Applying as early as possible in the cycle vs. October LSAT Forum

[incase2011]

If I took more time to study, I might do a little bit better. Obviously a better LSAT beats an earlier application, but I'm curious how much of a difference applying Sept. 30 makes from Nov. 15, let's say.

[glitched]

If I took more time to study, I might do a little bit better. Obviously a better LSAT beats an earlier application, but I'm curious how much of a difference applying Sept. 30 makes from Nov. 15, let's say.

it doesn't matter that much in being accepted. but it could matter in the amount of money you get. i would say that for being accepted, it might not even matter until Christmas.





except for berkeley. apply day one for berkeley.

[D-ROCCA]

If you think you can squeeze out a one point improvement, then take it in October. The bump that people say exists for early apps is sometimes overrated here. It helps, but not as much as one point on the LSAT.

[BrianGriffintheDog]

You'll hear a lot later that's for sure. If you intend on applying after October LSAT, don't expect them to hear from them before the end of the year unless your stats are well above the median.

[incase2011]

What about the scholarship point? That's a big consideration for me.. I'm gunning for UIUC and WUSTL as I'm a decent-sized splitter, hoping to increase the gap haha.

[incase2011]

Any new thoughts?

[sonervous88]

you mentioned you are an extreme splitter. better LSAT than GPA correct?

[incase2011]

Ya, higher LSAT lower GPA - going for scholarships at LSAT friendly schools.

[northwood]

send in the application- but let them know you are going to take the october lsat. most schools wont look at the applications until they have all lsat scores. however applying right after the october test is still very early. some schools dont start reviewing them until december. as a splitter every point matters

[sonervous88]

send in the application- but let them know you are going to take the october lsat. most schools wont look at the applications until they have all lsat scores. however applying right after the october test is still very early. some schools dont start reviewing them until december. as a splitter every point matters

+1

[Trequartista]

What is the earliest that schools start to look at applications?

[incase2011]

I feel like I've seen Sept. 30th applications, probably depends on the school.

[glitched]

What is the earliest that schools start to look at applications?

this should be irrelevant to your interests. what should be relevant is when the schools YOU will apply to start looking at applications. Google it.

[NiccoloA]

send in the application- but let them know you are going to take the october lsat. most schools wont look at the applications until they have all lsat scores. however applying right after the october test is still very early. some schools dont start reviewing them until december. as a splitter every point matters

I'm confused about this.

So it's ok to send in an application without having taken the LSAT if you communicate to the schools you are applying for that you are registered to take the LSAT?

I'm taking the LSAT in October, should I start sending in applications September 15th? How do I communicate to them that I will be taking the exam?


Thanks

[LeDique]

send in the application- but let them know you are going to take the october lsat. most schools wont look at the applications until they have all lsat scores. however applying right after the october test is still very early. some schools dont start reviewing them until december. as a splitter every point matters

I'm confused about this.

So it's ok to send in an application without having taken the LSAT if you communicate to the schools you are applying for that you are registered to take the LSAT?

I'm taking the LSAT in October, should I start sending in applications September 15th? How do I communicate to them that I will be taking the exam?


Thanks

It's on the application. You can do this if you want. It doesn't give you any real advantage though because they have to wait for your LSAT score still.

[dukey]

If I took more time to study, I might do a little bit better. Obviously a better LSAT beats an earlier application, but I'm curious how much of a difference applying Sept. 30 makes from Nov. 15, let's say.

except for berkeley. apply day one for berkeley.

Doesn't matter except for berkeley.

[duckmoney]

If you have your app in on the same day (or before) your LSAT score comes back, you will still be very early in the cycle. Except at Berkeley. This means that you will receive first-round consideration for admission and scholarships.

[bhan87]

Better LSAT >>>>>>>>> Applying early.

Fwiw, I applied to Berkeley on a DECEMBER LSAT and was admitted. The only school I was hurt at due to a late app was UChicago (which over-accepted in the first two rounds of apps this cycle apparently)

[dukey]

Fwiw, I applied to Berkeley on a DECEMBER LSAT and was admitted.

OP, do not listen to this.

http://www.top-law-schools.com/berring-interview.html
Interview with Dean Berring (former dean):
TLS: Can you please offer any general advice to law school applicants?
Dean Berring: Get your damn application in early!

http://www.top-law-schools.com/tom-interview.html
Interview with Dean Tom (current dean):
TLS: Excellent. And then, the concluding question: any additional advice that you’d like to offer applicants when they apply for the next academic year?
Dean Tom: “Yes. You must apply early. Even though we don’t have an early decision program, the early bird does catch the worm here.


