. $12 is better than $82 lol.

12-19-2009: Applied to Cornell Law. $12 is better than $92 lol.

12-21-2009: Declined by Akron School of Law by email. No real feelings.

1-6-2010: I have been granted an interview with one of my top choices. YESSS!!!! Hopefully all goes well. I am also planning to apply to ICLEO (Indiana Conference for Legal Education Opportunity). Happy New Year LSN!!!!!

1-6-2010: Is anyone researching law school loans and different outside financial aid options? I really don't have a plan for attacking my tuition. Many schools have loan repayment assistance program for their students, but they have strict regulations attached. Any comments will be appreciated. HELP!!! LOL

1-7-2010: Called NYLS yesterday concerning online application status. "New Building" seems to be causing a lag on decisions and online updates.

1-7-2010: Facebook is an awesome social network!! I have been speaking to many law students from all my choices. The law school will usually have a page with members that are prospective, current, and alumni who are usually very helpful if you send a private message with questions about their respective school. Unfortunately, Financial Aid is usually a topic students shy away from. The best answer I got was "Contact the Financial Aid Office" LOL. Through speaking to students I have learned a lot ( Special Programs, Professors, and Clinics mostly).

1-15-2010: God Bless the people of Haiti and all the volunteers and donors working extremely hard to make a difference.

1-20-2010: Denied by SJU School of Law.

1-22-2010: Visited NYLS this week, and I must say that their new building is truly amazing. The con to this amazing school is the cost to attend. The NYLS price tag is crazy!! The total cost for a full-time student is estimated to be $67,205 and for part-time its $56,580. I am starting to realize that financing law school is just as important as getting into law school; it actually may be more of a challenge!

1-22-2010: Visited Touro Law Center, and I was very impressed by their public advocacy center. Not-for-profit organizations are actually on site. The tour guide stated to me that the organizations do not pay for the space, but are required to work closely with Touro Law students, providing an opportunity for hands on experience. In addition to Public advocacy center, federal and state court buildings share the campus.

I was also able to speak with two students that told me about a summer program Touro has for minority student called LEAP. The students were both 1Ls and seemed to be relaxed and welcomed all my questions.

The con about Touro for me was the long ride on the LIRR, which was then followed by a $7 cab ride. I went from Brooklyn to Central Islip, and it was a journey!! I spent about $23 for a roundtrip LIRR ticket, and $13 dollars on cab rides. One of the cab drivers gave me a student discount lol. I would definitely need a car.

1-25-2010: Rejected by Quinnipiac. My LSAT scores are killing me.

1-25-2010: Plan B

Pipeline to Justice Program: A Close-Up (From CUNY website)

Pipeline participants are selected at the end of the admissions cycle from among those denied admission to CUNY Law.

The Pipeline course costs roughly half the cost of well-known commercial test-prep programs. All weekday Pipeline sessions are offered in the evening from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Part I meets twice a week from October to February, as well as for six all-day Saturday sessions. Students take at least 15 LSAT practice tests during the course.

Part II, the writing/reading component, meets twice a week for eight weeks, from March through June.

Students who successfully complete the program are admitted to CUNY School of Law

1-31-2010: Letter from CLEO concerning six week summer institute, stating I must be nominated by a member school.

2-2-2010: Thin envelope from Pace Law.

2-15-2010: Got an email from Steven Jones (Director of AAMPLE Admission)

3-11-2010: NYLS - Online AAMPLE program offered...

3-13-2010: Received Online AAMPLE package from NYLS. $500 tuition deposit, with Invitation Response Form due by April 9, 2010. New York Law School will enroll only 25 candidates in Online AAMPLE in 2010 on a first-come, first-served basis until the class is filled. The $3000 balance must be submitted no later than April 30, 2010.

Success rates:
2005 30%
2006 50%
2007 33%
2008 67%
2009 35%

Those admitted upon successful performace in Online AAMPLE will receive a tuition credit of $3500 towards their first semester charges. There is no refund or credit for students not admitted after completing Online AAMPLE.

3-16-2010: Touro Law Center is taking forever with a decision. I submitted my $500 to the NYLS Online AAMPLE program. I need to welcome whatever comes my way.

3-29-2010: Got an email from Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis granting me admission into the part-time program. Pleasant Surprise!!!! God is Good!!!!

4-6-2010: Got the acceptance letter from Indiana University School of Law- Indianapolis (IUPUI) in the mail yesterday for the part-time evening division. The admission is conditioned upon me commencing my legal studies by participating in Indys Special Summer Class, which starts on May 10, 2010. The summer class will meet twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30pm. A non resident scholarship to pay for the summer class was also offered to me in the amount of $2,699.40.

