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Hi all!

I'll be applying for fall 2015, and was wondering if I would be significantly disadvantaged taking the December LSAT (instead of September), and thus applying slightly later in the cycle.

I was originally planning on sitting the LSAT in September, but feel I could do much better (170+) in December with the extra study time.

So - is it better to have a higher LSAT score, or to apply earlier? Would the predicted lower number of applications this year make a later application ok?

Extra info - I'm an international student (British), with a first class undergrad degree (so would assume 'superior' LSAC rating), a masters degree from the London School of Economics, and good letters of recommendation. I don't have any significant professional experience (though have done some work experience at barristers' chambers in the UK).

From what I've gathered, the lack of a traditional GPA only makes my LSAT score more important, so I am leaning towards taking the December test?

Thanks for any insight!

If you don't feel ready and are confident you can gain several points on the LSAT between September and December, the gain in points is worth far more than any bump you might get from applying early.

js1663 wrote:If you don't feel ready and are confident you can gain several points on the LSAT between September and December, the gain in points is worth far more than any bump you might get from applying early.

While this is 100 percent true, op has over a year to prepare. I can't imagine September not being the ideal target, with an October app.

cron1834 wrote:

js1663 wrote:If you don't feel ready and are confident you can gain several points on the LSAT between September and December, the gain in points is worth far more than any bump you might get from applying early.

While this is 100 percent true, op has over a year to prepare. I can't imagine September not being the ideal target, with an October app.

Fall 2015 is this application cycle

cron1834 wrote:

js1663 wrote:If you don't feel ready and are confident you can gain several points on the LSAT between September and December, the gain in points is worth far more than any bump you might get from applying early.

While this is 100 percent true, op has over a year to prepare. I can't imagine September not being the ideal target, with an October app.

am i reading it wrong? he's not applying in 2015, he's attending in 2015 right? in other words he's taking the LSAT either next month or in December, not a year from now

If you're not ready for the test in six weeks then wait until December. Better LSAT Score >>>>>>> Early Application. From my experience (applied in January due to December LSAT) you may be more likely to get Yield Protect WL with a late application but you are def. still in the running for good scholarship money if your numbers are good enough.. it definitely doesn't hurt that law school apps should continue to fall.

I may be misinterpreting... OP, are you applying in a few months or in a year? Big difference.

cron1834 wrote:I may be misinterpreting... OP, are you applying in a few months or in a year? Big difference.

I think they meant they're applying for enrollment in the fall of 2015 as opposed to applying in the fall of 2015. Mainly because being neurotic about the LSAT that's 13 months from now is silly.

john7234797 wrote:

cron1834 wrote:I may be misinterpreting... OP, are you applying in a few months or in a year? Big difference.

I think they meant they're applying for enrollment in the fall of 2015 as opposed to applying in the fall of 2015. Mainly because being neurotic about the LSAT that's 13 months from now is silly.

Yeah you're prob right. Though we've seen at least that level of neuroticism from various peeps here!

Definitely need to go for the higher LSAT score, so I'd recommend taking it in December to give you more time to prepare. And if you don't do as well as you hope, be willing to sit out the cycle and retake.

Thanks for the responses.

To clarify, I am applying this year with the intention to start school in 2015

Well if you're set on going in 2015, and I mean really set, then perhaps you should take the September LSAT with a mind open to retaking in December if needed. That will give you more than one shot at the test just in case while still letting you have a complete application by January.

Yea All Right wrote:Well if you're set on going in 2015, and I mean really set, then perhaps you should take the September LSAT with a mind open to retaking in December if needed. That will give you more than one shot at the test just in case while still letting you have a complete application by January.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking of doing. If nothing else it will be good practice, and I can always cancel the score if I feel I really under-performed.

I'm of the opinion that you shouldn't cancel your score unless you know you really, I mean really, screwed up.

Ideally study hard and get that 170+ the first time, sure you have a safety net in the form of the December administration but you should definitely still prepare full-throttle as if you don't. Good luck.

Would the likelihood/amount of scholarship money be affected by applying later (assuming a good LSAT result)?

if you're a KJD consider waiting out at least a year. more time to prepare and retake, and get work/life experience