Shanamadele’s Coffee Break
Pet Peeve #162Archive for law school
Wrong Demographic
I just got a mailing from the Liberty University School of Law in Lynchburg, VA, inviting me to apply. “If the study of law from the perspective of the Christian intellectual tradition resonates with you, we welcome you to join us at Liberty,” the brochure says.
Best Laid Plans
My LSAT scores were scheduled to arrive on Monday. So, I left my schedule clear for Monday so I could spend the whole day absorbing the information and having whatever emotional response I was going to have without worrying about needing to see anyone else and be “on.”
But, my scores arrived today. And I chose to look at them.
They aren’t terrible. I might get into the program I want. But they aren’t great, either. Basically, my stats (LSAT score and undergrad grades) are marginal. While it is possible that my other experiences (grad school and work) may help my application, the admissions officer with whom I spoke was very clear that the stats were the most important piece.
I would have a slightly better chance at getting into my second choice program, but I don’t think I want to go to law school full time during the day.
I can re-take the test. The program I want to enter does not penalize students for doing this. I just have to decide whether i want to put myself through that again. I guess all I have to lose is the money and time — and emotional effort. I have a chance to gain a better shot of getting into my program and getting scholarship dollars.
In any case, I’m disappointed. It’s the worse case, really, because the score is so close to being a good one.
Stop Thinking with Your Hormones!
After my earlier post, I did what the LSAT preparation book says to do, and I analyzed my answers to the test questions. I included in my analysis how I felt about the questions — the value judgments I was bringing to the questions.
Lo and behold, the next chapter of the book pointed out that I might have these kinds of reactions when reading the test questions, and suggested that I pay attention to that I get used to not having those kinds of reactions.
I’m not conveying this at all well, but I am impressed that if you follow the instructions in the book it is likely to force you to experience your worse case scenario and then tells you that you are not alone in blowing a bunch of questions because you were taking a test and had a bunch of human reactions to the test.
Then, it goes over more examples of test questions, offers concrete, step-by-step tips for tackling the test-taking process, and gives you more opportunities to do so and evaluate your performance.
It little light bulb went off when it gave me tips about reading that I do on a regular basis when I’m analyzing something for work but I did not do in the test scenario because I was feeling like I needed to get to the quesitons. The little light bulb is that I know this stuff, I know how to think, I do it very well, but tests tap into my strong desire to be very linear, which isn’t always a good strategy.
Linear in the sense of sequential. And if what I am anxious about is looking at the questions, then maybe I should just go ahead and look at the questions. Which is what the book says, and what my gut says. But then my brain gets in the way, and I think I’d better read the passage and then the questions.
Who knew my gut was so smart?
This is only a test
A diagnostic test, at that.
But, man! am I feeling discouraged after taking my first diagnostic test for the LSATs.
I did well on the logical reasoning questions, which is good since there are more sections of those than the other kinds of questions.
I’m really glad I decided to get this book and learn how to take the test. I used to think I tested well. I am not so sure. I had a conversation with Pumpkin recently about our experiences with the SATs. We got a ton of coaching on how to take the SATs successfully, which I know helped me tremendously. I hope these practice sessions help me, as well, or I am doomed.
The fact that I think that thought is scary in itself. I need to temper this fear — face it and conquer it , really, because I cannot carry it with me unexamined into this test in February.
Okay, back to the book.
Now I’ve really done it
No more bluffing re: law school. I just signed up for the LSATs — I’ll be taking them in February.
What am I spending time here for? Time to get studying!