--> No law school stresses applying early like Berkeley's does. So yes, apply early. And even if you choose to take the Oct LSAT, your score will still get to them likely before your admission decision comes out.

[bhan87]

Fwiw, I applied to Berkeley on a DECEMBER LSAT and was admitted.

OP, do not listen to this.

http://www.top-law-schools.com/berring-interview.html
Interview with Dean Berring (former dean):
TLS: Can you please offer any general advice to law school applicants?
Dean Berring: Get your damn application in early!

http://www.top-law-schools.com/tom-interview.html
Interview with Dean Tom (current dean):
TLS: Excellent. And then, the concluding question: any additional advice that you’d like to offer applicants when they apply for the next academic year?
Dean Tom: “Yes. You must apply early. Even though we don’t have an early decision program, the early bird does catch the worm here.


--> No law school stresses applying early like Berkeley's does. So yes, apply early. And even if you choose to take the Oct LSAT, your score will still get to them likely before your admission decision comes out.

I don't ever recommend applying later than you should in my post man

However, I firmly believe taking a later LSAT to get a better score is highly preferable to applying early for applying early's sake. December is the latest, but October or before is preferable.

[ahduth]

Fwiw, I applied to Berkeley on a DECEMBER LSAT and was admitted.

OP, do not listen to this.

http://www.top-law-schools.com/berring-interview.html
Interview with Dean Berring (former dean):
TLS: Can you please offer any general advice to law school applicants?
Dean Berring: Get your damn application in early!

http://www.top-law-schools.com/tom-interview.html
Interview with Dean Tom (current dean):
TLS: Excellent. And then, the concluding question: any additional advice that you’d like to offer applicants when they apply for the next academic year?
Dean Tom: “Yes. You must apply early. Even though we don’t have an early decision program, the early bird does catch the worm here.


--> No law school stresses applying early like Berkeley's does. So yes, apply early. And even if you choose to take the Oct LSAT, your score will still get to them likely before your admission decision comes out.

I don't ever recommend applying later than you should in my post man

However, I firmly believe taking a later LSAT to get a better score is highly preferable to applying early for applying early's sake. December is the latest, but October or before is preferable.

Yeah definitely. I applied to Berkeley on like... December 2nd? Accepted December 13th. The gunners on here are going to tell you application date is super important somehow. It is... but nowhere near as important as that LSAT score.

[09042014]

So at UChi you seem to be fine if you apply before 12/15.

[2014]

So at UChi you seem to be fine if you apply before 12/15.

Not that it makes a difference for the OP, but I would argue the graph says be in before 11/15 where that wall of declines hits (with some acceptances still, sure). Small sample size though so who knows the reason.

OP take the June LSAT you have plenty of time to prepare. If you do well, apply September, if not you have October as a backup. I (as well as many others) took October thinking I would do well, didn't do so hot, and had to retake in December and delay applications a year. I would much rather have had October as my backup date instead of my first shot at it.

[lovejopd]

So at UChi you seem to be fine if you apply before 12/15.

where can I get these graphs for other schools?...

[dukey]

Fwiw, I applied to Berkeley on a DECEMBER LSAT and was admitted.

OP, do not listen to this.

http://www.top-law-schools.com/berring-interview.html
Interview with Dean Berring (former dean):
TLS: Can you please offer any general advice to law school applicants?
Dean Berring: Get your damn application in early!

http://www.top-law-schools.com/tom-interview.html
Interview with Dean Tom (current dean):
TLS: Excellent. And then, the concluding question: any additional advice that you’d like to offer applicants when they apply for the next academic year?
Dean Tom: “Yes. You must apply early. Even though we don’t have an early decision program, the early bird does catch the worm here.


--> No law school stresses applying early like Berkeley's does. So yes, apply early. And even if you choose to take the Oct LSAT, your score will still get to them likely before your admission decision comes out.

I don't ever recommend applying later than you should in my post man

However, I firmly believe taking a later LSAT to get a better score is highly preferable to applying early for applying early's sake. December is the latest, but October or before is preferable.

My bad - sorry bhan.

OP, get your app in and then retake - there's a spot on the Berk app where you can indicate this.

Dean Tom says this: “They should apply as early as possible anyway, and then retake the LSAT later on. There is a space on our application form for applicants to indicate when they have taken or will take the LSAT, and so that tells my staff to hold the file open.”