Cancel or not? URGENT

[LSAThug]

Hi all,

The test last week didn't go well, and it's quite possible that I underperformed relative to my previous score of 163 (December 2015). Unfortunately, this was my third try (I cancelled back in June 2015), so what's done is done. Here's the thing: I've already sent in my applications (mostly T-14 schools) and urged them to wait until the February score comes out. Now what? I was scoring in the 170's on practice tests, so I felt comfortable saying that... in retrospect, I probably shouldn't have.

Anyway, the dilemma now is whether to cancel or not. If I cancel, I'll prevent schools from seeing a score that is probably no higher than 165, and may well be lower than 163. Canceling now will also give schools the green light to review my apps without having to wait until the February score comes out. The downside, of course, is that I'd be canceling a score that I specifically asked schools to look out for. Embarrassing, to put it mildly.

So, which is the lesser of the two evils? Should I embarrass myself by canceling or risk a lower score by not canceling? Either way, how do I spin this to admissions officers?

I know, I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks!!

[Nikki Siclunov]

Hi Thug (or hug?),

Sorry to hear this has been such an ordeal. It's a tough decision, but it doesn't seem like you'll gain much by canceling: as you said, it would be a bit embarrassing to tell schools that they shouldn't, after all, wait for your February score to come out. "Oops!" doesn't quite cut it. Yeah, it will expedite the handling of your application by 2 weeks, but that's not terribly significant. Also, and we have confirmed this from multiple sources, only your highest score counts! So, even if you get stuck with a score that is lower than 163, that won't matter. Basically, you have everything to gain (and nothing to lose) from keeping your score. What if you actually did better than you think?

Of course, if your score from February is indeed abysmal, the addendum you prematurely sent out would ring hollow. But such is life - I wouldn't send a second addendum trying to "fix" the first. Obviously, you hoped to do better but didn't. The more attention you pay to this mishap, the more attention they will pay to it. You don't want that.

Others might feel differently about this, but I say - roll the dice and keep it.

Thanks,

[Jon Denning]

I second that advice. In fact, I had a very similar discussion with a student yesterday who was worried that her Feb score could be lower than December (in a worst-case scenario), but who admitted it could have gone up slightly.

My suggestion to both you and her? Keep it. It's a roll of the dice in terms of unpredictability, but the risk/reward breakdown is skewed pretty heavily in favor of reward in my opinion (for the reasons Nikki outlines).

Good luck, and keep us posted!

[Dave Killoran]

Lat me add another voice to the "keep your score" vote: http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/should- ... -agree-yes. Only the high score matters, and the chance of getting a point higher is worth it.

Thanks!