The December Test Date and Applying Late

[zucchini90]

Hey all,

So yesterday I posted a similar question over in General LSAT Prep, but perhaps my specific questions regarding admissions fit better here. Basically, I'm considering switching from the October to the December test date. As I said in my other post, I'm worried that I won't reach peak performance by the October date, for which I am currently registered. I really have my heart set on a T-14 (specifically Columbia!), and with the four prep tests I've taken so far, I'm just not there yet in terms of the numbers -- my highest score so far has been a 158, and I've been prepping since August. I have about 30+ more prep tests, so if I really push myself, I might be able to do about 1-2 EVERY day, per day until the October test ( ). But assuming I can actually manage that amount of cramming, I'm just not confident I would be able to score any higher than about a 172, if even that. I suppose it's possible, but the major problems I'm having seem to be grappling with concepts in Logical Reasoning, and I'd like to work through the LR Bible and Workbook to correct the issue. But, with basically three weeks left, I'm not sure I'd be able to get back on track with LR and get through a good number of my prep tests in time to really get a feel for the scores I'm averaging.

I could, of course, retake in December, but ideally I'd like to have just one test on record. The other issue there is that I'm concerned I'd run through all my recent prep tests trying to get my score up as much as possible for October, to the point where I'd have to use much older tests in preparation for December, provided I did decide to retake it. But like I said, I'm really not sure I'd even be able to crack a 170 by October, even if I try my hardest and work through all my material -- I'm already pretty burnt out, to be honest, and am fearful of basically running myself down to the point where, you know, I'm just experiencing diminishing returns.

That being said, I am confident I could get a 170+ on the December test, if not a score somewhere in the high 170's. Besides LR, the other troubles I'm having are generally just speed and unfamiliarity with the test, I think, so it seems I can easily improve in those areas. Additionally, if I did decide to forgo the October test in favor of December, I could slow down a little bit and work at a slower pace with the tests, giving myself time to address new issues as they come along and gain confidence.

However, the December test means I'm applying no earlier than the first few weeks of January, correct? I assume there's no option to expedite your score, is there ? This wouldn't be an issue of me not getting my materials together in time, obviously, because if I can slow down with my studying, I'll have ample time to prepare my personal statement and secure my LOR's before December, or at the very least get them to the point where all they'll need is some simple editing in the time between the test and when I receive my score. What I'm wondering, then, is how much applying that late will hurt my chances?

I mean, let's say the best I could do by this October was somewhere in the mid- to high 160s. Would sending my applications in with that score by mid-November really help me more than waiting until the December test (provided by then I can secure a score in the high 170's) and sending my applications in by early to mid-January? Here's what the rest of my application might look like, should that help to shed some more light on my situation:

I graduated last May with a 3.69 from a college with well-known rigorous academics. Not the most competitive GPA, I know, but I can address this on an addendum if that helps at all and, moreover, my grades show a definite upward improvement. Through my four years of college, I kept a steady freelance job with a software company that provides stocks and commodities analysis. I had a pretty competitive internship in biomedical/psychosocial pediatric research, a summer abroad program in Religion and History and a couple other activities in college that might be worth mentioning. As for my LOR's, I have about 3-4 professors in mind who know me well and would write me excellent recommendations. I'm also a pretty strong writer, so with a good personal statement, I hope that my softs will seem at least somewhat compelling to admissions committees. I'm just not sure how to balance this all with my concerns about my LSAT score, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

I apologize that this is so very long, but I just wanted to make sure I conveyed the specifics about my situation accurately. I'm just sort of at a lost about where to go from here, and when trying to maximize my chances, I'm not sure what the most important things to consider are.

Thanks for listening,
Zuch

[Anne Chaconas]

Hey Zuch,

I won't answer the LSAT prep questions here, since I'm sure that will be addressed in the post you left in the other boards. I'll tackle just your admissions questions.

Your primary question seems to be this: Will having a low LSAT score harm me more than applying relatively late in the cycle? The answer is most decidedly a YES. When it comes to schools in the T-14, applying early can give you a boost, sure--but only if you already have the credentials they're looking for. A 158/3.69 (I'm going off what you're actually scoring at, given that any other number right now is speculative) would not get you into Columbia, no matter how early you apply or what the rest of your application looks like (of course, there's always the one-in-a-million possibility, but the odds are stacked heavily against you).

Your 3.69 is within the range Columbia typically accepts (their most recent 25th-75th percentiles are 3.60-3.80), so you're good there--however, if you have legitimate reasons (such as a family illness, having to work full-time while attending college, etc.) for why it's not higher, then you can address them in an addendum. If you choose to go that route, I encourage you to read this post: http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid/153 ... th-addenda

Your LSAT score is what is going to matter, given that your GPA is on the slightly lower end for Columbia's standards. You're going to have to get at least a 170--and I would actually aim for a 172+ to really max out your chances. If you end up submitting everything in January because you had to postpone your LSAT until December, BUT end up submitting an app with a 3.69/174, your chances are going to be exponentially better than if you submit your app in late October/early November with a 3.69/158. You're a completely different kind of applicant with a 174--you're no longer trying to write your way into the school. Now you're simply keeping your presumptive admission with exceptional essays and letters. Of course, there's always the chance you don't get in (no one is a sure bet in the top echelons of the T14), but your chances are much, much higher that you will get the fat envelope.

In short: The LSAT is the most important component (numerical and otherwise) in your application. It can make or break you. If you want to crack the T14, you need a T14 LSAT score. If you need to postpone your LSAT until December to get it, then that's the option you should go with.

Hope that helps! Best of luck!

[zucchini90]

Thank you so much for the fast and informative reply! In the process of changing it to December right now .

[Anne Chaconas]

I'm glad my answer was helpful! Best of luck to you!