The decision to attend the summer class is hard, because it is either Indys summer program or NYLS AAMPLE, which I already paid for. Indys offer does not seem to be as risky as AAMPLE, but I would have to quit my job, find housing, and etc. Basically start over. I really do not know what to do, but pray.

4-11-2010: Rejected by Cornell Law. No Surprise

4-20-2010: Well I withdrew from Indy and have decided just to focus on the NYLS AAMPLE program. I purchased a book at Borders yesterday entitled Getting to Maybe/ How to Excel on Law School Exams. Hopefully this book helps me with the AAMPLE program when all is said and done.

I have been receiving numerous emails concerning the NYLS/Nova AAMPLE program and can already tell that the program is quite demanding and will require a lot of hard work. There are required online chats Monday-Thursday between 5pm-8pm, which leaves the weekend to prepare for the following week. I must add that the AAMPLE program is costly. I have submitted the $3500 payment for the program, but now must purchase the required reading material and supplemental study aids, which may cost me an additional $500 between both courses. RECESSION!!! WHAT RECESSION LOL!!!! Guess the people at NYLS, Albany, and Nova have not been informed.

Furthermore, today I will be attending a free workshop on financing law school sponsored by LATINOJustice PRLDEF at 6:30pm-8pm. I have conducted a lot of independent research but I guess there is always more to learn.

4-27-2010: I was informed today that CLEO has entered a partnership with Cooley Law at Auburn Hills to admit a few students from the 2010 CLEO Summer Institutes. Seats are open on a first come first serve basis I guess for those that applied to CLEO but did not get in. I wish they would have partnered with a better school somewhere in New York lol.

4-28-2010:

2010 Summer Schedule

NYLS AAMPLE Program: S: May 10, 2010 E: June 22, 2010

CLEO AIE Seminar: July 9 - July 11, 2010

Touro L.E.A.P. : July 12 - August 5, 2010

Law Preview: July 26, 2010 - July 31, 2010

Since I will be participating in AAMPLE I will not participate in the six week CLEO Summer Institute or the NYLEO summer program. I am hoping that Law Preview will provide some great tips on the first year of law school and point me in the right direction.

5-20-2010: Accepted To Touro Law Center!!!!!!!!!!! YES YES YES

5-28-2010: Rejected by ONU....

5-29-2010: Rejected by CUNY...

5-29-2010: Housing Information from Touro...

5-29-2010: Well... what can I say... My cycle is over!!!!!! I guess I will write a long final thought once I complete NYLS AAMPLE about the admissions process... But I will say this... God has blessed me and without him where would I be...

6-10-2010: Just ended Week 4 of AAMPLE. Both courses are kicking my ass. I cannot stress how important it is to do well on the LSAT. Although I am happy and do not regret my decision to participate in the program I will admit that I am not 100 percent confident that I will do well on the exams in 4th Amendment and Negotiable Instruments. Five weeks may seem to be a long time, but it is a very short period. Just needed to vent. Ok... back to work. The Week 4 Discussion Problem is due at 12:00am.

6-17-2010: Today was the last day of AAMPLE. Next week I will take the final exams. Wish me Luck Guys!!

6-20-2010: AAMPLE finals at NYLS begin tomorrow!!! I am so excited to be taking my first law school exams this week. First up is Negotiable Instruments followed by Fourth Amendment on Tuesday. I feel good about both exams. My AAMPLE experience has been great; AAMPLE is a full time job with no lunch breaks, but plenty of over time. Both our professors were decent and tried to help students that were motivated self starters. Overall most students in the NYLS AAMPLE program do not have any other offers on the table, so it really motivated me to see how much they appreciated the opportunity. Finally, I would recommend NYLS AAMPLE to anyone. I have learned so much about law school in the last 5 weeks! I am confident that I have a leg up due to the program.

6-21-2010: One down and One to Go. The Negotiable Instruments exam overall was fair. I did really well on the first two questions and not so hot on the last question. I may have stated the wrong rules on that last question but am not going to beat myself up too much. I just hope for partial credit and a passing grade for the course, I deserve it lol. I was really happy to have completed the exam, and was also happy for my classmates. Everyone seems to be working so hard trying to memorize rules and articulate facts. My first law school exam... I would have never thought this time last year that I would be in this position. God is so Good!!!

6-22-2010: The Fourth Amendment exam went great!! NYLS AAMPLE is officially over!! I will be receiving the results in mid July. I feel good about my changes overall and hopefully will attend NYLS in the Fall. I have a couple of days to myself before AIE and LEAP, so I will use the time to rest up, read leisure magazines and hit the gym! I feel so confident that I will do just fine in law school.

