mikefoot (2022-2023)

Married, worked throughout college, first generation college student.
Spent two years as volunteer clergy
Worked for DC gov't contract firm

Background- had rollercoaster UG grades. Followed all directions when applying to school and sent in EVERY semester of school I had ever taken, including one of a 1.25. This dropped degree granting to a 2.92 and LSAC to a 2.72. Had Dean's list a couple times and several semesters of 3.5 or better, but there's nothing that can help a butt whoopin' like that. I took the LSAT the first time as a lark and got the 158 after a couple of practice tests. I put off applying until the last minute and didn't have the best results (waitlisted and late admittance to Catholic, denials by American, G'town, G Mason and UDC. UDC, I didn't even finish their application, so I can't really blame them-didn't want to go anyway) and now after having worked am taking Law School seriously. I'm retaking the LSAT in October after hiring a private tutor/admissions counselor. Looking for a big time school or at least big time money.
8/23 Well, I'm not gonna apply to Gonzaga. I went to the D.C. forum and spent about 15minutes being pitched to by their admissions counselor. They are pretty much just a public service school and that's not for me. I also went to Seattle and liked it there, but heard bad things about the rest of teh state. Also, Vermont is a stand alone school that doesn't have resources like outside Econ cources to bolster legal coursework.
9/30 Decided against taking the October LSAT. I'm from the New Orleans area originally and now much of my family is "displaced" (a nice term for homeless- F.U. FEMA!) Additionally, in the evacuation for Katrina my grandmother passed away. With all of this going on, studying for the LSAT has not been high on my list of priorities. I really don't know what that is going to do to my list of school choices because I was really counting on trying to apply early with the best numbers possible and also was planning on applying to the New Orleans area schools. Oh well, I will have to make soem interesting decisions in the next few weeks.
10/14 So, the dream list continues. I spoke with my admissions advisor and they have mentioned thqat Ohio State might be in the mix. I have put it here so that I and all others can see where it stands.
10/27 The NY Forum went well. I met with some admissions people that said that I had a real shot, while others thought that I was a long shot at best. My list is now updated to reflect that. I did find out that my undergrad school carried a good amount of weight, which was nice. I also was learned a lot of what to put in my PS, so that was helpful.
12/19-HAPPY BIRTHDAY!-That's from Frosty the Snowman if you aren't familiar. Well, I have returned from New Orleans with some unbelievable pictures and a new outlook on things. I went down to help y folks out nad had some time to run around the city for a little bit. For those of you that are considering Tulane, I would commend you. I am a native New Orleanian and have taken it off of my list. The money has begun to slow down in the area and people are living in FEMA trailers for what looks to be a while. On the school end of things, my list has changed a bit with a couple of schools moving around and a couple of schools being added for hopefuls and just for quality. Also, I need a "safety" school in there, so there have been some additions in that area as well. Apps are being completed this week and should be out in the New Year!
02/02/06-HOT DAWG! First acceptance! I got into Albany! it's not really where I would want to go, but hey, it just feels good to know that there is a place out there for me! Crossing fingers for more to come!
02/03/06 I rearranged my list of schools. Buffalo has taken a real top priority . They have the programs that I am interested in and they overall have a lot going for them.
02/06/06 I received an email from LSU that my file was complete and that a decision would be coming soon.
02/21/06 Well, I have been waitlisted at William Mitchell. That doesn't really bode well for a lot of reasons. They were supposed to be my safety, for on, and for another they accepted 21 of 22 applicants with my numbers last year. A bit nervous.
02/28/06 I got into Penn State! There are a lot of good things about them, so I think that they will definitely be a consideration.
03/01/06-So, I'm a no go at LSU. When I spoke to their admissions people they said that I could make up for my numbers by indicating a clear commitment to Louisiana. I guess that I didn't make that clear enough. Oh well.
3/4/06-I received renewable 18k/yr scholarship at Albany. Sounds pretty good, but I'm still waiting to see what happens with the other schools.
4/10/06 Returned from Penn State's open house and found that I was accepted at William Mitchell. I am also on Hold at Case Western. If I get in at Case, I think that that might be the place.
4/19/06 Rough couple of days- got dinged by ASU and Seattle. Seattle said that they were "Strongly considering me for their Alternative Admissions program". Hopefully I get some good news from some of the otehr contenders down the road, but right now it looks like it is a Nittany Lion's future for me.
4/26/06- I got double waitlisted at Villanova and SUNY-Buffalo. Still on hold at Case and have never heard from Syracuse. AHH, the fun of teh law school waiting game...just wait until it is time to get a job!
5/4/06-DAGGER!, Just got the rejection from Syracuse. I am still waiting it out with Case, 'Nova, and Buffalo, though so we shall see...
67/1/06-So it looks like I will be attending PSU. I am good with that. I am really disappointed in teh way that things turned out with my "consultant", though. She was a complete wash and really gave a lot of not so good advice. If you get the advice to only apply to a certain number of schools and you don't like very many of them, then you have gotten bad advice. Overall, I can say that I happy with the way that things have turned out. Carlisle is a very small town, but my visits there have been very pleasant. Penn State has been after me since I took my LSAT and accepted me within weeks of receiving the app, so the money that I spent on my "consultant" could have covered my rent there for virtually the entire 1st year. Oh well, lessons learned. Thanks to all those that have read along and posted. For those that are or will be in Carlisle, see you there. For everyone else, good luck and I hope that life and the law treat you well.

-Mike

Fee Waiver from St. Louis University
Fee waiver from U of Denver