Consensus on LSAT Averaging Forum

[Teflon_Don]

So, do schools generally do this? I heard they were going more towards just caring about the higher score. So, do schools that say they average ACTUALLY average? Or is it just to seem more holistic, etc.

[WhiskeynCoke]

No matter what they "claim" schools do not average scores. At the most, the may take retakes into "account" (What that means is up for debate.. usually interpreted as a "tie-breaker" in the event that every other facet of app is exactly equal, which almost never happens). The reason for this is that only your highest score is reported to US News and used in the rankings/medians. Because of this, it's in schools best interest to take only the highest, and with decrease in applications over the past couple years, schools cannot afford to shoot themselves in the foot for no reason.

Every shred of evidence we have suggests that (all other things being equal.. mainly GPA) someone with a 160 & a 170 will always do better than someone with a 169. Averaging is a myth.. they take your highest score.

[Teflon_Don]

great info thanks! Also, do you know what GPA is submitted to US News? Is it the GPA you apply with, or final undergrad GPA (if you graduate in May, for instance)?

[fastforward]

Every shred of evidence we have suggests that (all other things being equal.. mainly GPA) someone with a 160 & a 170 will always do better than someone with a 169. Averaging is a myth.. they take your highest score.

I can verify this from the experiences of my clients. Even with schools that continue to insist they average, the results don't bear this out. Several years ago the ABA changed its school reporting requirements for matriculating students from average LSAT score to the highest score.

I'm not sure why some schools continue to state or even imply they consider anything but the highest score, but if you're considering a retake, it's important that you know averaging really is a myth.

[Nova]

W&C is right. Averaging scores would put schools at a competitive disadvantage against their peers.

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[wert3813]

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[bp shinners]

great info thanks! Also, do you know what GPA is submitted to US News? Is it the GPA you apply with, or final undergrad GPA (if you graduate in May, for instance)?

GPA with which you apply.