Should I Apply Now and Later, or Simply Wait Until Later? Forum

[Bjorn]

So I took the most recent February LSAT WITHOUT the intention of submitting applications for Fall matriculation. I planned on spending the year working on polishing my apps to perfection, and submitting them very early. However, since I've taken the test, several top schools (T-14) have emailed me asking me to apply, waiving fees, and suggesting I may be eligible for scholarships, etc. I honestly did not expect this to happen, and I'm now confused about what to do. Should I submit a hurried round of applications to some target schools and see what happens? After all, I could always apply again next round with a superior PS, etc., if I get no bites, right? And if I DO get accepted to some top schools, wouldn't that make my application seem that much stronger if I then decided to go ahead and apply later this year anyway? Is there any reason not to go ahead and apply? Would it hurt my ultimate chances at a school if I submitted a hurried application now, and applied later this year as well? I'm so ambivalent about what to do!

For reference, I'm a splitter: low GPA (less than 3.5) / high LSAT (170+)

[md22]

So I took the most recent February LSAT WITHOUT the intention of submitting applications for Fall matriculation. I planned on spending the year working on polishing my apps to perfection, and submitting them very early. However, since I've taken the test, several top schools (T-14) have emailed me asking me to apply, waiving fees, and suggesting I may be eligible for scholarships, etc. I honestly did not expect this to happen, and I'm now confused about what to do. Should I submit a hurried round of applications to some target schools and see what happens? After all, I could always apply again next round with a superior PS, etc., if I get no bites, right? And if I DO get accepted to some top schools, wouldn't that make my application seem that much stronger if I then decided to go ahead and apply later this year anyway? Is there any reason not to go ahead and apply? Would it hurt my ultimate chances at a school if I submitted a hurried application now, and applied later this year as well? I'm so ambivalent about what to do!

For reference, I'm a splitter: low GPA (less than 3.5) / high LSAT (170+)

Both? Apply if you want to (especially with waivers) and if it doesn't work out apply early next cycle and enjoy the fruits of your labor. No harm in giving it a shot. In the meantime, work and save up money. Not that difficult of a decision, IMHO.

Edit: but it is very late in the cycle to be applying. I'd be surprised if you got in with money. If you want more money/scholly offers, I think waiting would help you there.

[BerkeleyBear]

If you want to apply, go for it. You have nothing to lose. Well, maybe some $ and time. I would opt to just wait it out and apply early next cycle. I'd be willing to bet your admission chances and scholly totals would increase if you waited. HTH.

[Bjorn]

To both of you: yes, I'm definitely going to apply later. If I applied now, it would not be to matriculate this Fall. My conundrum is, would it help me later to apply now, and possibly get acceptances/$? Without ever intending to matriculate. Or would it hurt me later on, since my application would be rushed, etc., and they would see that I had applied before and been rejected possibly, etc.

[BerkeleyBear]

To both of you: yes, I'm definitely going to apply later. If I applied now, it would not be to matriculate this Fall. My conundrum is, would it help me later to apply now, and possibly get acceptances/$? Without ever intending to matriculate. Or would it hurt me later on, since my application would be rushed, etc., and they would see that I had applied before and been rejected possibly, etc.

If you're not going to matriculate next fall then I don't see any advantages applying this late in the cycle. I'm a 0L and this is coming out my ass so wait until more knowledgeable people can chime in. Good luck and congrats on the high LSAT.

[rebexness]

Waste of time and money to apply now. Both yours and the adcoms.

Wait until fall, get a solid application together, profit $$. They will still want you then.

[Rory19]

BTW Op I felt similarly when I took my LSAT back in October 2011. I simply replied to each of the e-mails and politely stated I was honored for the offer and would they be able to extend it to admissions cycle the following year. You can still keep those fee waivers!