When to apply Forum

[MtnGinger]

I did ok on the June LSAT but way below my average PT of 175 and will be retaking in September, but I was wondering when I should apply to schools. My dream programs are Berkeley and Columbia so I want to get my application in as early as possible. I have a 166 and my UGPA is 3.8 but that may drop to around 3.78 due to high school classes not on my transcript and I have almost decided I will never get in either school and am willing to compromise with U Texas. I'm toying with the idea of going ahead with the Texas app before I even retake but is that a good idea? Also can I go ahead and apply to other schools and just let them know another score will be coming or is it best to wait until I have the score.

[Mullens]

I did ok on the June LSAT but way below my average PT of 175 and will be retaking in September, but I was wondering when I should apply to schools. My dream programs are Berkeley and Columbia so I want to get my application in as early as possible. I have a 166 and my UGPA is 3.8 but that may drop to around 3.78 due to high school classes not on my transcript and I have almost decided I will never get in either school and am willing to compromise with U Texas. I'm toying with the idea of going ahead with the Texas app before I even retake but is that a good idea? Also can I go ahead and apply to other schools and just let them know another score will be coming or is it best to wait until I have the score.

You'll be fine if you apply the day you get your September score. That's still very much on the early end and will be before schools start releasing decisions.

[CFC1524]

I did ok on the June LSAT but way below my average PT of 175 and will be retaking in September, but I was wondering when I should apply to schools. My dream programs are Berkeley and Columbia so I want to get my application in as early as possible. I have a 166 and my UGPA is 3.8 but that may drop to around 3.78 due to high school classes not on my transcript and I have almost decided I will never get in either school and am willing to compromise with U Texas. I'm toying with the idea of going ahead with the Texas app before I even retake but is that a good idea? Also can I go ahead and apply to other schools and just let them know another score will be coming or is it best to wait until I have the score.

You'll be fine if you apply the day you get your September score. That's still very much on the early end and will be before schools start releasing decisions.

Related question:

I under-performed on the June LSAT (164), but if I manage to do better in September, I would like to ask most of the top-14 for fee waivers (3.93 GPA, hopefully +170 LSAT). Is it possible to receive a fee waiver after receiving my September score but still apply in the "early" part of the application cycle? My worry is that waiting to ask for a waiver until after I get my score will cost me too much time. Essentially, I'm wondering if I should just pay the fees and apply as early as possible, or if I should email out fee waiver requests and wait for the schools to respond.

[theotherone823]

Related question:

I under-performed on the June LSAT (164), but if I manage to do better in September, I would like to ask most of the top-14 for fee waivers (3.93 GPA, hopefully +170 LSAT). Is it possible to receive a fee waiver but still apply in the "early" part of the application cycle? My worry is that waiting to ask for a waiver until after I get my September score will cost me too much time. Essentially, I'm wondering if I should just pay the fees and apply as early as possible, or if I should email out fee waiver requests and wait for the schools to respond.

There will be only a marginal difference between submitting your applications in mid-October as soon as you get you September LSAT score and waiting a few weeks to get responses about fee waivers. If you are on track to get your apps in before Thanksgiving, you are in good shape. Have your apps ready to go before you get your LSAT score and have your fee waiver requests pre-written so all you need to do when you get your score is plug the score in and send it out.