re: Need advice from O-T lawyers

1. The job market sucks really, really big time. Louisiana has four law schools that pump out hundreds of graduates each year. Most of the old entry level positions are now manned by paralegals, who will stay with the firm longer for lower salary, and won't split off into a competing firm after a few years.

2. You can still get a fine practical background from a non-top school. If you plan to practice in Louisiana, then consider that a local school will much better prepare you to pass the La. Bar, as each state's laws are different in some areas. LSU graduates pass the bar at the highest rate. Go to a "top tier" (expensive) school only if they will eat your tuition.

3. I don't think a MA in Philosophy improves your resume'. It is perhaps better than no undergrad degree at all, like me. Technical background like engineering or nursing is highly sought after. In fact, you may find that being a philosophical sort is a hindrance if your morals get offended by the conduct of others, including the lawyers you oppose.

4. Admissions standards can differ. It always helps to have good GPA, including grad school, and most schools will let you point that out in a letter.

5. Tutoring and preparation for the LSAT can help tremendously, some more than others, but costs don't equal quality. I teach Analytical Reasoning for a LSAT prep entity, and tutor privately. We usually do a low cost program at Southern in the Spring, underwritten by a grant from the school. Practice tests can be a fair predictor of performance, only if taken under the same conditions. With your grades and a decent score, you certainly will get in to many school. Harvard, you need a top 1% score or be a special case minority etc.

6. In general, DON'T DO IT. Law School, and the subject matter of law can be very interesting, but lawyers have some of the highest rates of alcoholism and suicide for a reason - actual law practice can be stressful and brutally unfulfilling, and destroy your family life. You don't automatically get rich, or even prosperous.

ALTERNATIVE ADVICE: Pursue it ONLY if you focus on Real Estate practice, as you mentioned, or Banking or other non-litigation area. That can provide a nice 9 to 5 job where you get a paycheck every two weeks and don't take the work home with you. Litigation against those other assholes gets old quick. If you focus on Real Estate, I suggest acquainting yourself with a title abstractor and learning how to do title research (makes an okay summer job too), and getting a license to write title insurance asap.

Long-winded when I get started, sorry.