What It’s Like To Prep With Mike

As a prospective law school student, a successful career is one of my biggest goals. I see that in order to be successful, I must push hard for what I want, and fully expose myself to all there is to learn. It’s no secret that applying to law school is a numbers game. That is, a high GPA and high LSAT score fits an applicant into an ideal position to apply to a variety of good schools. I personally acquired a low GPA from my alma mater. Scoring a high LSAT score is a must for my position, which would define me as a splitter; an applicant who has a high score on one end (GPA or LSAT score) that offsets the low score on the other end. If you haven’t noticed there is a need for me to do well on the LSAT. I must do well in order to go to a decent school. I have never taken the LSAT, and I figure if I’m serious to take it then I better prep for it.

I just got my Blueprint Prep materials in the mail today. I must say, I didn’t expect Blueprint to provide humor, but they did. I don’t have any reason to read ahead in the prep books, but I couldn’t help to take a peek in book one, which noted that humor is the secret to getting through the study materials. When it comes to the course as a whole Blueprint defiantly doesn’t cost as much as its’ competitors, but I still had to fork over a good sum. Good thing I am participating in a paid study at University of California, Berkeley that involves several tests. Just yesterday I was tested on various memory games similar to the LSAT logic games. Being tested in an fMRI machine is not ideal, but it helps with the bills. I had one session before the Blueprint Prep class, and I will take another after I complete the LSAT.


When it comes to my feelings of the up and coming prep course, I will say in one word is excitement. Excitement is exactly what I feel when I think about this prep course starting. From what I know the first day of instruction is a diagnostic test, which provides information on what I am good at and not so good at. So far I’m good at procrastinating my studying. I start to question myself, am I one of those people, the person who needs take a class or be pushed in order to do well? Maybe. Once this course does start I know I will be putting in at least 30 hours a week of homework, at least that’s what I keep telling myself. I work a 9-5 job, and I now have to come home and study. Let alone, the class location is in Berkeley, which is a 40-minute drive. It sounds like I’m picking out the negatives, but what I am really doing it just showing you that I have to be very organized and take this prep course seriously in order to do well. Wish me well!

New Materials, New Numbers, New Goals.

First off, I just got some new PowerScore books in the mail for an incredibly cheap price. Thanks to the Top-Law-Schools forum, someone sold me the LSAT Logic Games Bible, LSAT Reading Comprehension Bible, and LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible for $50 plus shipping. When anyone asked what is the best self study plan for the LSAT, the general public response is that PowerScore Logic Games and their bibles are among the best. Also using real LSAT test is advised, which is why I am reading my official LSAT SuperPrep book to study for. Speaking of SuperPrep, I need to finish that study section this week, that's the goal. Once I finish the SuperPrep book, I will take the three exams at the end of the book, and then start on the PowerScore books, Logic Games first.

Secondly, missed the mock LSAT exam that I signed up for at UC Davis law school this past weekend. I wanted to start off May on a good start, and I am behind already. What hasn't been metioned in this blog is that I recently received employment by an electronics retail company and a bank. This means, the reason I missed my mock LSAT is because I was working. The goal is to take a few practice exams this month. I need this goal because I don't want work to fault me in my studying.

And finally, I got my LSDAS GPA. After LSAC received all my transcrips, I found out on my Law School Data Assembly Service reported my GPA as a 2.49! A 2.49 is not only low, but lower then I thought. My undergrad GPA is a 2.8, but that's not what matters, what matters is what that Academic Summery Report says. I also found out that any grades made after my bachelor's degree don't count. To combat this GPA, I need a high LSAT score.

Do I Have What It Takes To Go To Law School?

A year ago I was adamant about going to law school, although I did not have a solid reason to why I wanted to go. This year, I am certain that law school is for me, for the reasons of liking law and helping others in society. I also see that a professional degree like a J.D. will give me a great edge in the market and fulfill my educational goals of having high education. Okay, so I want to go to law school, but do I have what it takes?

I think this will help me decide...(click image)


Ha Ha! That flowchart did not help, but was funny. With all jokes aside, this flowchart does raise some good questions.

I am not a under represented minority. - This does not help me
My undergrad GPA is poor for law school, a 2.8. - This does not help me
My undergrad GPA can be evened out by extensive work expierence. I have moderate work experience. I have no work experience in the legal field. - This will help me because I have been out of school for a year, possibly two years by the time I enter law school. -This helps only a little
The largest determinate that I can work on is my LSAT score. I have not taken the LSAT, but I will plan my studying to aim for a 170 because that is the score I will need to have a chance at going to a T1 (top 50) or T2 (top 51-100) school if I am lucky. -This will make or break me

The LSAT is out of a total score of 180, and I am working towards a 170. The 50th percentile is typically a score of about 151; the 90th percentile is around 163 and the 99th is about 172. A 178 or better usually places the examinee in the 99.9th percentile. I will take my first dianostic test soon, which should tell me where my score is as a first time taker and what areas I need to work on.

Blog and LSAT studying, get ready, set...GO!

My first official post provides not just the start of this blog, but the start of my law school application process. I am a prospect law school student aiming for the October 2010 Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). As of now, April, I have read various books about law school. All interesting and informative, yet all a slight distraction from the real reading I should be doing. Most recently I have been reading The Official LSAT SuperPrep which covers the three main sections of the LSAT and include 3 official old test to practice with.

I have never taken the LSAT before. Although, last year I planned to take it on two different occasions but I never studied, which resulted in the cancellation and avoidance of it all. This time around I have a general preparation schedule that I must abide by in order to do well on the LSAT.
April -read and study how to understand and dissect Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. Take a diagnostic test or some actual prep test.
May -Continue studying. May 1st - Mock LSAT at UC Davis Law school.
July -enroll in TestMasters course. This will ensure i get vigerous training right up to the LSAT date.
October - LSAT

In addition I will be working full time through all of this studying. Blog Updates will be in align with my progress.