3.72 GPA, 161, 160 LSAT..Retake or go to BU/BC? Forum

[underwood15]

3.7 GPA and 161 then 160 LSAT. Should I take a third time or go to BU/BC? In at BU but haven't heard about scholarship money yet.

Want to end up in Boston doing PI or possibly corporate law. Not sure if its worth it to study again for the June/Sept LSAT and apply next cycle or to go to BU now.

[BigZuck]

Definitely retake. No question.

[Nova]

Attending BC/BU at sticker would be significantly overpaying.

Retake in June if you can be ready by then.

[underwood15]

Thanks--that's what I thought. The thought of studying again is horrifying.

I had been practicing at a 168-170 range for my last LSAT, but completely bombed when I actually sat there and took the test because of nerves. Not sure how I can overcome those nerves.

[Nova]

Thanks--that's what I thought. The thought of studying again is horrifying.

I had been practicing at a 168-170 range for my last LSAT, but completely bombed when I actually sat there and took the test because of nerves. Not sure how I can overcome those nerves.

easier said than done, of course, but do everything you can to just treat test day like it was just another PT.

if you can manage to score closer to your PT range, you will put yourself in a much much better positon.

[Marquis]

This is one of those situations where retake is 100% the right choice. You've got a great GPA. It'd be a shame to let it go to waste. And if you were consistently PTing close to 170, you can for sure do better. A few more points on the LSAT can = significant money and/or can open up a higher tier of schools. Nothing wrong with BC/BU. Those two are some of my top choices. But you'd be doing yourself a disservice by paying sticker when you don't have to.

[Optimist Prime]

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[underwood15]

OP, how much did you study and how many PTs did you do before taking the LSAT?

Nothing soothes the ole nerves quite like taking 30 PTs. If I were you I would strongly consider dropping whatever work commitments you have and studying 6 hours a day for the June LSAT. Sounds like you have the raw ability to score a 173+ and a score like that would be worth 150K.

That's another thing--I've taken pretty much every PT since 50. But, that was back in December...so maybe I can just keep re-testing? Not sure how to go about studying for this June test...drilling on drilling, i guess.

[Optimist Prime]

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[underwood15]

Ah, that complicates things a bit. It is definitely harder to study once you've already used a significant portion of the available materials. I personally followed noodleyone's guide and found it very helpful in general.

You may have already done these things but I'll throw them out in case you find them useful. For going from 160s to 170s:
Manhattan LR book for all the wins.
I also found the Manhattan RC book useful, but it's very short and I just read it in the store without purchasing it
LG, powerscore bible, but mostly drill baby drill.

Cambridge packets of questions broken out by type are expensive but fantastic for drilling.
The Manhattan website has an incredible forum for talking about each LSAT and the answer choices for each Q and game. It's like a free personal tutor - absolutely fantastic.
Study your wrong answers instead of your correct answers. If you've done that many Preptests you should have 5 exams worth of Qs you got wrong. Cut them out and make your own exam.
Preptests 30-50 are still very similar to the material on today's exams. I'd use those for endurance and general study and then retake Preptests 65-present in the month leading up to the test.

HTH, and stay motivated! Go out there and take the result you deserve.

Thank you so much!

[shifty_eyed]

Thanks--that's what I thought. The thought of studying again is horrifying.

I had been practicing at a 168-170 range for my last LSAT, but completely bombed when I actually sat there and took the test because of nerves. Not sure how I can overcome those nerves.

I took the LSAT 3 times. On my third time, I was incredibly relaxed compared to my previous two takes. I knew I had taken every practice test available from the past 10 years. I had done games over and over. There was nothing new that could be thrown at me. I was familiar with the instructions. And if I messed up, I knew I could take it again. NBD.

Familiarity is key IMO.

Good luck!

[NYC-WVU]

3.7 GPA and 161 then 160 LSAT. Should I take a third time or go to BU/BC? In at BU but haven't heard about scholarship money yet.

Want to end up in Boston doing PI or possibly corporate law. Not sure if its worth it to study again for the June/Sept LSAT and apply next cycle or to go to BU now.

I think you should retake. You'll probably kill it this time. (I'll get to that in a minute.)

Is it possible to retake in June and try to negotiate more money for this fall? I should know this, and I think the answer is yes, but I'm not sure how it would work; wouldn't it be passed the date you would have to agree to attend? or do people act like nothing is set in stone?

Anyway, the reason I think you'll do well this time is because you're on a continuum now and the BIG question has already been answered. If you want to stay in Boston, you're going to BU (or maybe BC). You're unlikely to get in to HLS, so it's just a matter of how much money you will get at BU. That kind of pressure is nothing compared to the pressure of "In vs. Out." Therefore, you're likely to score much closer to your PT.

If you end up having to wait a cycle, apply Binding ED to BU. I think they give a full ride if you get in, right? So that would be a no-brainer (unless there's some kind of stipulation against applying ED on your second cycle.)

[jk148706]

Thanks--that's what I thought. The thought of studying again is horrifying.

I had been practicing at a 168-170 range for my last LSAT, but completely bombed when I actually sat there and took the test because of nerves. Not sure how I can overcome those nerves.

I took the LSAT 3 times. On my third time, I was incredibly relaxed compared to my previous two takes. I knew I had taken every practice test available from the past 10 years. I had done games over and over. There was nothing new that could be thrown at me. I was familiar with the instructions. And if I messed up, I knew I could take it again. NBD.

Familiarity is key IMO.

Good luck!

How did you do on your third take, just curious.

Also, OP, retake

[Optimist Prime]

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