Law School Podcast Comment

[Rhei1Kel]

So I am listening to a Law School Interactive podcast and there was a comment made by someone (NOT affiliated with Powerscore)...he is the editor of abovethelaw.com It is from the podcast uploaded July 23rd titled "LSAT Nightmares"

He basically said, "there is no reason to go to law school if you get a 154 on the LSAT. I understand prep courses are expenses but there are prep books people can buy to study. People with 'basic intelligence' should easily score, at least, in the highest of 150's. And if you can't do that, your choice of law schools become so circumspect that it probably is not worth you going to law school. It is not your path, and there is nothing wrong with 'not going to law school' if it isn't the path for you. All because you decide at 21 to go to law school, doesn't mean it is right for you. There are a lot of other things a person can do in life than go to law school. Try to take the GRE or GMAT"

I am just curious about what your opinions are on this...from the experts that I trust (powerscore instructors)

I am a full length, in person, student. I have improved tremendously but my scores are still averaging around 155-158. I found this comment to be incredibly offensive. Especially the comment about "basically intelligent people" I have been working for months on this and I began around 147. I was just as intelligent than as I am now....AND I know I can go to law school (and it is the right decision) and do very well. I just found these comments to be rude.


--If I heard the comments wrong, or my interpretations are wrong, I apologize. It is how I heard it and this was my reaction.

Thanks you!
-Kelsey

[Ron Gore]

Kelsey,

You're right. That guy's comment was offensive. Some people who score very well on the LSAT and go to Harvard Law, as this guy did, have a narrow perspective. They think that if you aren't going to a top tier law school then you might as well not be a lawyer. Somehow, if you aren't working for Big Law or some equivalent then your career and service as a lawyer don't have the same value. That's a very narrow world view. Not only that, but you don't need to have a top percentile score to master nearly any particular aspect of the law.

The truth is, I personally know several attorneys who attended second and third tier law schools and have had very fulfilling careers. None of them work in Big Law. Still, some have been financially successful, earning great incomes in private practice because they have a gift for interacting with people (and if you didn't know, judges and jurors are people!) : )

Some of my other friends who attended second and third tier school never made much money, but have made lasting impacts in the lives of indigent families, abused children, and criminal defendants with little ability to defend their rights and get a fair trial. Despite my 99th % score, I've done much of that kind of work as well. I never made any money on it, but that doesn't mean it wasn't valuable, to them or to me.

The law market is tough, as is much of the economy. There is never room in the market, long term, for bad attorneys. There is little room for mediocre attorneys. But there is always room in the market for a good attorney. I've been an attorney for seven years, and I have never had anyone ask me my LSAT score. No client, employer, judge, colleague...not anyone. Because they know it doesn't matter to the practice of law.

Keep your chin up and keep studying.

Best wishes,

Ron