Averaging small LSAT gains Forum

[RSterling]

I know this topic has been addressed in several topics, but I haven't seen anyone address my particular situation. I have a small LSAT increase from taking it in Oct. 2010 and then in June 2012 (166-169 with a cancel in between in Dec. 2010). A 169 is on the far end of the band that LSAC gives out with every score, and I'm wondering if it's more likely that schools will average my score especially at HYSCCN since it's not exactly a big jump. I know a lot of this will be sepeculative, but I'd love to hear more thoughts.

I'm also not keen on writing an addendum for these scores.

[soj]

Nah. And the score bands are irrelevant.

[TopHatToad]

The general consensus is that almost no schools average anymore, exceptions being to Y, S and B who do the holistic thing. That being said, unless you're URM, crazy high gpa or a nobel laureate, HYSCCN is not going to bite even on a 169. Several T14s will, though.

[RSterling]

Nah. And the score bands are irrelevant.

I guess the only reason I brought up the bands is because I think it's Berkeley that says something on their site about how there is no statistical significance of a gain or loss of a few points. I wasn't sure if that was something other schools considered as well when looking at scores.

The general consensus is that almost no schools average anymore, exceptions being to Y, S and B who do the holistic thing. That being said, unless you're URM, crazy high gpa or a nobel laureate, HYSCCN is not going to bite even on a 169. Several T14s will, though.

My GPA is 4.0+, so I'm applying to HS down and I'm hoping that I can nab at least a bite from one of CCN. S is a long shot, but I have some pretty strong targeted recs and I think an above average PS, so who knows. But I agree with you that a 169 is not exactly ideal.

[soj]

Stanford, Chicago, and NYU aren't out of the picture.

Nah. And the score bands are irrelevant.

I guess the only reason I brought up the bands is because I think it's Berkeley that says something on their site about how there is no statistical significance of a gain or loss of a few points. I wasn't sure if that was something other schools considered as well when looking at scores.

They say this because a big chunk of Berkeley's target students are students with mid- to high-160s who might have better options if they retook and broke the 170s.

[sprocket]

Don't count yourself out, my brother didn't break 170 (169 like you) and he got into Harvard. It might not be the first round, you might get wait-listed, or actually get denied. But I think it's dumb to count yourself out. See if you can get any sort of fee waiver, or try to get fee waivers for every other school you're applying to besides the ones that don't give them. That way, you're not having trouble paying for the applications.

As cheesy as it sound, Not applying is an instant deny. Swallow your pride and do it, but be ok with either outcome.

Also, a few of my brother's classmates managed to transfer in from regional TTs and TTTs. It's an option as well; just be sure you'd be happy enough to stay at the school you attend for 1L in case things don't go as well as planned.

Good luck!