Advantage of applying with an Oct LSAT vs Dec Forum

[Betharl]

Is there really that much of an advantage to applying earlier (reg admissions, not binding ED) with an Oct score vs waiting until you get your Dec score? If so, why? If you are a bordeline applicant, aren't schools likely to wait on making their decision anyway, and by that time, won't December people have their LSATs in? I could understand if maybe the school's medians were going up that year (as they do many years, although it sounds like people are speculating that may not be the case this year). So, if their medians for last year were a 167 LSAT 3.7 GPA, and you apply early with those numbers exactly, maybe they would be more inclined to admit you than if you waited until late in the cycle and they realized their medians were going up to 168/3.75.

Otherwise, it seems like applying early may just help people with above average medians hoping to get money?

This has probably been answered before, but I can't find it easily, any thoughts?

[Hawkeye Pierce]

You should always apply as early as possible..... the only reason to wait for Dec is if you're confident you can score higher on the December LSAT. Otherwise, if you're only using an Oct score, apply at the end of Oct/beginning of Nov.

You can use the search function to find out more info...

[cinephile]

You apply early no matter what your scores because schools have rolling admissions and you have a better chance of being admitted while there are still many seats available as opposed to later, when there aren't.

I believe you can submit your application early and then update them in December if you retake. This might be the best of both worlds.

[Real Madrid]

Most people seem to think that using the September/October test and applying very soon after you get your score back will not put you at a disadvantage (though all things being equal, applying in September > applying in October/November).

Using the December LSAT actually COULD put you at a disadvantage, though. First off, if your numbers are borderline at certain schools, it will be too late to use the ED option (with the exception of Duke, UVA and Georgetown). Secondly, your only chance of a retake if you don't perform well is in February, which is clearly too late to start applying and expect your best cycle. And lastly, many of your peers with similar numbers will already have applied to the schools you're interested in a month or two before you.

You've also got to consider the timeline for school decisions. The same numbers submitted earlier will typically get you a quicker decision, so you can go ahead and start looking at apartments, considering your options, etc.

In short, as the above poster said, only wait until December if you think it will truly make a difference in your score.

[094320]

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[FlanAl]

another advantage is that you'll probably get your decision from schools sooner giving you more time to think through your choices.

[Corwin]

Is there really that much of an advantage to applying earlier (reg admissions, not binding ED) with an Oct score vs waiting until you get your Dec score? If so, why? If you are a bordeline applicant, aren't schools likely to wait on making their decision anyway, and by that time, won't December people have their LSATs in?

Even if schools don't start to review applications until after the December LSAT, a lot of them review the applications in the order in which they are received. Being earlier in the pile means there are more spots and more money left.