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June 2014 LSAT - 161
Sept 2014 LSAT - 166
LSAC GPA - 3.37
Work experience & Masters & TFA

Throughout this whole period, I have been PT'ing with an average score of 171-172 so obviously am quite disappointed with these scores. I am planning to retake in December.

I am aiming for T-14 or regionals (Upper Midwest - specifically MN).

Two main questions:

1. Which of the options below makes the most sense?
a. Apply to all of the schools I am interested in now and update after Dec scores are released
b. Apply to ONLY the schools which I have acceptable numbers right now (such as U of MN) and wait on Dec score to apply to others
c. Apply to NO schools now and wait on the Dec score

2. Should I be looking into some sort of private tutoring or online course? Even though my PTs are going well on my own, I am seeing these huge disparities come test time and am wondering if I should be looking for some professional assistance. If so, would anyone recommend anything specifically for those test takers who have already been studying for quite some time AND have been scoring high on PTs?

Thanks all.

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Effingham wrote:The only schools I would even bother applying to now are a true reach school or two (like Georgetown or NU, and even then those prices would be a bit prohibitive) and then send an update when you get your new score. I would only do this because if a school is going to take someone that normally wouldn't hit their standards, it's earlier in the cycle, and you may not get a better score come December for any number of reasons.

Good luck, and don't forget to negotiate.

Thanks Effingham. Your positive comment makes me feel better about my situation. Very noobish question, but how exactly do you "send an update" when you get your new score? Is this via LSAC, or just in an email to admissions?

I should also note that due to my time with TFA, I have fee waivers almost everywhere so price in terms of applying is not a big factor.

secadc11 wrote:

Effingham wrote:The only schools I would even bother applying to now are a true reach school or two (like Georgetown or NU, and even then those prices would be a bit prohibitive) and then send an update when you get your new score. I would only do this because if a school is going to take someone that normally wouldn't hit their standards, it's earlier in the cycle, and you may not get a better score come December for any number of reasons.

Good luck, and don't forget to negotiate.

Thanks Effingham. Your positive comment makes me feel better about my situation. Very noobish question, but how exactly do you "send an update" when you get your new score? Is this via LSAC, or just in an email to admissions?

I should also note that due to my time with TFA, I have fee waivers almost everywhere so price in terms of applying is not a big factor.

I didn't do it myself, so others may have more informed advice here, but I'm pretty sure you just inform them through an email when the new score comes in and what it is. If they wait-list or reject you, you can tell them before you take it that you plan to take it again so you're not completely off their radar. I'm pretty sure they will have access to it, no need to do a new app or anything. Someone please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong here.

And with fee waivers, feel free to apply away, then use your higher LSAT as leverage to negotiate, and then play the schools off one another. Can't see any reason it would hurt you to apply now if the cost isn't there. 166 is actually a good spot for a number of decent mid-west regionals. I've seen ND, WUSTL, and UMN all shell out greater than 75% scholly's for nearly those exact numbers (slightly lower GPA actually).

Obviously still retake though, fighting for median at NU or UMich with a decent scholly is a lot better spot to be in than fighting for top third (or top 10% at UMN) at those other schools.

Thanks again Effingham. Super helpful.