Top Law Schools

Hello!

AA Male, moderate/strong softs, 3.75+ GPA. I've studied throughout the summer but didn't break the 160s (was PTing in mid 160s). I'm aiming for T10, but I'm wondering whether applying in January will be too late to really receive consideration for those schools that send out most of their results by January. Any success stories with those who apply late? Should I just wait until next cycle?

Ardent. wrote:Hello!

AA Male, moderate/strong softs, 3.75+ GPA. I've studied throughout the summer but didn't break the 160s (was PTing in mid 160s). I'm aiming for T10, but I'm wondering whether applying in January will be too late to really receive consideration for those schools that send out most of their results by January. Any success stories with those who apply late? Should I just wait until next cycle?

Maybe someone can better answer this but I don't believe January is too late to apply to a T10 law school; however, I suspect that getting in may be a bit tougher than if you had applied in October/November.

Best wishes on your admissions cycle.

imacpa wrote:

Ardent. wrote:Hello!

AA Male, moderate/strong softs, 3.75+ GPA. I've studied throughout the summer but didn't break the 160s (was PTing in mid 160s). I'm aiming for T10, but I'm wondering whether applying in January will be too late to really receive consideration for those schools that send out most of their results by January. Any success stories with those who apply late? Should I just wait until next cycle?

Maybe someone can better answer this but I don't believe January is too late to apply to a T10 law school; however, I suspect that getting in may be a bit tougher than if you had applied in October/November.

Best wishes on your admissions cycle.

I'm going to go ahead and speak into existence that you're going to test in the mid-160s on your retake--good luck . Being AA/Male 3.75+ and mid-160s is rare enough in the applicant pool that you will not be unduly punished for applying in January. I was in a similar situation a couple of years ago (I'm basically your twin) and I got plenty of great acceptances. IMHO, the bad idea would be applying now with a sub 160 LSAT, but you avoided that mistake.

You will def be considered if you apply in January and will prob get in most places (but not all) you would have if you had applied in fall. With your GPA, if you get a mid/upper 160s you will prob get T14 awesomeness. The real issue is money. You will have less scholarship offers applying in January and less leveraging power to negotiate with the schools you really want to go to.

If you have a good job, you should really consider waiting for the next cycle. On paper, waiting is the "smart" thing to do to optimize your chances. Particularly if you're flexible on which school you attend, waiting could save you a sh*t ton of money. But life is short and having to wait another year for something you want to do is crappy. I have friends who applied in January and got into good schools. You might apply and get into your dream school. But they ay not offer you any money. If I were you, I'd get all my ducks in a row, then decide when you get your score. Either way is defensible.

I think you'll be fine. My app wasn't complete until January and I applied with worth stats. Got a half scholly to Cornell for what its worth.

If you decide to retake in December and apply in January, I would advise you to have all the other parts of your application complete by the time the scores are available so you can drop your apps on the same day.

Keep in mind that some T14 schools need dean certifications from prior schools and that can take time, so you need to request them now. For example I was on academic warning during undergrad and I had to get a statement from a school that I had attended over 20 years prior.

With your GPA I doubt you have any of those type issues but I am just offering that as an example of things that can hold up the app process. It would be wise to view the app requirements for each school you are interested in.

Also, depending on your circumstances and where you want to practice, and your debt tolerance you may favor more scholarship money over a higher ranked school. I think if you get over 160 you will get into some T14 school, but the scholarship money is a key factor. AA Male with 3.75 is rare. Make the most of it. Let me know if you have additional questions.

Not sure if you're still looking for answers, but here's my .02:

January app is just fine. A couple of years ago, things were different. With the reduced applicant pool, you'll be g2g as long as you score high. 165 and you'll likely grab Harvard.

LSATneurotic wrote:Not sure if you're still looking for answers, but here's my .02:

January app is just fine. A couple of years ago, things were different. With the reduced applicant pool, you'll be g2g as long as you score high. 165 and you'll likely grab Harvard.

Agreed. If you don't get the cycle you want with a January app, submit first thing next September and be golden