AboutSally A. Kane Expertise As a recent law school graduate who excelled in law school, I can answer questions regarding the law school experience including preparing for and applying to law school, excelling in law school, law review, legal writing tips, the law school curriculum, exam success, financing law school, balancing work and school, clerkships and externships, job interviewing and more. I do not answer homework questions.
Experience I have thirteen years’ experience in the legal field, ten as a litigation paralegal and three as a corporate attorney. During law school, I juggled many priorities including a full time job, law school and a newborn baby. In law school I served as a law review editor, wrote for student publications and completed two externships, one with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and one with the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Publications I have published law and career related articles in a variety of publications including Legal Assistant Today, The Legal Intelligencer, Juris and The Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting.
Education/Credentials I possess a B.A. in Writing from Edinboro University, a Paralegal Certificate from Duquesne University and a J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law.
Question QUESTION: My undergraduate started out weak so my final gpa was only a 2.7, then I received a masters in counseling education with a 3.9. I scored low; 141 on the lsat. What are my realistic choices? I really want to practice in New England and I want to start in the fall. I do not want to work for a big firm, just private practice for families that need help. Thanks
ANSWER: Hi Lisa,
Students recently accepted to the nation’s 4th tier schools had GPA’s of around 3.0 and LSAT scores of about 150. With a GPA of 2.7 and an LSAT score of 141, you have a significant hurdle to overcome. Your high GPA in the master’s program combined with great references and stand-out admissions essay might help boost your chances of admission. However, re-taking the LSAT and improving your score will do the most to make your dream of law school a reality.
I would not recommend attending a non-ABA school since it may hinder your ability to take the bar in some states and limit your future employment opportunities. However, if you are unable to gain admission to an ABA-approved school and want to attend law school in New England then Southern New England School of Law in Massachusetts (a non-ABA school) is one choice.
QUESTION: Would you recommend a non ABA school as far as quality of education to be equal to ABA schools? There professors graduated from great law schools. I plan on practicing in Massachusetts so I thought Southern New England was a good choice as far as price and location. I do not want to live anywhere else but Massachusetts so then the non ABA hinders of location may not apply to me. What do you think?
Answer It is difficult to comment on the quality of a non-ABA school. ABA approval signifies that a law school has met the rigorous standards set by the ABA. Some non-ABA schools haven't garnered ABA approval because they have not been able to meet ABA standards; other non-ABA school may provide a quality education but have simply not sought ABA approval.
I would only attend a non-ABA law school as a last resort. While some of these schools may offer a quality education, they are not viewed favorably by some legal employers.
