Retake or Write Addendum or Apply - Opinions please

[Rbastien995]

Hi there,

So, unfortunately, I did not score as well as I wanted to with the Feb Flex. I received a 146 after scoring in the mid 150's with my practice tests beforehand. I really think a reason for the drop was my reading comprehension. I have always had a tough time with that, tracking back to the SAT/ACT. I currently am working a full-time job at Ernst&Young and have found it to be very hard having the energy to study after work and on the weekends just because work hours can be strenuous.

I currently live in Tampa, FL, and was planning on applying to Stetson and the University of Memphis (Dad is an alumnus of the Law school). I was curious if I should retake in June while still working in a busy season, Write an addendum describing my score having not much time with work and also that this score does not represent my ability (I had a low SAT and ACT, and I was a 3.3 GPA Finance Major with Info Systems Minor, I have never been good at these standardized tests), or apply with my score and the possibility of getting in the UM since my dad graduated there and the campus and faculty are amazing. I also have two good LORs and a great Personal Statement, according to those who have read it.

Just looking for opinions, this score in no way represents my ability and never has. Just really bummed at the moment. Also, paying for the courses is starting to hurt my wallet a lot and I know that law school is expensive, but those payments are different.

Thank you!

[Adam Tyson]

For both of the schools you are considering, your LSAT is below the median by a good bit, and your GPA is at the median for Stetson and below for UM. It sounds like you have some good "soft" factors to help you at UM that might weigh in your favor, but you are likely looking at no scholarship opportunities at either school., so you need to be prepared to pay full price at either, which means graduating with six figures of debt. You have to weigh that into whatever decision you make.

If you decide to apply, you should absolutely include an addendum that deals with your LSAT score and your past history with standardized tests not being representative of your academic achievements. I wouldn't focus on the issue of having little time to study, as that's the case for most students and will come off as a weak excuse. Turn that negative into a positive and talk about how hard working you are, how much effort you put in, and how testing doesn't reveal your true ability.

Given the median LSATs at those schools, I would counsel you to retake the LSAT in June or later, even if that means delaying your application by a year. That year won't mean anything in the long run, but the reduced debt that comes with scholarships will mean a tremendous amount, including having an impact on what sort of jobs you can afford to accept. Folks who graduate with that much debt can have a very hard time taking positions as, say, public defenders or in small practices that may pay less than the Big Law jobs. If you want that flexibility, you need to consider your law school debt now, before you are looking at having to repay it.

Also, retaking, even if you improve only a little, will look better on your application than accepting your first try as your final score. It will show that you are willing to work hard to improve. And if your score doesn't improve, it further bolsters your position that standardized tests simply aren't a good way to measure you as an applicant.