6-30-2010: Bad News Guys!! I did not pass NYLS AAMPLE. I received two letter grades of C, giving me a 2.0 average. I needed at least two letter grades of C plus to give me a 2.5 average. I did not achieve the 2.5 goal but, 16 out of 24 people did pass. All my study partners passed lol. I was very surprised not to have passed, but God does things for a reason. As a result, I will be attending Touro Law Center in the fall as a part time evening student. My goal is to do really well and transfer. Final Thoughts on AAMPLE: NYLS AAMPLE was a great program!! I should have quit my job or taken a leave of Absence. I feel terrible now, but I have been fighting all my life, so I have no choice but to flow with the punches. NYLS gave me a great opportunity and I will always be thankful.

P.S. Its official guys I will be attending Touro Law Center!!!

7-9-2010: Wow! Today starts the CLEO AIE weekend. I am so excited! It is finally here.

7-10-2010: Day 1 of AIE was great!!! The Keynote Speaker gave a touching speech on how law school will affect our lives and put us into a position where we can make a difference in the lives of our clients. She made me really think about WHY I really wanted to go to law school. Day 1 also gave me an opportunity to speak to other CLEO associates and fellows and opened my eyes to different aspects that will make me a successful law student. Wow! Sign up for CLEO People!!There is a lot I am not saying about day 1!

7-11-2010: CLEO AIE was a great experience! I learned so much about law school and preparation for the bar! This weekend has built my confidence as a prospective JD candidate and has further motivated me to work to my full potential. The CLEO staff and Professors worked extremely hard and made an immediate impact!

7-16-2010: The first week of the Summer LEAP Program was awesome! A concentration on Torts Cases and Exam Writing made up week 1. I also received my schedule this week!!!!

7-17-2010: Received an email from CUNY Law School regarding the Pipeline to Justice Program.

Basic Facts of the Pipeline to Justice Program:

If you are selected for the Pipeline to Justice Program, tuition is $750 (plus the cost of materials). The course requires a significant time commitment. Part I of the program will meet at CUNY Law School in Flushing, Queens two nights a week for 15 weeks from 6:15 to 9:15 p.m. In addition, students must commit at least six weekends between October and February on which we will schedule full-day sessions for practice LSATs followed by review sessions. Part II of the program will meet at the Law School two nights a week for 10 weeks from 6:15 to 9:15 p.m. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory. Success in the program requires that you complete reading and homework assignments between classes.

Students enrolled in the Pipeline to Justice must register for the February 2011 LSAT and keep their LSDAS account active and current so that scores can be sent to the CUNY School of Law.

Students enrolled in the Pipeline to Justice Program must commit to taking Part II of the Pipeline to Justice if they achieve a score above 150 on the February 2011 LSAT and are invited into Part II of the program.

Students enrolled in the Pipeline to Justice Program must commit to enrolling at the CUNY School of Law in fall 2011 if they successfully complete the course and are offered admission. (Note that CUNY School of Law does not have a part-time program. If you were planning on attending a part-time law school program, please do not apply for the Pipeline to Justice.)

Successful Pipeline students are automatically enrolled in our Summer Law Institute with other entering students. Except in exceptional circumstances, Pipeline students must attend the Summer Law Institute as a requirement of admission.

Although CUNY Law is an awesome school I have decided that going to law school part-time is a better option for my situation. Thanks for thinking of me CUNY!!

7-24-2010: Week 2 of the Touro LEAP Program covered Criminal Law, Legal Writing, and Exam Writing. The mock exam we received at the end of the week was tough. We had 1 hour and 30 minutes to compete two hypos, multiple choice, and short answers. I did well, but could have done better. Overall I learned a good lesson which was to study everything inside and out. I found myself not recalling small details briefly presented in class. One of the Teaching Assistants made up the exam, and stated she wanted to give us a taste of the reality of a law school exam lol. Her mission was accomplished!

8-1-2010: Law Preview was an awesome experience!! All the professors were great!!! Overall the program gave me confidence coming into my first year.

Final Summer Post: This cycle has been crazy. The Touro LEAP Program ended today and I am on my way to a weeklong vacation before the start of school. Yes!! I do feel guilty about going on vacation lol. I should be reading and getting ahead... I know, but COME ON PEOPLE I have been in school since May. AAMPLE, AIE, LEAP, Law Preview and reading every pre-law book has been exhausting, not to mention 5AM workouts and a 9-5 job. I do regret not passing the NYLS AAMPLE program, but the past does not matter at this point. Touro is a great school in its own right, so I am pretty happy to where God has placed me. To all the future law school students that are studying for the LSAT. DO NOT TAKE THAT EXAM LIGHTLY!!! GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS GUYS!