Application Process

[Frank]

Hey guys,

I just wrote the June 8th LSAT and I'm hoping to get some advice regarding the application process. This most recent exam was my second crack at the LSAT and my score improved from a 161 to a 164. Although I'm happy with the score I got - it seems as though it would be sufficient to get me into all but one or two schools here in Canada - it was lower than where I was averaging with my practice tests. I really poured a lot of effort into studying for this June exam and I was ranging between the high 160's and low 170's (I had a 171 on the Feb 2014 test which I took on the Saturday before the real exam on Monday). Unfortunately I just didn't preform well on test day.

I'm working on the other parts of my applications and I plan to apply this summer before the November 1st deadline. What I'm curious about is whether I should send my application to schools that have a higher median LSAT score, and what would happen most likely happen to my applications if I tried to write the LSAT again in September or even December. If my applications are sent out at the end of August and if I did decide to write again in either September or December, how would that affect the application process? Would it only matter for schools that might put me on a wait list because my score is lower than the median? What would happen if my score was lower than 164, would that affect the applications that I had already sent out.

Its hard for me to think about studying for the LSAT again, and I've exhausted most of the available practice exams, but at the same time its discouraging to know that I didn't have my best exam. I feel very confident about my skills in answering the questions so if I were to try and write once more, could I get away with less preparation time?

I really appreciate any advice.

Thanks,

Frank

[jeff.wren]

Hi Frank,

First, congratulations on improving your score.

As to the question of whether to retake the exam in October, you have to weigh the additional time and effort studying with the possible advantages that a higher score would bring. Keep in mind that a higher LSAT score may impact financial aid as well as which schools accept you. If your prospective law schools use your highest LSAT score rather than averaging your scores, then there is even more potential reward and less risk in retaking it.

In response to your other questions, I'd recommend starting with this link to our blog post regarding submitting applications if you plan on retaking the LSAT.

http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid/249 ... g-the-LSAT

In short, my understanding is that if you submit your applications in August and do not inform the law schools that you are planning to retake the LSAT, they will make their decision based on your current scores. If you inform these schools that you are planning on retaking the LSAT, then they will hold off on your applications until they receive the new score.

Because the Oct. LSAT is still considered relatively early in terms of the admissions cycle, I'd probably suggest holding off on your applications until after your receive your Oct. LSAT score, at least for those schools with the higher median LSAT scores.

Because you've already been studying for months, I wouldn't recommend holding off until December unless something prevents you from taking it in October. Waiting until December would put you at a slight disadvantage due to rolling admissions.

Hope this helps.

Best,
Jeff