Hypothetical Forum

[FiveSermon]

I haven't heard from one of the schools here but other than that it seems like a reasonable estimate of what my choices will be.

168/3.8 are my numbers btw.

[FuManChusco]

What do you think you could get on a retake? Those don't seem like great options for your stats.

[jonas]

After law school, what do you hope to do, and where do you hope to do it?

[FiveSermon]

What do you think you could get on a retake? Those don't seem like great options for your stats.

Um I've come to realize that the LSAT is an unpredictable beast...My practice tests have ranged from 167 to a 175. I know I didn't perform up to my potential on my LSAT just because I bombed an entire LR section (-9) but I'm not confident I could do so much better on a retake because I realize if I mess up just one logic game then I pretty much bomb that section also.

Also I hope to work in NY since it's my hometown. NYC biglaw would probably be my #1 choice.

[src42]

I voted retake since you were PTing up to 175.

Why do you assume your work experience won't be meaningful?

[FiveSermon]

I voted retake since you were PTing up to 175.

Why do you assume your work experience won't be meaningful?

Just a safe assumption. My job prospects aren't looking to great as of now.

[FuManChusco]

What do you think you could get on a retake? Those don't seem like great options for your stats.

Um I've come to realize that the LSAT is an unpredictable beast...My practice tests have ranged from 167 to a 175. I know I didn't perform up to my potential on my LSAT just because I bombed an entire LR section (-9) but I'm not confident I could do so much better on a retake because I realize if I mess up just one logic game then I pretty much bomb that section also.

Also I hope to work in NY since it's my hometown. NYC biglaw would probably be my #1 choice.

Cornell wouldn't be a bad option for you then. I think CLS, NYU and Penn would be better and are within striking distance if you can up that to a 170 or a 172. With your goals in mind, I would probably wait a year and retake.

[FiveSermon]

What do you think you could get on a retake? Those don't seem like great options for your stats.

Um I've come to realize that the LSAT is an unpredictable beast...My practice tests have ranged from 167 to a 175. I know I didn't perform up to my potential on my LSAT just because I bombed an entire LR section (-9) but I'm not confident I could do so much better on a retake because I realize if I mess up just one logic game then I pretty much bomb that section also.

Also I hope to work in NY since it's my hometown. NYC biglaw would probably be my #1 choice.

Cornell wouldn't be a bad option for you then. I think CLS, NYU and Penn would be better and are within striking distance if you can up that to a 170 or a 172. With your goals in mind, I would probably wait a year and retake.

Penn seems realistic but I'm not totally convinced it's that much better than Cornell in terms of NYC placement. CLS or NYU would be amazing but I hear NYU averages and CLS looks at more than numbers (which is bad for me).

[CanadianWolf]

Take the large scholarship at GWU.

[FiveSermon]

Take the large scholarship at GWU.

If it's any kind of news I haven't negotiated $ yet so maybe I could wring a few more $ out of BU/Fordham with the GWU $$.

Also it seems like the majority is leaning towards retake at this point...

[lolschool2011]

I haven't heard from one of the schools here but other than that it seems like a reasonable estimate of what my choices will be.

168/3.8 are my numbers btw.

In this scenario, I'd alway suggest a retake. You have a YHS GPA, and this might be uncredited, but in my opinion, anyone capable of a 168, should (with more preparation) be able to crack into the 170s.

It would be worth it to your career to take a year and do whatever it takes to get a 175+.

[NoleinNY]

Retake or BU (or Texas, if you are in-state).

[FiveSermon]

Retake or BU (or Texas, if you are in-state).

out of state.

Also I'm just not sure if enough practice can get me to a 175+. I'm also not sure how law schools view an entire year of non meaningful work experience if my LSAT score doesn't dramatically improve.

[src42]

Retake or BU (or Texas, if you are in-state).

out of state.

Also I'm just not sure if enough practice can get me to a 175+. I'm also not sure how law schools view an entire year of non meaningful work experience if my LSAT score doesn't dramatically improve.

You're too pessimistic.

[FiveSermon]

Retake or BU (or Texas, if you are in-state).

out of state.

Also I'm just not sure if enough practice can get me to a 175+. I'm also not sure how law schools view an entire year of non meaningful work experience if my LSAT score doesn't dramatically improve.

You're too pessimistic.

Or realistic

[JamMasterJ]

Take the large scholarship at GWU.

If it's any kind of news I haven't negotiated $ yet so maybe I could wring a few more $ out of BU/Fordham with the GWU $$.

Also it seems like the majority is leaning towards retake at this point...

