WL, JS1, then Rejected at Harvard - Retake or Reapply? Forum

[La.Chocolate]

170/3.85+ non-URM relatively decent softs (published books, etc)

Applied to HLS in late January this year, several days before the Feb. 1st deadline.
I didn't feel too confident about my LSAT score, so I hesitated until the very last minute.

I was waitlisted, then had a JS1 offer shortly after, and didn't hear back for...about 1.5 months, and was finally rejected a couple weeks ago.

Would I have higher chances if I applied on the first day HLS starts accepting applications, or would it better if I apply later in the year (after retaking the Oct/Dec LSAT)?

Thoughts?

[hiltopp01]

Retake in October for 173+ is TCR.

[ArtistOfManliness]

Retake in October for 173+ is TCR.

Given that you weren't rejected for a while, I would say that they were trying to fit you in, but your LSAT score kept you out (so probably not a bombing of the interview). Retake.

[Lavitz]

Unless their GPA median dropped, you're below both medians so retaking will do much more for you than applying in September. Helix was below both medians, applied in September, and still got WL-->JS1-->rejected.

[Ti Malice]

Definitely retake.

[tabula rasa]

Very little risk to retaking in October. Even if you don't improve, you can still blanket the T-14 for $$.

[La.Chocolate]

thanks hiltopp01, ArtistOfManliness, Lavitz and all others for sharing your opinion. I decided to go for a re-take.

[Ti Malice]

thanks hiltopp01, ArtistOfManliness, Lavitz and all others for sharing your opinion. I decided to go for a re-take.

Smart choice!

If you hit 174 or higher, definitely throw an app to YLS. Actually, apply even if you don't. They do in fact admit some non-URM applicants under both medians. If you've published books, you have a soft the faculty reviewers should weight fairly heavily.

Good luck!