LSAT retake and application advice

[rachel444]

Hi,

I took the LSAT in August and did not score too well. I received a 149 but rescheduled to take it again in October. If I do not feel ready to take it come October, should I push to November? I want to send in applications ideally by the end of November as I still have some work to do. I would prefer to submit applications as early as possible because I am worried about receiving enough financial aid. I am also wondering if I do not do as well as I hope when I take it for the second time (either in October or November) if it would be worth it to take it again in January and inform the schools to which I am applying that I am planning to retake it? Would I be viewed negatively for taking it a third time?

Thanks,
Rachel

[Stephanie Oswalt]

Hi,

I took the LSAT in August and did not score too well. I received a 149 but rescheduled to take it again in October. If I do not feel ready to take it come October, should I push to November? I want to send in applications ideally by the end of November as I still have some work to do. I would prefer to submit applications as early as possible because I am worried about receiving enough financial aid. I am also wondering if I do not do as well as I hope when I take it for the second time (either in October or November) if it would be worth it to take it again in January and inform the schools to which I am applying that I am planning to retake it? Would I be viewed negatively for taking it a third time?

Thanks,
Rachel

Hi Rachel,

Thanks for the post, and sorry to hear that you didn't reach your score goal. Keep pushing through... you can do this!

A few thoughts here. First, if you do not feel ready to take the test in October, then yes, push it to November!

We consistently advise that applying to law schools with a higher score is almost always preferable to applying earlier with a lower score. So, if you're confident that you can get a higher score in November or January, I'd wait to apply to all schools until you have that higher score. January is not too late to apply. An earlier application might give you a slight boost, but that boost is often offset by as little as one extra point on the LSAT. And that applies to both admissions chances and scholarship offers!

Thanks!