Ask schools to wait? Which GPA matters most? Forum

[rribley]

Hi all, I hope I can get some advice.

First some info:

I took the LSAT in Feb 2014 and got a 156. I'm planning to retake Dec 2014. Wish I felt ready for this month's test, but I don't. I'm really hoping for at least a 162 or higher in December, but I have no idea if it will happen.

I am going to graduate Dec 2014 and I am applying in the 2015-2016 cycle. I currently have a 3.82 GPA.

I'm planning to apply to 10-11 schools that I'll pick from this pool:

Penn
UVA
Duke
Cornell
Georgetown
Emory
GWU
William and Mary
BU
UGA
UNC
Wake Forest
Washington and Lee
George Mason
Maryland
University of Richmond

I know, I know, a lot of the schools are out of my reach with my current score and I may not have a shot if I don't improve enough. Still hoping to improve.

Here's the problem: I am always feeling guilty about my classes and not trying my best or being fully engaged in the readings. Right now it is so difficult to be concerned with my Hemingway papers when my whole future hangs on the LSAT in December and my law school apps. I could care less about my classes and wish I could just put them to the side completely. I could, but I've never done that before and I'm not sure what would happen. I could get all A's anyway, or maybe straight B's and it would ruin my GPA.

Here are a couple questions:

Since I'm retaking in December, should I ask law schools to wait to review my app until my new score comes? Do all schools offer that option? If I do this, will it make a difference if my application is submitted earlier than my new LSAT score is released, or could I just wait to submit until December and have it not impact me?

Let's say I don't ask law schools to wait to review my app until my new score is released. Will they only see my current GPA? Will they look at my final GPA? If it goes down a bit how will that look? Is it a big deal? Obviously I don't want to let it drop just in case this doesn't work out and I want to apply to other grad school programs, but just wondering.

If they wait until my Dec score is released to review my app they will likely see my final GPA which may be lower if I decide to put classes to the side. If my score improves, but GPA goes down what will they think?

Thanks

[Cradle6]

Score is too low to go anywhere worthwhile.

Take some time off after school to study for the LSAT after you graduate if necessary.

Your GPA is good, so I know you can get a decent LSAT.

[runinthefront]

.

[Rigo]

You mean you're applying the 2014-2015 cycle? If you're doing the 2015-2016 cycle, you would already have your new score before applying next fall...

[rribley]

Dirigo, maybe I've got the lingo wrong. I am planning to apply to start law school in the fall of 2015.

I know I can get a better score too and I want it so bad, so thank you for the encouragement. The problem is that money is an issue for me and I've convinced my mom to support me this semester while I study and finish school. Her one condition was that I take the December test and she said something along the lines of "you can't study forever."

So, I guess I'm committed to taking the December test and applying this cycle. If I wasn't, I'd have to go back to work now because my mom would be mad if she supported me and I didn't end up taking the test. If I go back to work now, there leaves no time between school and work to study for the LSAT. I guess I could just wait until the following cycle, but I'd be financially responsible for my living expenses and loan payments in the year after graduation in December and I'm terrified of that. Who knows what that will be like and if it will leave me enough time to study? I feel like I have this magical three month period to get a better score, but it's still hard to juggle classes and LSAT and I don't feel like I'm doing enough to improve.

[runinthefront]

.

[Rigo]

Dirigo, maybe I've got the lingo wrong. I am planning to apply to start law school in the fall of 2015.

In that case, don't apply until you get your new score in January.

As for the mom situation, that's really difficult and I don't know what to say. Try explaining to her the situation. Tell her that the LSAT is a huge endeavor by itself and either your GPA or your score will suffer.
Unless she is paying for your law school, the difference between a 156 and a 166 (let's say) is LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. Keep that in perspective when worrying about room and board for a couple of months.

[rribley]

On no, she's not paying for law school. I've definitely tried explaining everything to her. Anyway, I know it's a personal problem and there isn't a forum for incredibly demanding and clueless parents.

ANYWAY fuck my life I'm so tired of this damn test. I guess I'll just do my best to study and if I'm not ready for the December test then I'll go back to work after graduation and try not to starve until I pull out a 175. You guys seem so sure that's possible, but what if it's not? I know I'm whining but seriously!!!???? That's a long way from 156.

Dirigo--isn't January gonna be too late? I guess if my score is high enough it won't matter? HA

[Rigo]

Dirigo--isn't January gonna be too late? I guess if my score is high enough it won't matter? HA

January is not too late if you apply right after scores are released.

December 2014 Study Group

Yeah it'll be a lot of work, but so is law school and employment thereafter. I do think time off after college is important from a maturity standpoint. Just be the very best you can be.

[rribley]

Thanks. So if you were me would you worry about the actual law school apps right now or just focus on LSAT? If it's high enough in December I don't want to be applicationless, but if I'm not ready I'll have spent all the time on the apps for nothing.

[Rigo]

Thanks. So if you were me would you worry about the actual law school apps right now or just focus on LSAT? If it's high enough in December I don't want to be applicationless, but if I'm not ready I'll have spent all the time on the apps for nothing.

Focus on the LSAT. Don't go shopping for a mansion before you've even bought a lottery ticket.