Are early admissions medians lower than the "real" medians? Forum

[hellojd]

So I'm taking a break from my LSAT prep to venture into this forum, but in theory wouldn't this be true?

Since generally speaking, a school expects later applicants (post new years) to have higher numbers to get in, wouldn't those high numbered applicants be pulling up the overall median that is reported? And consequently, wouldn't that mean that the reported median is higher than the median for early applicants (september, oct).

So it would look like:

Early applicant medians < reported medians < late applicant medians

[AngryAvocado]

So I'm taking a break from my LSAT prep to venture into this forum, but in theory wouldn't this be true?

Since generally speaking, a school expects later applicants (post new years) to have higher numbers to get in, wouldn't those high numbered applicants be pulling up the overall median that is reported? And consequently, wouldn't that mean that the reported median is higher than the median for early applicants (september, oct).

So it would look like:

Early applicant medians < reported medians < late applicant medians

I think you're thinking a little too much into this. I really don't think the medians are any lower at the beginning than at the end, I just think schools have fewer seats to fill by that point so it's generally tougher to get in. I'm also not really sure why schools would "expect" later applicants would have better numbers, particularly since a good portion of extremely qualified people tend to have their applications good to go very early on.

[charlesjd]

So I'm taking a break from my LSAT prep to venture into this forum, but in theory wouldn't this be true?

Since generally speaking, a school expects later applicants (post new years) to have higher numbers to get in, wouldn't those high numbered applicants be pulling up the overall median that is reported? And consequently, wouldn't that mean that the reported median is higher than the median for early applicants (september, oct).

So it would look like:

Early applicant medians < reported medians < late applicant medians

I think you're thinking a little too much into this. I really don't think the medians are any lower at the beginning than at the end, I just think schools have fewer seats to fill by that point so it's generally tougher to get in. I'm also not really sure why schools would "expect" later applicants would have better numbers, particularly since a good portion of extremely qualified people tend to have their applications good to go very early on.

Honestly, I think it depends on the school too. Some schools are anal about early applications and it will boost your chances. Others I have noticed, will give interviews out and other stuff if you apply mid way in december or jan. Moreover, a lot of schools are actually holistic. If you have numbers within the range with at least one of the two above median and a good PS, you can get WL'ed then accepted later on.

There is no rule. Have as solid of a app as possible and apply to reasonable schools.