Resolved. Forum

[crescentstars]

Resolved. Thanks all!

[lymenheimer]

It's not really flip-flopping. Applying early is better than applying late, but applying with a higher score is better than applying with a lower score. It depends on whether or not you're okay with the possibility of a waitlist. I have a slightly better LSAT and a slightly worse GPA and I've already applied to most of my main schools even though I'm planning on retaking in December. There's no sure way to tell what will happen if you apply now, but waiting until December administration scores are released won't put you too far behind or at a huge disadvantage, especially if you can hit low-mid 170s. You might be better off waiting until next cycle, depending upon your resulting LSAT score, to be considered for big merit scholarships that may be somewhat decided by the time you apply in January though. Just some things to take into consideration.

[ihenry]

I'll give you another "if you can score higher then wait" answer.

[yunjh1066]

Sorry to takeover,

I am planning to take it this December too and thought I would apply as soon as I'm done with the test.
But after reading this post, am I only allowed to apply after my Dec. score is released? Which is around January, right?

Thanks!

[ihenry]

Sorry to takeover,

I am planning to take it this December too and thought I would apply as soon as I'm done with the test.
But after reading this post, am I only allowed to apply after my Dec. score is released? Which is around January, right?

Thanks!

You need to have a score on file to send in your application. If December is a retake, you may consider sending in right now and indicate your plan to take in December. They will then hold on until your December score is out, but it will be surely pretty late in cycle for top schools.

[yunjh1066]

^ Thanks. But I thought it was better to wait until your score is released and then apply. Rather than applying now and then indicating that you are retaking it in December. My score so far are very poor so I am counting on this December one.

Or, does this not matter for re-takers?

[A. Nony Mouse]

I don't think you need to have a score on file to send in your application, schools just won't look at it until you have a score. But if you are actually going to score higher, waiting is better. December isn't early, but it's not application-killing wait - lots of people apply then. If you check out the Q+A thread with Spivey et al in the Professionals forum, I think Karen Buttenbaum answered this question fairly recently.

[ihenry]

^ Thanks. But I thought it was better to wait until your score is released and then apply. Rather than applying now and then indicating that you are retaking it in December. My score so far are very poor so I am counting on this December one.

Or, does this not matter for re-takers?

Well, if it's significantly below your target schools median, then yeah you probably need to wait until December score is out. But because it's pretty late in the cycle, if you don't get an outcome you are happy with, you may need to be prepared to apply next year, which is usually not a bad thing though.

[ihenry]

I don't think you need to have a score on file to send in your application, schools just won't look at it until you have a score. But if you are actually going to score higher, waiting is better. December isn't early, but it's not application-killing wait - lots of people apply then. If you check out the Q+A thread with Spivey et al in the Professionals forum, I think Karen Buttenbaum answered this question fairly recently.

I'm not sure if LSAC can "transmit" your profile to schools without a reportable LSAT because there is a checklist including LSAT score availability before you hit submit. But without a reportable LSAT your app will definitely never be in "Application Completed" status, which in effect means it is not submitted.

[yunjh1066]

^Thanks for the clarification. So there is a difference between applying now/indicate December retake vs. apply after Dec. score release?

Is this because my old scores being on the record without the new "high" score hurt my chances versus showing an improvement by having my December score on file?

Or is this just purely for my benefit just in case I don't do as well as I expected on December and decide not to apply for this cycle?


Sorry! I am just all of a sudden so confused.

[A. Nony Mouse]

I don't know that it makes any difference - if you tell schools you're taking in December and want them to consider that score, they won't look at the file until they have your score. If you have some reason why you want to submit sooner I don't think it will hurt you, it just won't get your file reviewed sooner and won't get you the benefit of an earlier application.

(If you apply with your old scores and don't indicate you're re-taking you run the risk of getting reviewed with those scores/being rejected/ranked lower than you otherwise might, and I think re-evaluating is going to be riskier than just waiting.)

[ihenry]

^Thanks for the clarification. So there is a difference between applying now/indicate December retake vs. apply after Dec. score release?

Is this because my old scores being on the record without the new "high" score hurt my chances versus showing an improvement by having my December score on file?

Or is this just purely for my benefit just in case I don't do as well as I expected on December and decide not to apply for this cycle?


Sorry! I am just all of a sudden so confused.

You now have two reasons for applying after December score is out so why not

ETA: why am I always a step late than the mod? Perhaps smartphone is not a great thing for multitasking...

[yunjh1066]

^ Haha, thanks to all of you!

Yes, I will wait until December since I am not even sure if I can score high enough that I want to apply this cycle. I am confident that I will score higher but not enough to get a good scholarship... :l(

Just to confirm, once you start your application, you are obligated to apply this cycle, correct? Otherwise, I could just start it and "cancel" my application but I think I saw that once you click to start, you HAVE to apply and no going-backs.

[ihenry]

Just to confirm, once you start your application, you are obligated to apply this cycle, correct? Otherwise, I could just start it and "cancel" my application but I think I saw that once you click to start, you HAVE to apply and no going-backs.

No no no no no no. I "started" and canceled back and forth multiple times, and even in the payment page (last step) I once closed the window, removed it from my cart, get my application back into "editable" state and canceled it. After you pay, however, you can't cancel from the LSAC portal nor school's tracker page. But you can still write to schools informing that you withdraw. They will happily take your money, throw your file into trash bin and say thank you welcome to apply to our school next year.

[crescentstars]

Post removed.