Take a Year Off to Study for the LSAT or Get Started? Forum

[MrStyles]

Long story short, I am an AA male and finished blanketing the entire T-14 this cycle in mid-November.

I carry a 3.92 GPA at a non-HYP Ivy League school but had a poor LSAT score (150<160 - extreme reverse splitter) after much studying. I have great softs and a great story and thus have been fortunate enough to receive admission at Berkley, Cornell, and some sub-T-14 schools (Vanderbilt and Boston College). I have, however, been rejected at NYU and wait listed at Penn.

Although my cycle is not over, I am fearful that I will be wait listed or rejected by the other T-14 schools and given my strong GPA, am reluctant to accept at the schools I have been admitted to because I believe that if I took a year off and applied again after doing better on the LSAT, I could have a shot at HYSCC and perhaps some scholarship money.

Should I wait it out or stick it through? What do you all think?

[cc78]

With a 3.92 from an Ivy, you really should be going to law school to a T-14 for free OR going to YHS. There's simply no other acceptable option. So, definitely take the year and do whatever you can to at least get yourself into the 165 range (which will get you H at the very least). Did you only take the test once? Plan to take it two more times in the coming year with enough time spaced between to give you an opportunity to study. I don't reflexively go to the "retake" button, but on this one, it's without question the right move.

[MrStyles]

I did take it twice (once in Sep. and again in Dec.) I should have mentioned that I am reluctant to wait a year because I already waited two years after high school before going to undergrad - a lot of time off.

[cc78]

My friend, law school in general, and especially the law schools you're going to attend, are not going anywhere. Take the time, do yourself a favor and wait until you have your best LSAT. Now, if you take it this third time and you still can't get above 160, then just start a new cycle and take your best option from that.

But think, literally, every point you can get translates to real money. Why pay Cornell when you could go for free?

[cc78]

I'll also add that AA males with 3.92 from Ivy League schools just don't come along very often. Know your value, and play the game at your pace, not theirs.

[Nomo]

I'll also add that AA males with 3.92 from Ivy League schools just don't come along very often. Know your value, and play the game at your pace, not theirs.

Agreed! No reason to rush. There's nothing wrong with entering law school in your late 20's if that's what it takes. Plenty of people do. Plus, taking time off and working might give you a better idea of what kind of practice you'll eventually want to have. There is no downside to taking more time off and studying harder. If you think you can raise your LSAT score you should absolutely retake - no matter what happens with the rest of your cycle.

[MrStyles]

Thank you both for the reassurance and advice. I am going to wait the cycle out and make a decision thereafter. Even if I am looking at some pretty great schools, I may take the time to study for the next cycle.

[Atmosphere]

Wait it out ----> Profit Heavily.

165+ and you've go the world in your hands.

[BlakcMajikc]

Not sure how you studied, but whatever your method was, it obviously didn't work. Consider studying a completely different way (for example take a class or get a tutor if you previously did self-study). Hmu via PM if you need any tips. More or less it should be HYS or bust.

[WeeBey]

Unless Berk and Cornell gave you full rides, wait out bro.