Downside to taking both Dec & Feb Exams?

[kyleenloe]

Hi, I was wondering if I could get an explanation as to what the pros/cons would be in taking both tests. I'll be taking the December test and applying to my desired schools shortly after (both of which have April 1 deadlines). My question is, if I receive my scores and get accepted, continue to study, take the February test and get a higher score, would the schools amend my initial application and grant me any more scholarship money based on the higher test results if I've already been accepted?

Also, how do committees typically review re-applicants? I was wait-listed ( ) at a few schools and with my LSAT score expected to increase, I was wondering if there would be any particular stigma in reapplying or if committees treat re-applicants differently.

Thanks!!

[Steve Stein]

Hey Kyleen,

That's an interesting question. For many students, the decision whether to retake the test after December would come after the December test. Planning to take the February test right now, it seems to me, could make the December test seem like a trial run, and potentially reduce your motivation to get fully prepared, so you might want to focus on preparation for now, and table the decision whether to retake until after the December test. At that point you will have a lot more information anyway; you will have a feel for how the test went, and likely be in a better position to assess your prospects for improvement (even more so after you receive you score).

With that said, there has never been a better time to have more than one score on your report: Under the old rules, schools reported the average LSAT score for each student, meaning that if you had more than one score, it was the average of all your scores that admissions committees would be focused on. A few years ago, these rules were changed, and now schools use each student's highest score in the determination of class averages. In short, most schools will be looking primarily at your highest score when making admission decisions, and reapplying should generally not be detrimental.

My colleague Dave Killoran wrote a forum post just last month in which he discusses this very same point, offers some helpful links, and responds to your other questions as well:

• "...on the retake question, it would not be a big deal for you to score about the same or a few points lower. I've been posting on that topic a lot recently, and just Monday posted a blog on whether you should retake the LSAT. Our friends over at Spivey Consulting also wrote a blog for us that examined why it is that only the high score matters these days, and that all others are inconsequential. So, you could retake it and things wouldn't be at risk (and, if you knew you bombed it, you could just cancel with no harm done). If you did score a few points higher, it would be worth it, by the way. Every point counts, not only for admissions purposes but for scholarships as well.

My colleagues may have additional thoughts and advice, but I hope that's helpful! Please let me know-thanks!

~Steve

[kyleenloe]

Thanks Steve! I didn't poke around in the forum as much as I should, I answered my own question shortly after posting by looking around in the forum; sorry for the redundancy. Could you address the second part of my inquiry? Whether particular admissions committees view re-applicants different than first timers? From what I recall, there was a portion on their application that asked if you had ever applied before. How do they use that information? Why do they ask? I'm also curious to know what they would think if I had a different tone to my personal statement or how other factors might influence their perception of me on the second go 'round.

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide me with!

[Steve Stein]

Hey Kyleen,

Thanks for your response. Schools won't likely hold it against you that you are a re-applicant, but they will want to see how you may have become a more appealing candidate in the interim—that is likely part of the reason that they ask. The Pre-Law Handbook of New College (of Florida) provides some good advice in this area:

• "Examine the reasons why you were not competitive. Was it a bad recommendation letter? A poor LSAT score? Did you apply to too few schools? Attempt to correct any problems before applying a second time."

As for adding a different tone to your personal statement, that is advisable, and certainly preferable to having schools that waitlisted you read the very same essay they saw when making their previous decision. Ideally, you will see a nice increase in your LSAT score, which will remain a primary consideration of admissions committees when you reapply.

Others may have thoughts and advice to add, but I hope that's helpful! Please let me know whether this is responsive to your questions—thanks!

~Steve