Top Law Schools

how in the f*** do I explain a 14 point improvement on the LSAT: 142 to 156 w/o sounding like a retard?

Ummm...you worked at it?

Is there an actual explanation -- did you get sick the first time, have a different sort of test-day problem, etc.?

Honestly, I think a 14-point increase kinda speaks for itself, but that's just my 2¢

ec2xs wrote:Ummm...you worked at it?

so it def should be part of my personal statement?

vespertiliovir wrote:Is there an actual explanation -- did you get sick the first time, have a different sort of test-day problem, etc.?

Honestly, I think a 14-point increase kinda speaks for itself, but that's just my 2¢

I agree with this.

I was very irresponsible but have changed a lot

mharrin5507 wrote:

ec2xs wrote:Ummm...you worked at it?

so it def should be part of my personal statement?

absolutely not. put an LSAT addendum.

my degree gpa is 3.67 but my overall is 2.85 - should this be explained also in an addendum? I am out of school and have no adviser.

i think in terms of ur LSAT score, it can be assumed that u worked at it and thus improved. if there's a legit reason u did not do so well the 1st time, write an addendum. don't waste ur precious ps space on that tho.

mharrin5507 wrote:my degree gpa is 3.67 but my overall is 2.85 - should this be explained also in an addendum? I am out of school and have no adviser.

from what ive read, lsac slices and dices ur GPA enough so that adcomms can decipher it any way they wish. However, they want to see how you did in all your classes, not just your major's specific ones. the electives and general ed courses are a part of that as well.

My suggestion: addenda for both.

Your LSAT score increase (while good) is not as uncommon or atypical as your posts suggest (or, say, an increase from a 162 to a 176). However, I would imagine that an addendum wouldn't hurt, if nothing else to reiterate how dedicated and changed a person you are, etc., etc.

As for the GPA, conventional wisdom on this site is going to be to retake the LSAT to get into a "top" law school. However you slice it, a higher LSAT is probably going to be needed.

HTH and good luck.

a 14pt rise in your range probably just means you studied properly this time. delay everything a year, take it one more time in september and see if you can break the 160's or even better!

Thank you, but I have no aspirations of getting into a top school. I'd be thankful to be admitted just about anywhere with my credentials. I appreciate your suggestion that I wait another year, but that's just not really practical for me.

mharrin5507 wrote:my degree gpa is 3.67 but my overall is 2.85 - should this be explained also in an addendum? I am out of school and have no adviser.

Again, do you have a real explanation? If so, then definitely write an addendum. But don't waste your time if your reason is something like "I just started working harder."

mharrin5507 wrote:Thank you, but I have no aspirations of getting into a top school. I'd be thankful to be admitted just about anywhere with my credentials. I appreciate your suggestion that I wait another year, but that's just not really practical for me.

What sort of law do you want to practice.

Desert Fox wrote:

mharrin5507 wrote:Thank you, but I have no aspirations of getting into a top school. I'd be thankful to be admitted just about anywhere with my credentials. I appreciate your suggestion that I wait another year, but that's just not really practical for me.

What sort of law do you want to practice.

I really don't know. It's my understanding that decision can be made after the first year. I suppose constitutional law interest me most...I don't know.

mharrin5507 wrote:

Desert Fox wrote:

mharrin5507 wrote:Thank you, but I have no aspirations of getting into a top school. I'd be thankful to be admitted just about anywhere with my credentials. I appreciate your suggestion that I wait another year, but that's just not really practical for me.

What sort of law do you want to practice.

I really don't know. It's my understanding that decision can be made after the first year. I suppose constitutional law interest me most...I don't know.

Well you need to learn more about the job opportunities low ranked law schools provide. You should learn more before you commit 180K towards a degree that has poor job outlook.

Desert Fox wrote:

mharrin5507 wrote:

Desert Fox wrote:

mharrin5507 wrote:Thank you, but I have no aspirations of getting into a top school. I'd be thankful to be admitted just about anywhere with my credentials. I appreciate your suggestion that I wait another year, but that's just not really practical for me.

What sort of law do you want to practice.

I really don't know. It's my understanding that decision can be made after the first year. I suppose constitutional law interest me most...I don't know.

Well you need to learn more about the job opportunities low ranked law schools provide. You should learn more before you commit 180K towards a degree that has poor job outlook.

Word. Though you may not value my advice there's a reason for it. A 2.85 / 156 is a drag on most 25th percentiles let alone medians. You jumped 14 points...don't stop there if this is truly what you want to do, because right now with your numbers you will end up at a t3 w/ little or no scholarship money. And as the previous poster said...in this economy...and in this legal market...


...not a good idea.

i wouldn't use an addendum.