Where to apply/Help with Addendum

[graham0220]

First of all - thank you to PowerScore for helping me throughout my entire LSAT journey.

My first question is about an LSAT addendum - what is most helpful to include? As a bit of background, my first LSAT was in the summer of 2019. I was not doing well mentally at the time, but thought I could push through. I scored a 153, which is good, but I knew I was capable of more. This August I scored a 163. While I am happy with this score, I was PTing a bit higher and still knew I was capable of more. I took a few weeks off of studying and dove back into things. I scored a 171 on the October exam (again, thank you PowerScore!). I am really proud of myself and my improvement, but I am also a bit nervous at how a jump from 153 to a 171 will affect my admissions experience? I know schools typically only "take" your highest score, but they will obviously see my other 2 scores. Any advice here?

Second, a 171 is a very different score than what I was originally keeping in mind as I began working on applications for schools on my list. I previously wasn't really considering T20 schools even... Any thoughts on what schools I should now consider? I know there are a lot of other factors, just would appreciate any input!

Thank you!

[Jeremy Press]

Hi graham,

First let me say congrats on such an excellent outcome on the October test! It's always fantastic to see when hard work and dedication to the process pay off, and yours clearly have!

On your specific questions, an LSAT addendum is appropriate in your situation. It should be concise (less than 1 page, preferably about a half page), and it should focus on exactly the two things you mentioned. Be as specific as you're comfortable being about the issues underlying the 153. Don't feel the need to do too much with the jump from the 163 to 171. That kind of improvement is not uncommon, and it won't give the admissions committee much pause. Concisely describe how you knew the 163 didn't accurately measure your potential, and how you knew if you refined your study process somewhat (which you then did), you had a higher score in your reach.

Your application list depends a little bit on your LSDAS GPA. Assuming that number is not too far below any given school's 25th percentile GPA, you should apply anywhere you want to go. Your chances at schools where the 171 is below median (that's not many schools!) will be a little lower, obviously. But it's worth an application even to those places. Anywhere where your GPA is inside the 25th-75th percentile range, and where your LSAT is at or above median (I expect that's some very good schools!), is somewhere that you should consider a target (or safety, depending how far the LSAT is above median). If it's not clear, that means there are probably a good number of schools in the T14 that should now be on your application list.

Let us know if this raises additional questions for you. Congrats on a great score, and best of luck on your application cycle!

[graham0220]

Thank you Jeremy!

This was very helpful! I was not quite expecting to apply to these schools, so your input is very appreciated. My GPA is a 3.99 from a fairly large undergrad university. I did study public health and psychology though, so no engineering courses to tough through (which sure helped my GPA). Hopefully my GPA will still help even though I had *easier* majors (although it was at a top 10 university for studying psychology - don't think that means too much though).

One more quick question - is it possible law schools will think differently of my app seeing my prior 2 scores? I know they are supposed to only consider/use the highest score, but I still fear that they will judge my performance based off of my first score, or maybe judge scholarship $ off a previous score. Any thoughts on this?

Again, thank you so much!

[KelseyWoods]

Hi Graham!

Don't worry too much about your previous lower scores. Law schools really do for the most part only care about your highest score. This is true for admissions generally speaking as well as for scholarships. Some scholarships require a certain minimum GPA or standardized test score so meeting that minimum just helps them give you money. Yes, they will see your previous scores. But a lot of applicants take the LSAT multiple times as well and, as Jeremy said, obtaining a score increase is not uncommon. You have a high GPA (I don't think public health and psychology are "easy" majors!) and a high LSAT score. Write a kick-ass personal statement and apply to those T14 schools confidently!

Good luck!

Best,
Kelsey