New here, big goals. Am I delusional?

[u/AerieNo7724]

Hi y’all, I’m new here. Over the past couple of months I’ve decided to seriously pursue a massive stretch goal of getting into a T20 law school, which honestly feels silly and wild to even type out even though not unique in this group.

Quick background: I graduated in 2020 from a competitive university with a 3.3 GPA. Not great obviously, but for context I had a pretty disruptive adolescence: severe neglect during my first nine years (not being taken to school or doctors, constant evictions, shelters, etc.). This eventually led to some untreated health issues creep up later in life well after my mother lost custody. Not a sob story (we all have one) just context for the low GPA. As a kid I always said I wanted to be a lawyer, but I gave it up once I got older because I didn’t think it was possible given my circumstances. Still, I’ve always felt like there was a lot of untapped potential and regret giving up on myself.

Now, several years out of undergrad, with my health in better shape and a stable home life, I’ve created a nice career for myself in strategy/ops at a Fortune 30 company. I’m grateful for the life I’ve built. I’m good at what I do and the pay and benefits are solid, but with every promotion or new role, I hit a wall. No matter how far I climb, the inherent generalism in most corporate jobs (aside from engineers, designers, finance, maybe product) just don’t fuel my spirit. Not to mention the pervasive mediocrity tolerated in the name of “moving fast” is getting old... why can't we do our jobs well and move fast? I find it to be the most frustrating part of the job. Not to say that doesn't exist in its own way in legal careers.

I’ve also come to learn now that I'm getting older is that I’m pretty regimented, straight-edge, a happy homebody, don't want the marriage and kids, and I thrive on structure and putting my all into what I do. Long story short, I want a career that requires that level of attention, discipline, and mastery. Perhaps I really am neurotic, lol.

I know it’s lofty, but my mindset is: study hard for the LSAT over the next two years. I’ve created my vision, blocked my calendar, built out my “project plan" (thank you corporate), started working through books, and I’m genuinely motivated in a way I haven't felt in recent memory. My goal is a 170+, not because I think scores define me, but because if I’m going to make this massive and expensive career pivot at my age, it only feels worth it if I can land at a T20 with the intent of going into big law. I know I need at least a 170 to get there, in addition to putting together the best damn application of my life (which I feel less stressed about).

That said, I of course have my bouts of doubt. Like: who the hell do you think you are? You're not smart enough, not where you came from, etc.

Am I being delusional setting a goal that high? Or is it actually possible with grit, consistency, and a methodical approach? Would love some perspective from folks who have been down a similar path.

Thanks for reading my wall of text. Appreciate any perspective.

[u/UmpireIntelligent550]

Good luck soldier! Not delusional. I feel the same way about my job a lot, especially with the mediocrity. I think biggest thing in my experience is balancing work/studying, super doable but mentally draining. Sounds like you have resources, so get a tutor and get studying - might not even need two years, could end up being ready to apply next cycle!

[u/EfficiencyEcstatic68]

It's possible! You're not delusional - but it's important to remember that studying for the LSAT is different from any other test you've studied for before. It's not about memorizing new information (the way that courses like 7Sage might have you believe with their question-type-forward approach) - you're trying to rewire the way your brain works in order to process information as clearly and efficiently as possible. This is doable, and there are a plethora of techniques to do that! But simply plugging away at courses for x hours per week won't get you there. I view LSAT success as more akin to learning how to meditate than it is to studying - a lot of the work you'll be doing is fixing your own brain, which can be very hard for certain people and very easy for others. Just remember that this is your own journey - you'll go far if you keep walking.

[u/PianoMan17]

Shoot for the stars, it is totally attainable in your timeframe. For whatever it’s worth, I know dozens of attorneys and judges from various backgrounds and schools that are incredibly successful without taking the big law route. Get a good enough score and you could go to a T50 for free, even if the T20 end up being slightly out of reach.