Retake the LSAT in hopes of getting in to Columbia or NYU? Forum

[otterpotter]

Here's my situation...URM with low socioeconomic background, kind of crappy UGPA overall, but very strong upward trend- (took 5 years to graduate but last three years had 3.85 or higher) and 163 on LSAT June 2010. I had MONO while taking it, and didn't re take because I couldn't stand the idea of studying for another test.

Got accepted to Fordham and BC, both with good amount of money and put a seat deposit down at Fordham on Friday. I'm wait listed at Columbia and Cornell, and have not yet heard back from NYU.

Do I suck it up and retake the LSAT in June in hopes of getting in off the WL at Columbia or Cornell (or NYU if they don't ding me)? I was scoring 170s on my practice tests and feel *pretty* confident I could hit the score.

My concerns are:
Suppose I bombed and accidentally did worse. What would that mean for my admission to Fordham and the financial aid they promised me?

Also, should I contact NYU now and tell them that I am planning on taking the June LSAT? Would that increase their chances of wait listing me (assuming that I'm not going to be accepted so late in the cycle)?

Thanks guys!


EDIT: waiting another year is not an option. I'm going this September even if it is to Fordham.

[icouldbuyu]

I say retake, and reapply September 1st if you score a 167+. IMO, Fordham is not a Top-Law-School, and shouldn't be considered unless it would be completely free.

[otterpotter]

I say retake, and reapply September 1st if you score a 167+. IMO, Fordham is not a Top-Law-School, and shouldn't be considered unless it would be completely free.

I'm starting this Fall, definitely not waiting another year. Re: your opinion on Fordham -Are you outside of NY? Fordham's got a strong presence here and students compete strongly in the NY market.

[dc1s]

I say retake, and reapply September 1st if you score a 167+. IMO, Fordham is not a Top-Law-School, and shouldn't be considered unless it would be completely free.

I'm starting this Fall, definitely not waiting another year. Re: your opinion on Fordham -Are you outside of NY? Fordham's got a strong presence here and students compete strongly in the NY market.

If you aren't waiting another year, I think the risk (potentially losing whatever you have with Fordham) outweighs the reward (very low probability of being accepted after such a late LSAT and being so late in the cycle). Do you know how often people are accepted off the wait list after June/July?

[socraticmethodman]

OP- It sounds like you already know what you want to do. With that being said, check to make sure Fordham doesn't average scores, and if they don't, take the LSAT and see what happens

[otterpotter]

I say retake, and reapply September 1st if you score a 167+. IMO, Fordham is not a Top-Law-School, and shouldn't be considered unless it would be completely free.

I'm starting this Fall, definitely not waiting another year. Re: your opinion on Fordham -Are you outside of NY? Fordham's got a strong presence here and students compete strongly in the NY market.

If you aren't waiting another year, I think the risk (potentially losing whatever you have with Fordham) outweighs the reward (very low probability of being accepted after such a late LSAT and being so late in the cycle). Do you know how often people are accepted off the wait list after June/July?

I know 1 person who got in to Cornell that way. The thing is I am not so sure I'm risking anything with Fordham. Most of the $ they gave me was need based anyway. Going to call the financial aid office on Monday and just ask them point blank, I think.

[gothamm]

If you were consistently scoring in the 170's, then I think the answer is quite obvious.

[Knock]

Definitely retake, I don't think scoring lower will hurt you, and if you are consistently scoring in the 170's and only scored a 163 due to mono it seems like a pretty safe bet you'd improve.

[woeisme]

Do schools even consider June LSATs that were taken the same year as 1L begins? I don't know that they do. Wait a year (I'm not sure why you really have to start this fall) or get used to the idea of Fordham.

[icouldbuyu]

I say retake, and reapply September 1st if you score a 167+. IMO, Fordham is not a Top-Law-School, and shouldn't be considered unless it would be completely free.

I'm starting this Fall, definitely not waiting another year. Re: your opinion on Fordham -Are you outside of NY? Fordham's got a strong presence here and students compete strongly in the NY market.

