LSAT and Law School Admissions Forum

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General questions relating to law school or law school admissions.
 jml1495
  • Posts: 1
  • Joined: Jun 30, 2016
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#26818
Just got my LSAT score back and I am having trouble deciding if I should retake it. My school of choice's numbers are as follows: GPA: Median-3.71, 75th- 3.83, LSAT: Median-162, 75th- 164. I scored a 163 on the LSAT and have a 3.76 GPA. So what do you think my chances are for getting into my school of choice? Do I have a really good shot or should I retake the LSAT? Thanks for your help!
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 Dave Killoran
PowerScore Staff
  • PowerScore Staff
  • Posts: 5994
  • Joined: Mar 25, 2011
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#26821
Hi JML,

Thanks for the question! Calculating exact chances of admission is extremely difficult without seeing your entire application, including your transcript, your ECs, your recs, and your personal statement. While those are less important than LSAT/GPA, they do make a difference, and they tend to shift the percentages one way or the other. Also, each admission cycle changes depending on the other applicants in the pool. Without the ability to review your entire app in the manner a law school would, and to compare it to the other applicants in your pool, there will never be a truly accurate statistical estimation that anyone can produce.

Ok, that disclaimer aside, your numbers alone tell us that you are in the mix and have a decent shot, probably in the 75% to 85% range. So, should you take the LSAT again? On the negative side, you are already likely to get in and studying for the LSAT takes a lot of time (and money). Those are negatives that only you can weigh against the other plans you have for this summer.

The positives of retaking the LSAT are clear, and are also pretty strong. The first is that a score increase will raise your chances of admission and a score decrease has no effect (see http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/should- ... -agree-yes for a discussion on how schools view multiple LSAT scores). So, if you want to eliminate chance as much as possible, posting a higher score helps do that and carries no downside risk. The other big benefit is that a higher LSAT score can help increase the value of your financial aid package and increase your chances of obtaining scholarships. For some people, that makes the extra time and money spent preparing for a second take worth it. Again, only you know if that is worth it for you.

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!

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