johnysuede (2022-2023)

Part-time/Full-time employment throughout undergrad

6/20/16
A lot of personal growth has passed since my last attempt at taking the LSAT. This year is my opportunity to finally take a new preparation approach and test in December.

1/20/10
I recently had an opportunity to meet with two faculty members who are currently considering me for their law program. My visit was more of a job interview than a purchasing a new car. The selling was all on my end. Besides the usual campus tour progress was made during the sit-down. The interview was positive, however, no decision was made in my admissions application. What I have received from this visit was personal attention from those who could be utilizing their time in more academic matter for that I am grateful.

1/1/10
My early returns are showing a bleak outlook for 2010 application cycle. I am finding that visiting a law campus is giving me a leg up in an otherwise an automatic rejection. This month I am visiting two campuses. Each school is reserving their decision for my on-campus visit. Face to face interviews are not too common due to time and expense so I appreciate their interest in meeting with me. Congrats goes out to those who are pursing their visions for a brighter future.

11/15/09
The season to apply for fall 2010 is in full gear. This cycle consists of mostly T3 and T4 schools. Within this list cost and grant consideration is top priority. It is surprising that in a downturn economy law schools are popping up all over the nation. These "for profits" are highly expensive and most are on a provisional A.B.A accreditation that leaves a graduate student with few options of employment. My choice to stay clear of these institutions is obvious. My goal is not to enslave myself with a debt note of two Porsche Cayennes, but rather carry a debt the size of a Ford Mustang GT. I realize this is a stretch. Wishing everyone the best.

4/4/09
This application cycle has been a great opportunity to understand my strengths and weaknesses. I have taken the December, and February LSAT exams and have performed below average. The latter test was a wash from its beginning due to me being under the weather. My school options or should I say option at this point is Thomas M. Cooley. Wayne State has not given their decision; however, I am not anticipating an acceptance letter.

My decision to enter in 2010 has opened a door of more options. Be grudgingly, I am going to take the LSAT one more time. This time will be my last. My goal is to move up ten points. I have all ready been accepted to a law school and despite its high attrition rate Cooley Law will provide adequate options for the future.

For the 2010 application cycle, I have decided to focus on schools that provide a cost effective education (less than $50,000) upon graduating as well as having a high bar passage rates (>90% ). So far my research has brought me to the southern region of the United States. Getting in-state residency is the key. Most of the schools will allow you to apply for residency after your 1L.

I wish everyone well on their pursuits in law. My guess is that the market is only going to become more saturated with law grades in the coming years due to the change in the economy so latch onto your specialties. Firms are merging more and higher less. I have been working in corporate law for years. Recently, cutbacks and downsizing have taken their toll on the legal community. Associates hired only after 3 months are cut due to client downsizing or even worse filing bankruptcy. These unfortunate souls were not released due to performance, but to keeping balance sheet in the black.

Find your passion early and stick to it. Do you love being around people? Consider public interest, or criminal law. Do you love numbers? One area that is not hurting is Tax law. Boring to most, people avoid it, but this industry is in need of qualified individuals who can interpret the conundrum of the United States Tax code.

If you are unsure where you want to land then simply take a weekend or two to reflect on your personality traits. It may take longer; however, when you find your niche apply it with your ambitions of becoming an attorney. Believe me, if you do these simple tasks you will thank yourself in the future when you%u2019re overworked due to your annual billing requirements held by your future employer. For those who do not know billable hours, any private law firm that pays your salary will require you to %u201Cbill%u201D the client. This is done so the firm dose not pay out you out of the operating revenue. Most firms require a 2000 hours per year. That is roughly 40 hours a week. An attorney will break down the time into increments of 6-10 minutes. It can get silly of what is billable and was it not, and in some cases attorneys have gotten into serious trouble when attempting to over bill or fraudulently bill a client. Those who fall behind their time schedule are warned to shape up and those who do not meet the goal are canned at their anniversary date. Note: most government positions do not require a billing quota. What this means is you can have a 9-5 job that does not over grow into your family or personal life. More and more firms are easing up on this quota system: however, if your ambition is to become a partner in five years then you will live and die by the quota system.

Many attorneys hate their job. Most attorneys in America do not make 150K and with undergrad, grad debt, mortgage/high rent, family expenses, i.e. children, and the expectations of making partner in five years, the pressure can mount up. What prevents individuals from becoming a dried out husk is planning a road map of expectations and limitations. Law is a sexy career to pursue, but it can easily become a hideous bitch goddess in less time than it takes to finish the LSAT.

~Later

Dec. 2008 147
Feb. 2009 136

3/30/09
Called GMU last week and quickly received their decision. No too surprised.

3/3/09
What I am about to say everyone should take note. Do not! Repeat. Do not take the LSAT or any test for that matter while sick or on cough medication. I went into the Feb LSAT with a foggy head and my score is the result. I have deferred to Cooley for 2010. Time to take a break and reassess the damage. It should not be this difficult. Wish everyone all the best and congratulations on getting into a school that fits you.

2/18/09
I have deferred Cooley for 2010. Waiting on my Feb LSAT results. Not too crazy about my expectations. Coming off a cold that Saturday I was pretty hopped up on night-quil. All time excuse I realize, however, the truth is the truth. More to come...

2/2/09
Its the final week before the Feb. 7th LSAT. I have been receiving more and more invites from law schools. It does not hurt to apply. Congrats to anyone who has not given up their dream of becoming a law student.

1/21/09
Received a manila envelope from Cooley Law. Deposit is due by April in the amount of $525.

1/16/09
It begins! The rejection letters. I received a letter from Ubalt dated 1/13/09. They ran out of seats and could not wait for my Feb. 7th test results. Stinks! Ubalt was my sentemental pick. Life goes on.

1/7/09
Signed up to take the Feb 7th LSAT. I did not come this far to settle for 147. Plus, $127 dollars is a pittance when comparing to a private school that will cost me $100K when its all said and done. I am continuing my applications for 09-10 cycle. Some schools are asking me if I am taking another LSAT, which is a good sign. At least they are not lining their waste basket with my application.

1/1/09
Received LSAT score 147. Not good at all. At this point, I am looking for cost alternaives to off set huge debt while attending a T4.

12/08
Took the Dec 6th LSAT. The test was mild compared to the pre-tests I have taken through Kaplan. Results are given out on Jan 5th
~Later

8/08
Update. This summer I am preparing for the October 4th. I am registering with a test prep firm. This is it, I am going forward with my wits and desire to become an effective advocate.

~Later

2007
Update. I took time away from the pursuit of attending law school to get my affairs in order. I am now considering taking a second major. The major I am considering is English in technical writting. I am not expecting much of a boost to my LSDAS GPA, however, I am taking this opportunity to hone in my grammatical and analytical skills.

8/06
Well summer is winding down, and test day is about a month away. My summer has been plaugued by numerous setbacks. I have decided that I will continue as planned and take the LSAT on September 30th. My career path may have altered though so law school may not be for me at this time.

6/06
Started my lsat prep regiment. My test is slated for Sept. 30th. My UGPA is not the best, however, I have work experience to increase my chances of getting into a school. In the end, it will be my lsat score that will carry me to the finish line. Back to the books.
Ciao!