"Apply early" -- how late is still "early"? Forum

[cyxdev17]

I know it's important to apply early, but I'm assuming sending in your apps on September 1st probably won't help you since no one's going to read them that day. (I assume).

So when is it still considered "early"? Could taking the October LSAT (I'm considering retaking) and not applying until November hurt my chances at all? I just want to consider all relevant factors since I'm on the border about whether to retake.

[Tautology]

Before Thanksgiving is probably the most important cutoff.

[094320]

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[acadec]

And this is measured by...when your application goes complete?

[cyxdev17]

Solidly Early: Before Halloween
Early: Before Thanksgiving
On Time: Before Christmas
Informally Late: Before the deadline

Better LSAT trumps being Early
Good LSAT + Solid Early trumps simply being Early(but this is not an option for you, so do not sweat losing what minimal impact this will have.)

Makes sense. Thanks!

[Grizz]

This rule is not hard and fast. I retook in Dec. The school I will be attending I applied to in mid January, got in 2 weeks later, and a month later I got over half tuition. T17, at the medians. Applied to another T17 slightly above medians around the same time and got in late (early April I think, still not ideal) with about half tuition.

Still recommend applying early obviously, but it's not worth forgoing a whole cycle just because you retook in December, say.

[JerrySeinfeld]

And this is measured by...when your application goes complete?

I'd like to know the answer to this question as well.

[094320]

..

[capitalacq]

go complete before Dec. 1st and you're early... there's not much of a difference getting it in later in december, but the admissions office is likely closed during christmas break and you might have a longer wait before hearing back

[flyingpanda]

This rule is not hard and fast. I retook in Dec. The school I will be attending I applied to in mid January, got in 2 weeks later, and a month later I got over half tuition. T17, at the medians. Applied to another T17 slightly above medians around the same time and got in late (early April I think, still not ideal) with about half tuition.

Still recommend applying early obviously, but it's not worth forgoing a whole cycle just because you retook in December, say.

Early is much more important for splitters and reverse splitters than for median/median people.