My LSAT Dilemma (Please help!) Forum

[bagold]

Hey guys,

So here's my deal: I'll be applying for law schools during the Fall 2012 cycle and have yet to take the LSAT. I won't be able to take the LSAT over the summer because I will be abroad. My pre-law advisor has suggested taking it in October and then applying shortly after. However, several of the schools I'm interested in have advised applying as soon as possible after admissions open. For most schools this is between September 1 and mid October. My options are...

1. Take the LSAT this February (in 5 weeks) and sign up for a course and begin prep immediately.

2. Take LSAT in October after prepping/taking a course over the duration of the summer.

Obviously, Option 2 leaves me significantly more time to prepare. However, I'm worried that by taking it for the first time in October I won't be giving myself the best chance to be admitted because I'll be applying late. What do you guys think? Is 5 weeks (with no other responsibilities I should add) too short a time to adequately prepare? Should I give it a shot in February and take it again in October if I'm not satisfied?

Thanks for any and all advice!

Ben

[pdeturk]

Hey guys,

So here's my deal: I'll be applying for law schools during the Fall 2012 cycle and have yet to take the LSAT. I won't be able to take the LSAT over the summer because I will be abroad. My pre-law advisor has suggested taking it in October and then applying shortly after. However, several of the schools I'm interested in have advised applying as soon as possible after admissions open. For most schools this is between September 1 and mid October. My options are...

1. Take the LSAT this February (in 5 weeks) and sign up for a course and begin prep immediately.

2. Take LSAT in October after prepping/taking a course over the duration of the summer.

Obviously, Option 2 leaves me significantly more time to prepare. However, I'm worried that by taking it for the first time in October I won't be giving myself the best chance to be admitted because I'll be applying late. What do you guys think? Is 5 weeks (with no other responsibilities I should add) too short a time to adequately prepare? Should I give it a shot in February and take it again in October if I'm not satisfied?

Thanks for any and all advice!

Ben

Was in a similar position this year (5 weeks out from October or wait a cycle). I tried to prep fast for October and it was a huge mistake. I now have an LSAT on my file I am not happy with and will most likely sit out the cycle now anyway.


Do not rush to take the LSAT. Wait until you are ready

[Ludo!]

5 weeks probably isn't enough time to be ready for February. Take October but just make sure you have everything else in your app ready. LORs, PS, transcripts etc all submitted to LSAC as early as possible. If you submit your apps the day October scores released you won't be at a significant disadvantage.

[danitt]

Hey guys,

So here's my deal: I'll be applying for law schools during the Fall 2012 cycle and have yet to take the LSAT. I won't be able to take the LSAT over the summer because I will be abroad. My pre-law advisor has suggested taking it in October and then applying shortly after. However, several of the schools I'm interested in have advised applying as soon as possible after admissions open. For most schools this is between September 1 and mid October. My options are...

1. Take the LSAT this February (in 5 weeks) and sign up for a course and begin prep immediately.

2. Take LSAT in October after prepping/taking a course over the duration of the summer.

Obviously, Option 2 leaves me significantly more time to prepare. However, I'm worried that by taking it for the first time in October I won't be giving myself the best chance to be admitted because I'll be applying late. What do you guys think? Is 5 weeks (with no other responsibilities I should add) too short a time to adequately prepare? Should I give it a shot in February and take it again in October if I'm not satisfied?

Thanks for any and all advice!

Ben

LSATs are administered internationally. Would you want to take advantage of that and do it in June?

[caminante]

Well, have you looked at anything LSAT related yet? It would be important to know what your starting point is in order to decide whether or not 5 weeks will be enough time to study. If the topics on the LSAT come easily to you, and you have a lot of time to dedicate to studying/practicing in the next 5 weeks, it could be worth a shot.

If it seems like the LSAT is more difficult for you and you think you need more time to study, don't rush it. First of all, you can look into the international administrations (I don't know anything about that). Secondly, if you do wait until October, that is fine too. Just take my advice and prepare your personal statement, resume, letters of recommendation, etc. before you take the October LSAT. If you are ready to submit as soon as October scores come in, you will still be considered very early.

[bagold]

[quote="danitt"
LSATs are administered internationally. Would you want to take advantage of that and do it in June?[/quote]

I've thought of that, but I'll be coming off a packed semester of college and then going on vacation for three weeks. I don't think I'll have enough time in there to prepare. Also, I'll be backpacking so I'm not even sure which country I'll be in come test date.

If applying in early November won't hurt me, I think that may be the best option. I'm not too familiar with the LSATs but based on my SATs I doubt I'm one of those that will get a 170+ with little prep.

[Ludo!]

Have you taken a practice exam yet? I would take one right away so at least you know how much work you have to do.

[caminante]

I've thought of that, but I'll be coming off a packed semester of college and then going on vacation for three weeks. I don't think I'll have enough time in there to prepare. Also, I'll be backpacking so I'm not even sure which country I'll be in come test date.

If applying in early November won't hurt me, I think that may be the best option. I'm not too familiar with the LSATs but based on my SATs I doubt I'm one of those that will get a 170+ with little prep.

Well it looks like you just answered your own question. Take the test in October after spending plenty of time prepping.

[062914123]

.

[rinkrat19]

I've thought of that, but I'll be coming off a packed semester of college and then going on vacation for three weeks. I don't think I'll have enough time in there to prepare. Also, I'll be backpacking so I'm not even sure which country I'll be in come test date.

If applying in early November won't hurt me, I think that may be the best option. I'm not too familiar with the LSATs but based on my SATs I doubt I'm one of those that will get a 170+ with little prep.

Well it looks like you just answered your own question. Take the test in October after spending plenty of time prepping.

This.

+1 If you have everything else in your apps ready to go on Halloween (or thereabouts) when October scores come out, your apps are still quite early. Anything before Thanksgiving is still ok.