$25K / yr at BC or Retake? Forum

[dkb17xzx]

Hey all,

I recently received a 25K/yr scholly at BC. I got 166 on the October 2010 test and I am just beginning to study for the June test again. I took the test in less than ideal circumstances, and do believe that I can hit 170 (I am already aware of the statistics concerning retake score increases / decreases). So my question: should I go or should I strive for a retake?


Some factors to consider:
- The COA at BC is 60K and even with the scholarship I'd end up in ~90K-100K loans after college.
- I have undergrad loans and am debt averse
- My ultimate goal is biglaw.

I really appreciate the input. Thank you.

[izy223]

I would retake the test. I also took the test under less then ideal conditions got a 162 and then a 176 although the orignal score did hurt me with HYS i did get admitted to NYU and a scholarship to georgetown. My chances at biglaw are now real.

[dkb17xzx]

Thanks izy...I appreciate the response. I think it's easy to get clouded by the scholarship, and it's good to get the opinions of others.

[chiwachiwa]

What is your GPA? Where do you want to work after graduation? Where else have you applied, and with what result?

[dkb17xzx]

What is your GPA? Where do you want to work after graduation? Where else have you applied, and with what result?

GPA - b/w 3.65 and 3.75
Location after work - NYC/Texas/New England
Where else - Texas (Waitlisted), BU (waitlisted), ND (15/yr), waiting on Washington U and Indiana

[StarLightSpectre]

Put down a seat deposit as a back up plan and retake in June!

[chiwachiwa]

What is your GPA? Where do you want to work after graduation? Where else have you applied, and with what result?

GPA - b/w 3.65 and 3.75
Location after work - NYC/Texas/New England
Where else - Texas (Waitlisted), BU (waitlisted), ND (15/yr), waiting on Washington U and Indiana

In this situation the difference between 3.65 and 3.75 is significant. If you can get to 170+ and have a 3.75 you should have a chance at a significantly better school than BC. If it's more like 3.65 and you get a 170 you might be looking at full freight at lower T14, which I'm not sure is worth it if you're debt averse.

Either way I like the advise of putting down a deposit and retaking in June. If you do better, wait until next year, if not, go ahead to BC.

[blurbz]

Put down a seat deposit as a back up plan and retake in June!

Yep.

[bk1]

If your ultimate goal is biglaw then retake. While I generally agree with the "deposit and retake in June" idea, I think that if you truly want biglaw and don't get a 170+ in June you should retake a 3rd time.

[TLS_noobie]

If your ultimate goal is biglaw then retake. While I generally agree with the "deposit and retake in June" idea, I think that if you truly want biglaw and don't get a 170+ in June you should retake a 3rd time.

I am in a similar situation, however, I have already retaken (160, 167). I am looking at BU and BC as my prime prospects right now but I feel that it is very possible I can do better on the LSAT (I was PTing 170-174 the two weeks before the test but just didn't perform as I had hoped I would on the real deal). Would retaking a third time look terrible? And, if I were to put down a seat deposit, retake, and then get a poopy score can the school reject me (despite having placed a seat deposit already)? I am aiming for BigLaw (or any market paying gig really, not sure what qualifies as BigLaw but if it pays me enough I don't care what rank the firm is in vault or nlj) in any relatively large market (Boston, NYC, DC, LA, SF, etc.) and I specifically want to practice corporate law/M&A. BU/BC offer some good prospects for BigLaw in comparison to others outside of the t14, but they can't touch some of the better t10s, especially ITE.

p.s. I don't mean to hijack the thread, just thought my situation was semi-relevant.

[bk1]

Would retaking a third time look terrible? And, if I were to put down a seat deposit, retake, and then get a poopy score can the school reject me (despite having placed a seat deposit already)?

Retaking a 3rd time would not look terrible, especially if you improved. And a school isn't going to revoke your acceptance if you get a shitty score.

[dkb17xzx]

Hey all,

Thanks for the responses. After thinking about it and talking to a couple of friends who attend T-14's and are looking at Big Law, I have decided to go ahead with a retake. While putting down a seat deposit would be a good idea, I would be doing that knowing that I'll lose $500. I'm just gonna retake in June and see what happens.

TLS_noobie, I would suggest a retake. However you are better off starting a thread asking all individuals who took the LSAT 3 times to post their successes and failures during the cycle. I think that will give you a better idea of how adcoms will gauge you.

HTH.