I'm from NY. Fordham is nothing special. It's basically an over-hyped Cardozo. Plus they placed like 25 percent this year, so I wouldn't consider that strong? My point is that a 163 while you were sick is pretty good. I say suck up the hardship of studying for the LSAT and try to get into a good school.

[pbutta123]

Retake in June. Ive never heard of a law school rescinding an offer after you already got in! lol. So retake if you score 170+ tell Fordham to fuck off because you're going to cornell/nyu/columbia.... And if you really score that 170+ do something fun for a year knowing your getting into a great law school the following year.
Hike up your skirt and start taking practice tests NOW.

[WhirledWorld]

.

[otterpotter]

Why isn't waiting a year an option? A URM with a 170+ has a legitimate shot at huge scholarships elsewhere and a really good shot at Columbia/NYU (depending on your GPA). Wouldn't you want to wait a year if it meant you could get a full ride to Fordham?

Fordham doesn't give full rides.

[icouldbuyu]

Why isn't waiting a year an option? A URM with a 170+ has a legitimate shot at huge scholarships elsewhere and a really good shot at Columbia/NYU (depending on your GPA). Wouldn't you want to wait a year if it meant you could get a full ride to Fordham?

Fordham doesn't give full rides.

You'd prolly be looking at a full ride to MVP at a minimum. Fordham would be a complete waste at that point. The fact that Fordham gives absolutely no money is another reason why I think Fordham is crap. They think they're T14-calibre, but stats show that they aren't.

[otterpotter]

Why isn't waiting a year an option? A URM with a 170+ has a legitimate shot at huge scholarships elsewhere and a really good shot at Columbia/NYU (depending on your GPA). Wouldn't you want to wait a year if it meant you could get a full ride to Fordham?

Fordham doesn't give full rides.

You'd prolly be looking at a full ride to MVP at a minimum. Fordham would be a complete waste at that point. The fact that Fordham gives absolutely no money is another reason why I think Fordham is crap. They think they're T14-calibre, but stats show that they aren't.

I think I would have a shot at making it this year off the WL if I can get 170. I also don't want to leave ny and while there's a lot of reasons I don't want to delay a year the simplest one is I'm already looking at graduating when i'm 30 and I need to get this show on the road. Fordham is giving me $25k - their Max.

[sanjola]

Here's my situation...URM with low socioeconomic background, kind of crappy UGPA overall, but very strong upward trend- (took 5 years to graduate but last three years had 3.85 or higher) and 163 on LSAT June 2010. I had MONO while taking it, and didn't re take because I couldn't stand the idea of studying for another test.

Got accepted to Fordham and BC, both with good amount of money and put a seat deposit down at Fordham on Friday. I'm wait listed at Columbia and Cornell, and have not yet heard back from NYU.

Do I suck it up and retake the LSAT in June in hopes of getting in off the WL at Columbia or Cornell (or NYU if they don't ding me)? I was scoring 170s on my practice tests and feel *pretty* confident I could hit the score.

My concerns are:
Suppose I bombed and accidentally did worse. What would that mean for my admission to Fordham and the financial aid they promised me?

Also, should I contact NYU now and tell them that I am planning on taking the June LSAT? Would that increase their chances of wait listing me (assuming that I'm not going to be accepted so late in the cycle)?

Thanks guys!


EDIT: waiting another year is not an option. I'm going this September even if it is to Fordham.

If you're not going to wait a year, Fordham isn't a bad backup plan.

[bp shinners]

I don't think that you'd bomb a retake - if you were that much lower than your practice tests, it sounds like you already bombed it once (and that was because of an illness). I'd definitely recommend retaking it, though I don't think it will be considered by schools making decisions for the entering class this fall (at least, not Columbia/NYU). If you're set on starting this year, Fordham isn't a terrible place to study law; however, I think that you'd end up at a much better school if you took the extra year to reapply.

[georges2]

Wait.. is there anyway for fordham to know his score(lets supposed he bombs it), if he desn't directly reports it to them?

[dr123]

First of all, waiting a year is an option there is nobody holding a gun to your head saying you must go to law school NOW

Second, waiting a year could possibly save you tens of thousands of dollars

[094320]

..

[gmreplay]

I got a 161 followed by a 170 and got into CLS. Retake.