From what I hear, getting more $ from Fordham is unlikely

[2things2]

Pay the fees at Cornell and take the LSAT in June -- if you get a 175, pull out of Cornell and reapply to schools in the fall. If you blow it, just go to Cornell. Many people would love to have your dilemma. Either way I think you're going to make it out alive.

[BlueDiamond]

take a year off

withdraw at all those schools i want to get into them

[FiveSermon]

take a year off

withdraw at all those schools i want to get into them

...

[beachbum]

I haven't heard from one of the schools here but other than that it seems like a reasonable estimate of what my choices will be.

168/3.8 are my numbers btw.

In this scenario, I'd alway suggest a retake. You have a YHS GPA, and this might be uncredited, but in my opinion, anyone capable of a 168, should (with more preparation) be able to crack into the 170s.

It would be worth it to your career to take a year and do whatever it takes to get a 175+.

+1

[FiveSermon]

I haven't heard from one of the schools here but other than that it seems like a reasonable estimate of what my choices will be.

168/3.8 are my numbers btw.

In this scenario, I'd alway suggest a retake. You have a YHS GPA, and this might be uncredited, but in my opinion, anyone capable of a 168, should (with more preparation) be able to crack into the 170s.

It would be worth it to your career to take a year and do whatever it takes to get a 175+.

+1

Doesn't H average? I ruled that out a long time. Yale is too crazy and Stanford hates clean resumes like mine!

But your advice is tempting...I should note I didn't consistently score 175+ but I did peak there a few times...

[beachbum]

I haven't heard from one of the schools here but other than that it seems like a reasonable estimate of what my choices will be.

168/3.8 are my numbers btw.

In this scenario, I'd alway suggest a retake. You have a YHS GPA, and this might be uncredited, but in my opinion, anyone capable of a 168, should (with more preparation) be able to crack into the 170s.

It would be worth it to your career to take a year and do whatever it takes to get a 175+.

+1

Doesn't H average? I ruled that out a long time. Yale is too crazy and Stanford hates clean resumes like mine!

But your advice is tempting...I should note I didn't consistently score 175+ but I did peak there a few times...

Eh, your (self-described) lackluster softs combined with the slim probability of actually hitting 175+ probably means HYS are out. But if you're able to raise that score by just a few points (and you add to your resume during your off-year), you could conceivably get money at MVPDNC, and, depending on how high your new score is, you could be looking at acceptances in the CCN range.

FWIW, I'm one of those wacky TLS posters who thinks Cornell at sticker isn't a terrible idea for many (most?) people. But when you're looking at substantially better options (in terms of school selection and scholarships) by applying next year with a higher LSAT, the choice is clear.

If you really don't want to sit out a year, though, you could split the difference (as another poster mentioned) by reserving a seat at Cornell and taking the June LSAT, then choosing your strategy based on your new score.

[applepiecrust]

Eh, your (self-described) lackluster softs combined with the slim probability of actually hitting 175+ probably means HYS are out. But if you're able to raise that score by just a few points (and you add to your resume during your off-year), you could conceivably get money at MVPDNC, and, depending on how high your new score is, you could be looking at acceptances in the CCN range.

FWIW, I'm one of those wacky TLS posters who thinks Cornell at sticker isn't a terrible idea for many (most?) people. But when you're looking at substantially better options (in terms of school selection and scholarships) by applying next year with a higher LSAT, the choice is clear.

If you really don't want to sit out a year, though, you could split the difference (as another poster mentioned) by reserving a seat at Cornell and taking the June LSAT, then choosing your strategy based on your new score.

I think all of this is TCR. Did you get shut out of MVBP this year though?

[FiveSermon]

Eh, your (self-described) lackluster softs combined with the slim probability of actually hitting 175+ probably means HYS are out. But if you're able to raise that score by just a few points (and you add to your resume during your off-year), you could conceivably get money at MVPDNC, and, depending on how high your new score is, you could be looking at acceptances in the CCN range.

FWIW, I'm one of those wacky TLS posters who thinks Cornell at sticker isn't a terrible idea for many (most?) people. But when you're looking at substantially better options (in terms of school selection and scholarships) by applying next year with a higher LSAT, the choice is clear.

If you really don't want to sit out a year, though, you could split the difference (as another poster mentioned) by reserving a seat at Cornell and taking the June LSAT, then choosing your strategy based on your new score.

I think all of this is TCR. Did you get shut out of MVBP this year though?

No I didn't apply. Lol.

[sarahlawg]

You're too pessimistic.

+1

voted for cornell with that retake option. that's a great idea (if you can drop the $500 or whatever without it being a big deal).