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Hi Everyone,

A friend told me about this forum, and now I'm here for advice:) I got a 161 in the June exam with not much preparation. I decided to resit in October, and was consistently PTing at 168. I got sick during the week of the test and ended up with a 158. I sent in my apps anyway, and I'm in at two schools, but with not much scholarship aid. I'm still waiting to hear from a few schools. Would taking the February LSAT put me at a disadvantage due to rolling admissions? Would it be better to wait until June to retake and use the higher score (I hope!) then to renegotiate my current offers/get off waitlists etc?

Further information: URM female, 3.39 GPA from a top ten undergrad.

Thanks.

Evilalterego wrote:I got a 161 in the June exam with not much preparation.

Evilalterego wrote:URM female, 3.39 GPA

Retake and reapply next cycle with a 170+ and enjoy HYS.

One month isn't long enough to prep adequately for the LSAT. Give yourself until June and crush the test. Good luck next cycle!

cahwc12 wrote:Give yourself until June and crush the test. Good luck next cycle!

Just to clarify, OP's "June" option is meant to refer to using that score for THIS cycle. OP, don't do that. Forget this year, apply next year.

cahwc12 wrote: For many, one month isn't long enough to prep adequately for the LSAT. Give yourself until June and crush the test. Good luck next cycle!

+1

Study until June, retake then. Not even a question.

TripTrip wrote:

Evilalterego wrote:I got a 161 in the June exam with not much preparation.

Evilalterego wrote:URM female, 3.39 GPA

Retake and reapply next cycle with a 170+ and enjoy HYS.

I really want a shot at starting in Fall 2013 (I'm old. I'm 29). Bearing in mind that it was my illness that threw me off during the last exam, so I'd probably be able to score around 168 for the next exam, which would you propose is better for getting in with aid this cycle: February or June?

Evilalterego wrote:

TripTrip wrote:

Evilalterego wrote:I got a 161 in the June exam with not much preparation.

Evilalterego wrote:URM female, 3.39 GPA

Retake and reapply next cycle with a 170+ and enjoy HYS.

I really want a shot at starting in Fall 2013 (I'm old. I'm 29). Bearing in mind that it was my illness that threw me off during the last exam, so I'd probably be able to score around 168 for the next exam, which would you propose is better for getting in with aid this cycle: February or June?

If that's REALLY what you are going to do, February. If you can get 168, that's the time to get it. June isn't much help for this cycle.

Retaking in February would put you at a disadvantage due to rolling admissions, though with a weak cycle such as this it probably won't affect you too adversely. That said, it's relative madness.

I appreciate you're getting older (aren't we all... *sigh*), but holy crap. Study until June, retake then and apply in September. You'll get into better schools with better job prospects with better financial aid than you would get from lesser schools this cycle. It's just a year. I know it feels like sunk costs but it'll be worth it in the end.

bluepenguin wrote:Retaking in February would put you at a disadvantage due to rolling admissions, though with a weak cycle such as this it probably won't affect you too adversely. That said, it's relative madness.

I appreciate you're getting older (aren't we all... *sigh*), but holy crap. Study until June, retake then and apply in September. You'll get into better schools with better job prospects with better financial aid than you would get from lesser schools this cycle. It's just a year. I know it feels like sunk costs but it'll be worth it in the end.

Okay, I think I'll shoot for June after all. In the end, I'll still have the opportunity to either negotiate scholarships or decide to wait a year. I'll most likely have a better score since I won't have to frantically cancel all my January plans to make room for studying. Thanks for helping me to brainstorm everyone!!

.

Regulus wrote:I am not saying that it isn't possible, but rather that it just isn't likely that the OP will get into any of these 3 unless she gets a high-170s LSAT score, and even then it's a 50/50.

That is fair. However, anything beats paying sticker at the lower T1, which is what it sounds like OP would be doing.

For the record, OP, you're not old. You don't even qualify for the old school applicants thread yet.

Since you were PTing around the 96th percentile, it would be a shame to go to law school with a score around the 80th percentile.

IMO, You should take the test in June and apply early next cycle if you bump your score significantly. Getting into a much better school or getting a big scholarship at the schools you already have a shot at right now is worth waiting a year.

A June retake could also get you off the WL and more scholarships this cycle. It would also put you in a good position to know whether you should matriculate or wait.

Thanks everyone!

I'll qualify for the old school thread in a year!

Evilalterego wrote:Thanks everyone!

I'll qualify for the old school thread in a year!

Congrats on your great decision and good luck next cycle and with your June LSAT!

cahwc12 wrote:

Evilalterego wrote:Thanks everyone!

I'll qualify for the old school thread in a year!

Congrats on your great decision and good luck next cycle and with your June LSAT!