When to re-take LSAT? Forum

[platonicignorance]

alright, here's my situation:

3.6 UGPA (horrible sophomore year, 4.0 the last two years)
169 LSAT
average softs/LOR's
graduating next month, planning to apply during the 2010-11 cycle.

i took my first lsat while sick and scored a bit below my average; i feel confident that if i retook in june, i'd score in the low 170's (171-3). i also think that if i took time to seriously prepare again i'd probably be ~176 (based off of what i was scoring before i took the lsat the first time). assume for a moment that my estimates are correct...is taking the test in june, which will allow me to apply on the first day of the 2010-11 admissions cycle, worth sacrificing 2-4 points on the LSAT? or would it be better just to prep all-out for october and apply as soon as i get my score back?

i'm planning on applying to H, S, CCN, M, P, and Cornell. ideally, i'd get into a T5 straight up or a T10 w/scholly money. what do you guys think? (note: i realize that my gpa puts me at a long shot for a couple of these schools...reaches!).

thanks in advance for any advice y'all can offer!

[Barouche]

Take the LSAT in October if you think it'll get you a higher score. Being complete in September is not that much greater than being complete in November, but a 175+ LSAT does lots for you. I was in almost the exact same situation as you...a higher GPA, but no upward trend. I retook and got a 177, went complete at the beginning of November, and got pretty decent scholarship money at T10 schools.

[Rory1987]

You got wait listed at MVP with a 177 LSAT!?!? What the hell was your GPA?

[$1.99]

MVP probably yield protected him, 175+ will let you take CCN, but even with a 177+ you are out at H and Y.

I would retake this October after solid preparations and then have December as a back up. Taking it in December won't really hurt your chances that much anyways.

[Barouche]

3.71