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I'm a newbie around here, and I've recently decided to go to law school. TLS has been a fantastic resource lately.

I'm graduating from undergrad in May and am considering studying for the LSAT this summer to take it in October 2014 and apply for Fall 2015 admission. I took a diagnostic test in November just to see where I stood and got a 154. I'll graduate with a GPA between 3.68-3.72, so I'd like to raise my LSAT enough to be in T14 range.

My question is twofold:

1. What's the likelihood of me raising my LSAT enough in that studying timeframe, or would it be better to study longer and apply a year later? What have others with similar goals and time achieved?

2. What's the timeline like between taking the October LSAT and applying? I've read that it's best to apply around November, so would the October LSAT leave me enough time for that? What if I begin applying before I get my score back and find out that I'm unsatisfied with my result?

Thanks!

It's difficult to say how long is long enough. It depends on how quickly you develop. Some people can start hitting 170+ in 3 months, but others can take 6 or more. As far as getting apps out before Thanksgiving, the October (September) test leaves you plenty of time to do that. I would go ahead and work on a PS so you just have to do why essays later on.

Winston1984 wrote:It's difficult to say how long is long enough. It depends on how quickly you develop. Some people can start hitting 170+ in 3 months, but others can take 6 or more. As far as getting apps out before Thanksgiving, the October (September) test leaves you plenty of time to do that. I would go ahead and work on a PS so you just have to do why essays later on.

Great advice on beginning to work on a PS, I've thought about what I'll write a bit but it will certainly help to get it down now. Thanks!

kyledavidsmith wrote:

Winston1984 wrote:It's difficult to say how long is long enough. It depends on how quickly you develop. Some people can start hitting 170+ in 3 months, but others can take 6 or more. As far as getting apps out before Thanksgiving, the October (September) test leaves you plenty of time to do that. I would go ahead and work on a PS so you just have to do why essays later on.

Great advice on beginning to work on a PS, I've thought about what I'll write a bit but it will certainly help to get it down now. Thanks!

No problem, and good luck!

Winston1984 wrote:It's difficult to say how long is long enough. It depends on how quickly you develop. Some people can start hitting 170+ in 3 months, but others can take 6 or more. As far as getting apps out before Thanksgiving, the October (September) test leaves you plenty of time to do that. I would go ahead and work on a PS so you just have to do why essays later on.

I wouldn’t stress too much about a PS right now. I did mine in the time between taking the test and score release day and that was more than enough time. I would, however, start getting some Letters of Rec. It’s never too soon to start approaching professors/employers.

In terms of how much time it will take to score a 170+, I agree with Winston. Some will never hit 170+ no matter how much time they spend, while others can hit 170 after studying for a week. It really depends on motivation and an understanding of the fundamentals. Go to the LSAT section of the forums, read some of the guides, buy the right material, and just start studying.

Broseph, I took the Oct LSAT & chilled until I got my score back. I wouldn't think about working on app material now when you should be using all your free time on what matters- the LSAT.

I did ask professors to start drafting letters in early Oct though. I worked on my PS after scores were released and submitted all my apps right before thanksgiving.

Worked 40 hours a week also during the whole year FWIW

Dumb question, but how long does it generally take to get your scores back?

I hate waiting around for stuff to happen so just trying to best plan out my timeline between now and acceptance.

http://www.manhattanlsat.com/actual-score-release.cfm

It usually takes around 3 weeks

I wouldn't work on your PS until after you take your test. That will give you something to do during an extremely stressful three weeks of waiting.

Your "diagnostic" score is meaningless and not an indicator of where you are or what your ability is. You took a test cold that, in order to score at the highest levels (for normal people), requires a lot of rehearsal and finely-tuned technique, strategy and pacing.

Even if you start studying in June or July, you'll have a ton of time to get yourself in a position to crush the test. Getting the right materials is key, and since you've found your way here, that won't be a problem for you.

You're in an excellent position to improve--scoring a 154 cold means that you likely have strong critical thinking and reading comprehension skills but plenty of room to improve as you become more familiar with the test. From now until October is plenty of time (bordering on too much) if you're going to commit to practicing regularly. Giving yourself more time could actually be counterproductive.

You'll have your October scores back in plenty of time to apply in November. But, as another poster suggested, start gathering up your letters of recommendation much earlier. It may take a few weeks for some of your recommenders to get those letters out--you may have to follow up with them--and then, depending on how active LSAC is when your letters arrive, it can take a couple of weeks for them to make it into your file.

Since schools won't look at your file until it's complete, you don't want to wait until you're near to sending off apps to request those letters, or one slow professor could hold up your whole process.

Thanks for the wonderful advice everyone, definitely gives me some food for thought.

Next step: acquiring self-study materials...

http://rack.2.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDEz ... eading.gif

kyledavidsmith wrote:Thanks for the wonderful advice everyone, definitely gives me some food for thought.

Next step: acquiring self-study materials...

http://rack.2.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDEz ... eading.gif

Start with the LSAT Trainer. YW!

Honestly I would get your LORs done now. It takes minimal effort on your part to solicit them (at least early in the summer).

Transcripts too.

As far as PS goes, I wouldn't bother with it yet, BUT, I would jot down ideas now, if/when they popped into my head.