Top Law Schools

Sorry, I posted this in the wrong section, re-posting it here:

Hey guys,

I've been a huge fan of this forum (been a lurker for the past 10 months haha). I finally decided to join because I had a couple pressing questions in mind, and there seems to be quite a number of knowledgeable people on here.

Stats:
3.6 LSDAS GPA - graduated Dec '12 from an Ivy (though that doesn't mean much imo)
170 LSAT (Feb '13)
Solid ECs, solid recs
Starting TFA soon - something I've always wanted to do

Questions:
1) Should I retake the LSAT? I know I can score better than that, but I'm really not sure if or when I'll have time to study enough to be confident I'll get a 175+

2) When should I apply to law schools? What additional strength, if any, would my application have if I applied in Fall 2014 instead of Fall 2013 (thus deferring for a year if accepted)?

Thanks in advance!

You should retake the LSAT if you think you can do better. You can retake in October and still have plenty of time to study.

Its best to apply as early as possible in the cycle. As far as year-to-year it depends. Do you think there will be more or less applicants in fall 2103 or fall 2014? I don't know the answer to that question.

Grazzhoppa wrote:You should retake the LSAT if you think you can do better. You can retake in October and still have plenty of time to study.

Its best to apply as early as possible in the cycle. As far as year-to-year it depends. Do you think there will be more or less applicants in fall 2103 or fall 2014? I don't know the answer to that question.

If you're doing TFA, you're going to be way too fried mentally and emotionally to effectively study for October. You're about to go on a huge whirlwind. I think the earliest you could be ready to retake would be next June, and that's if you get a quick handle on your teaching. October of 2014 is more realistic for a time you would be ready and have a good amount of time to study. There's no rush though, assuming you finish your commitment you would be applying in the fall of '14 for LS anyway.

yeah I've never done TFA so I don't know if its too intense to study.

Whats your goal?

LSN seems to indicate that a 3.6 170 + strong recs/PS + early submission of applications will give me rejects at HYS and CCN (maybe an odd waitlist in there) and a decent shot at MVP and Duke/Gtown/etc (I dunno the acronym for all those schools haha) -- which would be great. Not sure how accurate all of that is.

A 175+ would give me a much better shot at all these schools, so right now I'm leaning towards applying early in the fall of 2014, perhaps taking the June or Oct '14 LSAT. However, part of me just wants to apply early this fall and see how everything works out, but that would potentially waste my recs/$$