Should I skip this cycle? Advice much appreciated Forum

[h3jk5h]

Hey,

I have a dilemma: The deadline for law school applications in US and Canada is generally November 1st, which is two weeks from now. I havn't written my LSAT yet, and I'm scheduled to write this December. I have not yet started writing my personal statement, have not yet asked for letters of recommendation, and most importantly I have not hit my target LSAT range on my practice tests.

I scored a 165 on my most recent prep test and I'd say my LSAT skill level at the moment is around the low to mid 160s. Assuming that the 165 is an accurate reflection of my skill, I need around a 6-8 point jump if I were to have a chance at HYS, the schools that I'm aiming to get into. My GPA is 4.0 and I'm confident in my "softs" (i.e. extra-curricular activities). But sadly, a 165 just won't cut it.

I'm torn because I'm not confident that I could go from 165 to around 172 in one month and a half, and I don't want to run the risk of writing the December LSAT prematurely. So I'm considering skipping this year's cycle entirely. Based on some self reflection, this would be my best bet if I want to aim for HYS - I would get a lot more time studying for the LSAT and more time writing my personal statement and getting the reference letters ready. But at the same time, if I skip this cycle there would be a gap year since I am graduating. I'm not sure if I would find a full-time job in the meantime to keep myself occupied and productive.

Option B is to write my PS and get the letters ASAP and submit the applications by the November 1st deadline, and hope that I would practice my way to 170+ by the December write. If I score in the 160s instead, I would still have a shot for the Canadians schools (I am a Canadian undergrad). But this would ruin my chances at HYS entirely, and I think this would leave me with many regrets. But the plus side is that I wouldn't have the awkward gap year.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance

[phillywc]

The deadline for law school applications isn't until next year. You are already too late to get an early application boost.

At this point, I'd personally probably apply if you hit your target LSAT but otherwise take a year off.

[LET'S GET IT]

The deadline for law school applications isn't until next year. You are already too late to get an early application boost.

At this point, I'd personally probably apply if you hit your target LSAT but otherwise take a year off.

This.

Get the letters, write the PS, take the LSAT. If it turns out 170+, go ahead and apply this cycle. If not, sit a cycle and get your LSAT up. One gap year is NBD. 5 years would be, but 1 isn't. Good luck.

[Nomo]

Apply when you have the highest LSAT you can possibly get. Go ahead and get your PS and rec's together in case you get the highest LSAT you can possibly get in December. But if you take it in December and believe there is room for improvement then study more and retake. Do not leave any points on the table.

[KMart]

The deadline for law school applications isn't until next year.

[P.J.Fry]

Nov 1 is only the deadline for Ontario schools, and you can submit those with a pending Dec LSAT. A 165/4.0 is a virtual lock for all of those schools with the possible exception of U of T (still fairly likely). U of T doesn't offer merit aid, so as long as you get in, it doesn't really matter what your LSAT score was. I'd submit your OLSAS app to all of the Ontario schools you are interested in and write in December. See how your score comes out, then make your determination as to whether or not you want to pursue your options in Canada/USA this year or put it on hold for a cycle.

[h3jk5h]

Nov 1 is only the deadline for Ontario schools, and you can submit those with a pending Dec LSAT. A 165/4.0 is a virtual lock for all of those schools with the possible exception of U of T (still fairly likely). U of T doesn't offer merit aid, so as long as you get in, it doesn't really matter what your LSAT score was. I'd submit your OLSAS app to all of the Ontario schools you are interested in and write in December. See how your score comes out, then make your determination as to whether or not you want to pursue your options in Canada/USA this year or put it on hold for a cycle.

If the score comes out poor, doesn't that severely hinder my chances at HYS, since they look at all LSAT takes?

[TheSpanishMain]

The deadline for law school applications isn't until next year. You are already too late to get an early application boost.

At this point, I'd personally probably apply if you hit your target LSAT but otherwise take a year off.

This.

Get the letters, write the PS, take the LSAT. If it turns out 170+, go ahead and apply this cycle. If not, sit a cycle and get your LSAT up. One gap year is NBD. 5 years would be, but 1 isn't. Good luck.

There's nothing wrong with a five year gap, assuming you were working a real job during that five years. If that was five years spent smoking weed and playing PS3 in mom's basement, yeah, that'd be a problem.

[Nonconsecutive]

Nov 1 is only the deadline for Ontario schools, and you can submit those with a pending Dec LSAT. A 165/4.0 is a virtual lock for all of those schools with the possible exception of U of T (still fairly likely). U of T doesn't offer merit aid, so as long as you get in, it doesn't really matter what your LSAT score was. I'd submit your OLSAS app to all of the Ontario schools you are interested in and write in December. See how your score comes out, then make your determination as to whether or not you want to pursue your options in Canada/USA this year or put it on hold for a cycle.

If the score comes out poor, doesn't that severely hinder my chances at HYS, since they look at all LSAT takes?

Can't speak for Y, but I was accepted to both H & S with a low initial LSAT score.

[LET'S GET IT]

The deadline for law school applications isn't until next year. You are already too late to get an early application boost.

At this point, I'd personally probably apply if you hit your target LSAT but otherwise take a year off.

This.

Get the letters, write the PS, take the LSAT. If it turns out 170+, go ahead and apply this cycle. If not, sit a cycle and get your LSAT up. One gap year is NBD. 5 years would be, but 1 isn't. Good luck.

There's nothing wrong with a five year gap, assuming you were working a real job during that five years. If that was five years spent smoking weed and playing PS3 in mom's basement, yeah, that'd be a problem.

To clarify, I meant gap as in smoking weed and playing PS3. If you have a real job, it isn't a gap. Should have been more clear but thought this went without saying.

[downbeat14]

.

[LET'S GET IT]

I think you can start crafting a PS without it taking away from your LSAT prep, but that's just my opinion.

[KMart]

I think you can start crafting a PS without it taking away from your LSAT prep, but that's just my opinion.

I brainstormed a general outline in my head while I was lifting over the course of a week. I do agree where he says it shouldn't take away from the LSAT studying though. The LSAT, at this point, is still the most important part. Can't speak for Y/S but I know H will look at the highest one.

[h3jk5h]

Thanks for all your advice thus far!

I do have two professors in mind for the letters of reference (one agreed, and the other one is will highly likely agree).

If I submit the letters of reference by the deadline without a PS, wouldn't that be poorly looked upon by law school application committees?

And if I happen to cancel my December score, what happens to the letters of recommendation that have already been sent? If I apply next cycle, can I reuse the letters, or do I have to ask my profs again?

[LET'S GET IT]

Thanks for all your advice thus far!

I do have two professors in mind for the letters of reference (one agreed, and the other one is will highly likely agree).

If I submit the letters of reference by the deadline without a PS, wouldn't that be poorly looked upon by law school application committees?

And if I happen to cancel my December score, what happens to the letters of recommendation that have already been sent? If I apply next cycle, can I reuse the letters, or do I have to ask my profs again?

No. If you submit through LSAC, the schools won't see any of your info until everything is submitted meaning with no PS, they won't even get your file so no worries there. This would also enable you to use the LOR's next cycle if you end up sitting this one out. They will stay of file with LSAC.