How much of a disadvantage if applying early January? Forum

[mikeylikesit]

I know that applying early is best, but I'm just wondering if anyone knows just how much of a disadvantage it is to wait and apply with a December LSAT score. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[yuzu]

I'm not sure exactly how you expect us to quantify it - it depends on the circumstances. If your numbers are marginal for the school they may no longer be willing to take a chance on you because their class is getting full. And from a diversity perspective, they may have already admitted people with your background/interests/regional ties and not be as interested in admitting you.

If you're a clear admit for the school, though, you would probably get in.

Perhaps a late application is equivalent to taking a point or two off your LSAT score in terms of its relative detriment? But keep in mind that if you don't like what you get you can reapply next year.

[snailio]

Well at Yale it's not a problem, other schools with rolling admissions yes...like they say early bird gets the worm...two bites at the apple...yadda yadda.

[Gecko of Doom]

If there was one easy thing I could have changed about my cycle last year, it would have been not waiting until January to apply. I ended up getting waitlisted at quite a few schools where I should have been competitive (based on my numbers) and probably missing out on some scholarship offers. While I eventually ended up where I wanted to be, I think getting applications out earlier would have made things much easier and less stressful.