Quick Question Forum

[kalibula]

My GPA is very low. It's about a 3.25 right now. I want to get into a T1 school and know I need a stellar LSAT score. I'm planning on taking the LSAT in December and have scored at least 170+ on most of my practice tests. I wouldn't be able to take it in October due to some extenuating circumstances. My question is how bad my chances of getting into a top school will be affected since I'll only be sending in my score after December and the admissions board will only see my GPA for most of the early decisions. Any advice is appreciated!

[scammedhard]

December is too late for scholarship money. Wait until the next cycle for optimal outcomes.

[bk1]

They won't even look at your application until you have an LSAT. You can't apply ED because no school I know of will take anything later than the Sept/Oct LSAT for ED applicants.

Apply this cycle, if it doesn't go well then reapply next cycle. Plus if your LSAT isn't 170+ you'll likely need to retake anyways.

[firemed]

IMO: Either take in October or wait a year.

[teaadntoast]

Patience is a virtue.

Wait until you actually HAVE that 170+ score to apply.

[robotclubmember]

December is too late for scholarship money. Wait until the next cycle for optimal outcomes.

Not necessarily so. I got $60K from NU after submitting in the last week of January (3.6 171). However, I had an unimpressive cycle otherwise with way more waitlists than my numbers warranted. Applying late will hurt OP for sure. My thought process that applying in late January would not hurt me was objectively a blunder. You should really try to apply as early as possible.

OP review this: http://www.top-law-schools.com/decision-dates.html

The stats are objectively less favorable for those who rely on being admitted with a January application.

[drays917]

Apply this cycle, if it doesn't go well then reapply next cycle. Plus if your LSAT isn't 170+ you'll likely need to retake anyways.

This. But be ready to submit those apps the moment your LSAT score comes back.