. Forum

[Champion]

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[bk1]

http://www.lawschoolnumbers.com for chances. And you should definitely retake since you have only time to lose and more money/better acceptances to gain.

[Champion]

Thanks for the advice! Keep it coming guys, any and all help is greatly appreciated!

[buckilaw]

Honestly, your cycle will be fairly unpredictable. You have the strongest URM bump possible (AA male), a solid GPA, and it seems like your life experiences - "drug dealer brother" - should allow you to write a compelling application. 154 is just a tad low, if you could break into the 160s I would bet money that you land at least 1 T14 with some $$. Retake, good luck, and enjoy a great cycle.

If you do break 160 blanket the T14, including HYS.

[dkt4]

i'd say hold off on applying until you can break a 160. make sure that you're PTing above that and then take the test again, you'll see a huge bump in the schools you'll get into a money you'll receive.

[Champion]

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[buckilaw]

If you break 160 you should not settle for anything less than a "top 20" with money. If I were you I wouldn't bother applying to most of the schools you have waivers for.

[Quan292]

Good luck with your retake and breaking that 160. I'm in the same boat as you with retaking this oct lsat. Look forward to seeing how your cycle turns out.

[Alltheirsplendor]

Retake. Don't let that solid GPA go to waste. Achieving a 160 isn't very difficult, and it will be all the more worth it when you're accepted to great schools. Of course if you get a 165+, your whole world might change...

Edit: Oh, and don't forget about that HBCU bump. It's real. I've definitely seen it.

[dkt4]

@dk14 do schools start reviewing your apps and make a decision before the Oct LSAT scores come out for someone in my case? Because I planned on having apps submitted, and having my scores sent to them as soon as they come out, which they would get anyways since it would be an update to my submitted app.

you're always allowed to submit your apps before the Oct LSAT scores come out, but in all honesty most schools don't seriously start looking at applications until November anyway for the most part. As long as you have everything complete by December you won't be disadvantaged. They hand out a couple acceptances before then, but not many -- and not nearly enough to fill a class or eat through the scholarship money they have. I applied stupid late (basically at the end of the deadline) and still had a good cycle, though I suppose if I had applied earlier I could've gotten more scholly money /shrug.

you don't have to worry about waiting. also, regarding the HBCU bump...it's most pronounced for Howard/Morehouse/Spelman from my understanding...and it's really only a small bump, kinda like going to a top 10 UG.

good luck

[Alltheirsplendor]

@dk14 do schools start reviewing your apps and make a decision before the Oct LSAT scores come out for someone in my case? Because I planned on having apps submitted, and having my scores sent to them as soon as they come out, which they would get anyways since it would be an update to my submitted app.

you're always allowed to submit your apps before the Oct LSAT scores come out, but in all honesty most schools don't seriously start looking at applications until November anyway for the most part. As long as you have everything complete by December you won't be disadvantaged. They hand out a couple acceptances before then, but not many -- and not nearly enough to fill a class or eat through the scholarship money they have. I applied stupid late (basically at the end of the deadline) and still had a good cycle, though I suppose if I had applied earlier I could've gotten more scholly money /shrug.

you don't have to worry about waiting. also, regarding the HBCU bump...it's most pronounced for Howard/Morehouse/Spelman from my understanding...and it's really only a small bump, kinda like going to a top 10 UG.

good luck

Yeah, I forgot to mention that.

[Champion]

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[sparty99]

Hey, bro! I got a near full ride scholarship at a Top 35 with a 146 LSAT!

If you get a 160, I would kick your shoes off and watch the money flow to you.....Apply to all the top 35 schools. You should get substantial scholarships. If you get a 165, you are most definitely looking at a top 5 program.

[Champion]

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[rgndvo]

154 is low. Study up. Borrow money and take a prep course from Blueprint. If you hit 160-162, you'll be into Georgetown and Cornell as an AA male with a solid GPA. Mid 160's= Columbia with a stab at HYS. But right now, you are going to go to a mediocre LS. Invest in prep: It'll be life-changing!

[Champion]

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[chacheezy]

Are you a Sidley Prelaw Scholar? I think we are in the same boat if you are. I am retaking a 152.

[Champion]

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[billyez]

The difference between an AA male having a 160 and not can be huge. The T20 weren't touching me before I broke that barrier, and once I did, things changed rather quickly. Trust me when I say a retake is worth it; if not for the (almost) guaranteed shot at the T14, for the money you would get at lower schools.

[Wade LeBosh]

Retake bro!

[Champion]

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[livelovelaugh49]

Hey, bro! I got a near full ride scholarship at a Top 35 with a 146 LSAT!

If you get a 160, I would kick your shoes off and watch the money flow to you.....Apply to all the top 35 schools. You should get substantial scholarships. If you get a 165, you are most definitely looking at a top 5 program.

Hey I wrote you a message hoping to learn a little bit more about your situation and what schools your applied to... I'm hoping for some pointers or advice. Hope to hear from you soon!

[Champion]

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[buckilaw]

Got a 159 on my retake. Any updates on my options now? Thanks for the help.

Hard to predict how your cycle will go. Look for other URMs on LSN with similar stats and assume that you will compare favorably with their results. Apply broadly or ED to your favorite reach - solid GPA, URM bump, + ED might net you a very positive result. Might think about MVP or maybe even CCN for an ED, you should do some research though.

Although, if you think you could do better than a 159 you could always retake for a third time.

[Champion]

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