Top Law Schools

Hello everyone. I'm a long-time reader, first-time poster.

I have now taken the LSAT 3 times with my highest score being 165. I was fortunate to get accepted to a school in the T15-T17 range, but a part of me still feels disappointed with having not been able to hit my 170 practice average during the test. I am considering asking for permission to take the LSAT a 4th time in June.

I want to start law school this fall. How would retaking the LSAT impact me for this cycle?

I haven't had much luck with the T14 schools. So far I've been rejected to several and waitlisted to UVa and UPenn. Let's say I register to take the June LSAT-what will happen with my application at UVa and Penn over the summer? Will they put my application on hold thus disadvantaging my chances compared to other waitlisted applicants?

By the way, I'm not a URM and my GPA is around a 3.9

you will probably be rejected from virginia right after the first deposit deadline.
Sometime before that deadline, tell UVa you're willing to go binding decision for the June score.
good luck?

ftr, retake is always the credited response

bump. can i get some more answers please?

retake can't hurt if you think you can score higher
i know a guy who got off the waitlist at Harvard by having taken the June test.

a friend of mine here at Tulane retook in June and got his scholarship bumped up. might want to look into that at the schools you have been accepted into.

Would retaking in June hurt me at Penn though? They said they start looking at waitlisted applicants in mid-May.

refusetolose wrote:Would retaking in June hurt me at Penn though? They said they start looking at waitlisted applicants in mid-May.

I think you're pretty much out at Penn as it stands currently.

IMO you will be best served going for the retake, particularly if you can hit close to your 170 average. Even if it doesn't help you this cycle, you can always reapply at the beginning of next cycle with a 3.9 170 and pwn the t14.

That's what I was thinking. An 170 in June would be a game changer.

Regarding Penn, I wrote a really powerful "additional essay" after they waitlisted me. I'm going to send it in tomorrow. However, am I damned no matter what because of my LSAT score or are they holistic?

refusetolose wrote:That's what I was thinking. An 170 in June would be a game changer.

Regarding Penn, I wrote a really powerful "additional essay" after they waitlisted me. I'm going to send it in tomorrow. However, am I damned no matter what because of my LSAT score or are they holistic?

Most, including me will say that they are not holistic.
Some will say they care about more than your numbers.

If you inform them before their final decision that you are re-taking in June, maybe they'll hold off their decision until they can see your June score.

I'm just guessing though and really have no clue. It'll be an interesting experiment worthy of recognition in the archives.

With a name like "refusetolose", I don't see how you can go wrong. Just study like 400 hours between now and then and you will get that 170+ for sure.

If you really want to get into UVA and UPenn have you tried visiting the campuses, talking with the dean and the Adcomms?

A flight or drive might be worth your time.

Gatriel wrote:If you really want to get into UVA and UPenn have you tried visiting the campuses, talking with the dean and the Adcomms?

A flight or drive might be worth your time.

I was going to do that for one or both of those schools this May. I figured they won't be looking at waitlisted applicants until then anyway

Bumping this thread. Would appreciate any additional feedback

Need more info. regarding your future plans & where you want to live & work. I assume that your admission to the top 15-17 equates to Vanderbilt & that you are concerned with the portability of the degree. ( Because most who apply to Texas and UCLA understand their regional placement.)