156 Advice

[Rachel3]

Hi!
I got a 156 on the November exam (second attempt). I have applied as Early Decision to one school where the median for Early Decision is 158. I also applied/will be applying soon to a few other schools. I have a 3.95 GPA and very strong application materials. I would like your advice as to whether I should just wait for the decisions to come back, or plan on retaking in February. I would potentially have to register before the Early Decision comes back (1/7 vs. 1/10)

Will that retake be too late? I know a stronger late application is better than a weaker earlier one.
Can I apply to the same school twice in the same cycle? For instance, if they deny me in Early Decision, can I reapply in the general pool, if I decide to retake the LSAT?

I would really prefer not to take a gap year; the budget is very tight and I already have extensive work experience in the legal field (including legal research, motion drafting and other projects for 18 months with two State Attorney's Offices collectively and 16 months with a circuit and a county judge collectively, besides working for 8 months at the Early Decision law school that is part of my undergraduate university, shadowing in the Student Legal Services and seven years as an volunteer prosecutor in Youth Court).
Thank you!

[Dave Killoran]

Hi!
I got a 156 on the November exam (second attempt). I have applied as Early Decision to one school where the median for Early Decision is 158. I also applied/will be applying soon to a few other schools. I have a 3.95 GPA and very strong application materials. I would like your advice as to whether I should just wait for the decisions to come back, or plan on retaking in February. I would potentially have to register before the Early Decision comes back (1/7 vs. 1/10)

Will that retake be too late? I know a stronger late application is better than a weaker earlier one.
Can I apply to the same school twice in the same cycle? For instance, if they deny me in Early Decision, can I reapply in the general pool, if I decide to retake the LSAT?

I would really prefer not to take a gap year; the budget is very tight and I already have extensive work experience in the legal field (including legal research, motion drafting and other projects for 18 months with two State Attorney's Offices collectively and 16 months with a circuit and a county judge collectively, besides working for 8 months at the Early Decision law school that is part of my undergraduate university, shadowing in the Student Legal Services and seven years as an volunteer prosecutor in Youth Court).
Thank you!

Hi Rachel,

This depends a lot on the schools. February is certainly later in the process, but depending on the school it can be very late or surprisingly in the middle. See the following for more info: https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/top-10 ... deadlines/. The schools in question here will dictate what your options are.

With ED, it looks like your numbers are competitive so they'd probably not outright reject you but instead move you to the regular decision pool. And, if you were borderline, if they saw another take coming they'd be even less likely to reject you outright.

Given where you are, I'd register for that Feb LSAT at the last minute just to have it in your pocket in case you don't have a decision. Expensive I know, but cheaper than a gap year. Then when 1/10 passes you can start restudying if needed.

Thanks and good luck!