Could retaking the LSAT in June get me more money for fall? Forum

[Rory1987]

So I’m considering retaking the LSAT in June, because Vandy has said they’ll take it into consideration when they look over their wait list. If I do significantly better, do you think there is a chance that I could somehow get “money” out of the most likely T30 school that I do “commit” to in April?

Some more info:

I took the Feb. 2009 test and got a 162 (that’s what I honestly expected to get. I was happy, thinking my 3.91 GPA would get me into some decent places. I guess it has since it’s even allowed me to crack the T20, but now I want money and/or better options)

I practiced by taking 14-16 practice tests. That was really all I did; take practice tests. Not much else.

I applied this cycle and I’ve gotten into some nice schools, but I’ve been waitlisted at UVA, UCLA, and a few others.

Anyone know how much I could raise my LSAT in June if I started studying next week?

Any and all advice regarding this matter is much appreciated.

[logicman86]

The answer is yes. I don't know about a particular school, but it would certainly help your argument. A 161 is not a bad score, but if not for your GPA, it wouldn't be good enough for Vandy. Your argument would be stronger if you were even able to break 90th percentile (164).

I am in a similar boat. My LSAT score is higher, but if I could break a 175, I would have a stronger argument for getting close to a full ride from schools like USC, Texas and Florida (I'd rather be debt free in southern cal living in the sun than taking out loans and living in the cold and in debt in a place like Chicago) but that's just me.

If you are already in, I don't know how it will look from their POV cause they accepted you with your application listing a 161. Obviously if you got in with a 161, the same application with a 170 will get you in again, but I don't know if the fact you already applied will play any role in their decision process. Your retaking the LSAT in their eyes will be viewed as an attempt to garner more money, and I don't know how this will be perceived.

Moreover, as somebody who teaches the LSAT, what I will say is this. If you scored a 161 just by practice tests and never invested in a tutor/course, you did kind of cheat yourself here. I am not saying you have to shell out a couple grand, but with a little guidance (particularly on logic games), you can probably score at least 5 points higher. How was your reading comp? I know LSAT does not release the Fall answers, but on practice tests how were you doing there? If you were getting 25/27 there and still only getting a 161, you'd have 175 potential. If vice versa, improving might be more work as reading comp is the hardest section to improve in for most test takers whereas logic games are the easiest.

[Rory1987]

Thanks for your advice!

btw, would I have to inform the school that I "commit" to that I'm retaking the LSAT in June? Or would I have to send them my score after I take it (and what if my score actually doesn't improve?)

[logicman86]

Thanks for your advice!

btw, would I have to inform the school that I "commit" to that I'm retaking the LSAT in June? Or would I have to send them my score after I take it (and what if my score actually doesn't improve?)

That's a great question, and one I don't have the answer to. If they accept you with a 161, and your score then drops to a 151, I would imagine they could have some recourse. However, I don't know if they can see this.

I know an LSAT teacher who got a 176 then retook the test a few years later after he had already started school just for kicks and only got a 162. He didn't get in trouble with his law school. This could possibly be a result of the simple fact how would the law school find out, because why would they be checking your LSAC status a year after they already accepted you?

I would say be honest with yourself. If the 161 is definitely a low end/worst case for you then retake. If not, then why risk it if you are already into your target school. I would ask them, and see if it would make a difference in terms of $.