So I'm looking to become an attorney, and I need some help.

[Guaranteed]

I figure there are probably plenty of attorneys here on DU, so why not tap you guys for some advice in my predicament here?

I have a BA in philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara, which I received three years ago (2001). After working a bunch of different joe-jobs (which is what a degree in philosophy gets ya), and moving out to Illinois to live with my girlfriend a year ago, I finally decided that it's my destiny to become an attorney. Everyone I know thinks that it's the right job for me- I just like to argue way too much for anything else. Other people were telling me I should be one long before I even took the idea seriously, and in fact I shyed from it for a long time because I didn't want to be an ambulance-chasing whore. But eventually I "resigned" to my fate (although I'm actually excited about this- I truly WANT to be an attorney) as I realized that it's probably the career that best suits me.

Anyway, I'm 25 years old and it's time for me to find a career path. This is the one I've chosen.

I took the LSAT June 14th. I had been hoping for a 170- I tend to hold myself to fairly high testing standards- but didn't do nearly that well, partially because of the fact that I had a high fever when I took the test. I got a 161. A respectable score, but nowhere near what I was hoping for (and, in my opinion, certainly below my true ability). And the reason that was so hopeful about getting a 170 was because of my GPA from college- 3.18, a full .2 below the median average of the law school that I'm applying to. I did a lot of screwing around in college.

So I emailed the admissions office my GPA and LSAT score, also noting that I don't have any law experience, to ask if I should take the test again. They said that if I have the time, maybe I should. So there's that. Hopefully when I take the test again in October I'll do much better. But I'm not counting on that entirely, because even if I do much better than the first time they average out the two scores.

Last week my mother suggested that I look at becoming a paralegal in the meantime to build my resume and make my law school application more competitive. I called the nearest community college with a paralegal program in the area this morning, and the voice mail message said the program is full. This KILLED me. I looked online for other programs, but really didn't see any close enough to me. Everything else is at least a couple of hours away. And I don't want to do one of the online Kaplan-type programs. They don't have a good reputation, and it probably wouldn't help me much, either with my resume or with my skills in general.

I'm still waiting to talk to the program director of the full program when he gets in to the office this morning, but of course nothing's really going to pan out from that. I've been to college. I know how that works.

Anyway- anyone have any suggestions? I'd really like to get going on this. I've applied for jobs some law offices just an assistant, haven't gotten any responses. No surprise, since I don't really have any experience. And I don't even have a job at the moment.

Where should I start here? I'm just looking to get this ball rolling, but she's tough to budge.

[Spinzonner]

1. Maybe you should be looking for a school

that your qualifications will be acceptable to instead of trying to deal with the mostly unchangeable facts of your scores and GPA.

In the long run your succes as a lawyer will depend more on how hard you work at school and post-degree as the particular school you go to (assuming accrediation, of course).

The choice of school is probably only critical if you're looking for some highly competitive clerking positions or some particular law firms. But if that's the case, you might have a hard time anyway.

[Guaranteed]

2. Yeah, there aren't many schools around here in

central IL.

I definitely can do better on the LSAT. It wasn't one of my best taking-taking moments. And my hope is that doing the paralegal thing will help a lot. Again, though, that program is full.

I'm going to call the director again this morning to see if I can get any more information.

[Spinzonner]

3. Maybe you need to decide

whether going to law school or staying in central IL is more important to your future.

And, as you noted, there are limits to your ability to improve your overall score sufficiently (unless you do spectacularly) and improving your GPA is past your powers.

[Guaranteed]

7. Yup, thought about moving back to California, too.

My girlfriend wouldn't be pleased with that, though.

That's a tough one.

[Spinzonner]

8. It's your life

but ...

A 'girlfriend' is not a future.

A law degree is.

You need to figure out what your priorities are - and hers.

[philosophie_en_rose]

4. Check out other schools. Volunteering might also be an option.

You don't have to be a paralegal to volunteer. Also, law schools factor in letters of recommendation and personal experience.

[Rainbowreflect]

5. Volunteering is a great idea.

Most cities have some type legal services agency. Volunteer even if it just clerical work it gets your foot in the door.

[Guaranteed]

6. I thought about breaking out the phone book and just

sending a token resume with a cover-letter halfway begging for a volunteer job (or minimum wage, something to that effect) to every law office in there.

Not really begging of course, but giving them the basic idea of "Here I am, do with me what you will."

[philosophie_en_rose]

9. Check out pro bono attorney services.

In Washington, we have legal services for people within income guidelines. These places could always use someone to answer the phones and draft letters.

[Guaranteed]

10. That's a great idea, because it's the kind of work

I want to do anyway (kinda goes back to the me not wanting to be a whore thing). I'm interested in ACLU-type stuff, civil liberties/rights, probably not much money to be made.

[philosophie_en_rose]

11. The ACLU might need volunteers, then.

And, in an election year, the local democrats might be able to hook you up with a Dem attorney. Free labor is hard to turn away.