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I know everyone always says retake, but no chance you would take it again? A substantially higher score can result in t14, or $$$ to the schools you mentioned. Even if you have to wait a year, it would be worth it in the long run. I started with a 164 and hoped to apply last cycle, retook, scored much higher, and am now applying looking at a completely different list of schools (but again, if you really want some of the schools below, you'll get much more $$ than you would have before).

I would take out W&L and W&M - below both medians means certain rejection. Add UC Hastings and UC Irvine.

I'd be open to retaking in December (I PT anywhere from 168-172) but I was under the impression that it would be better to apply now rather than risk getting another 164 (or worse) and applying in January. Waiting until next cycle isn't a real option because my wife and I are both stuck in shit jobs in a shit part of the country and it is starting to take its toll. All I'm really expecting from law school is a decent paying job (~60k a year or so hopefully not too long after graduation) and the ability to feel like I'm doing at least a little bit of good in the world.

wester0 wrote:the ability to feel like I'm doing at least a little bit of good in the world.

wait...i thought you wanted to be an attorney

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wester0 wrote:I'd be open to retaking in December (I PT anywhere from 168-172) but I was under the impression that it would be better to apply now rather than risk getting another 164 (or worse) and applying in January. Waiting until next cycle isn't a real option because my wife and I are both stuck in shit jobs in a shit part of the country and it is starting to take its toll. All I'm really expecting from law school is a decent paying job (~60k a year or so hopefully not too long after graduation) and the ability to feel like I'm doing at least a little bit of good in the world.

Oh I see. I was going to suggest waiting a cycle, though if you must go now, I think a significantly higher score (your PT avgs) would be worth applying in late Dec. A 168, 170 or 172 is significantly better than a 164. You can still apply to those schools now and "reserve" your spot in the queue (though, I've heard schools say this, I dont have much evidence to confirm that they really do this or even what schools say they will). But in any case, I would say retake if your PTs were a full 4-8 points higher. You can still get your apps in (get them in RIGHT when your scores come in or even before) and if you score higher, you'll have infinitely better odds at those schools and maybe some more that are higher ranked. If not, at least some $$ so you dont drown in debt after getting a decent paying job (60k)

Is it fair to assume that you're not applying to Alabama ?

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