How much would "old app" hurt even with higher LSAT score?

[oychoi]

Hi Team,

So I am currently in the midst of intensive LSAT prep and do feel confident that with some more time, I can score much higher on the LSAT and get close to my dream score (high 160's to 170's).

Unfortunately, I applied very late this past cycle (end of January) with a lower LSAT score (158). I panicked a lot on test day and significantly underperformed. I made the mistake of still taking a gamble and applying for schools that were well beyond my score range (like UCLA). I am confident that my LSAT score is the single biggest reason for getting rejected as it is way below UCLA and similar schools' score range.

Despite the confidence that I can do better for this cycle, I am concerned that I burned through a lot of good "softs" through of my old application. I have pretty good work experience and credentials (licensed CPA and worked 4 years in Public Accounting) and had good recs and a decent GPA (3.5). Other advisors thought very highly of my personal statement as well because I had a clear reason for wanting to go to law school.

I would love to utilize those same "softs" but would that put me at a significant disadvantage even with a higher score?

I obviously would update my personal statement so that it is not exactly the same but the core would be very similar still. And I would love to ask for the same recs as the people I asked really championed me.

What are your thoughts? I know that is a lot but I would appreciate any thoughts! Thank you!!

[Paul Marsh]

Hey oychoi! I'm glad to hear the LSAT prep is going well.

You can definitely re-use your letters of recommendation (just double check with the writers of the letters to make sure they're cool with you updating the date on the letter, and then go ahead and update the date). And of course you still want your resume to reference all of your relevant experience such as your CPA and work experience (although if you can update it with anything new that you've done in the last year, definitely do so!). So basically to answer your question, yes absolutely. A law school is not going to expect you to be able to spin a totally new life story just one cycle later! The only thing I would alter in any meaningful way is your personal statement. It sounds like you're already planning on doing that. Recycling the same (or almost the same) personal statement could strike some schools the wrong way. That's not to say you can't utilize many of the same topics or issues from your first statement, but I would try writing a new one from the ground up that also includes an explanation of what you've done in the past year to better prepare yourself for the LSAT/law school in general.

Hope that helps!