Advice Forum

[michellemarie]

UC Berkeley BSc, 2011: 3.839
Georgetown Msc, 2013: 4.0
LSAT: 163 (the period of time during which I took it was extremely stressful. My Dad lost his job, my Grandma died of an infection she contracted in the hospital, and--b/c of my Grandma's death-- my Grandpa who has Alzheimer's and Parkinson's moved in with my family. Caring for my Grandfather was literally hell on Earth for the two months immediately following my Grandma's death...which was when I took the LSAT.)
I applied anyway, rather late in the cycle, and sent in an addendum.
I have been rejected by Yale and NYU, Waitlisted at GU, and accepted at GW Law with a $30,000 scholarship. I am still waiting to hear back from Columbia and Duke but I am sure it will not be good news.
Should I go to GWU and then transfer?? Or, retake the LSAT and reapply (my Grandpa will be going to a nursing home in May--we just cannot take care of him anymore, it's TOO much-- so I will have time to actually focus on the LSAT)??
Thanks so much for any advice.

[Teoeo]

UC Berkeley BSc, 2011: 3.839
Georgetown Msc, 2013: 4.0
LSAT: 163 (the period of time during which I took it was extremely stressful. My Dad lost his job, my Grandma died of an infection she contracted in the hospital, and--b/c of my Grandma's death-- my Grandpa who has Alzheimer's and Parkinson's moved in with my family. Caring for my Grandfather was literally hell on Earth for the two months immediately following my Grandma's death...which was when I took the LSAT.)
I applied anyway, rather late in the cycle, and sent in an addendum.
I have been rejected by Yale and NYU, Waitlisted at GU, and accepted at GW Law with a $30,000 scholarship. I am still waiting to hear back from Columbia and Duke but I am sure it will not be good news.
Should I go to GWU and then transfer?? Or, retake the LSAT and reapply (my Grandpa will be going to a nursing home in May--we just cannot take care of him anymore, it's TOO much-- so I will have time to actually focus on the LSAT)??
Thanks so much for any advice.

Very unlikely you will do well enough to transfer.

[banjo]

Retake seems like an easy call here.

And yeah, agree with the poster above.

[jbagelboy]

Retake seems like an easy call here.

+1
only call

[Captain Rodeo]

So sorry to hear about that. How wonderful though that your grandfather and family has had you around.

Quick advice: retake.

Longer reason:

In your case, an addendum won't get you where you want. These schools know you're smart, and if you had a 168+ LSAT, I'm sure your addendum would have had more value.

But, it still can.... next cycle. Then, you wouldn't need an addendum because you'll have enough time to rock the LSAT.

It could, however, make for a good personal statement (or part of one).

People on here- all of them- are going to tell you to retake.

Getting a higher score translates into more scholarship money and higher ranking schools (which translates into better jobs).

Studying, then, despite it pushing your timeframe back, can literally translate into thousands upon thousands of dollars. It's a job and makes you money.


Check out the LSAT section of TLS if you haven't. Look at Noodley One's Guide for retakers (he scored a 179) and follow it. It's really great.

Retake. Get a higher score and be thankful next year when you get into a T-14 with a scholarship. Or a few. Or a full ride. Who knows. Just be fair to yourself.

[michellemarie]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate it.
I will retake the LSAT.