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I've decided to retake the LSAT in Dec. I've heard a lot of conflicting opinions about applying in January. Some say it's too late all together, some say it's not too late to get accepted but too late for scholarship opportunities, and some say that it's not late whatsoever. Opinions?

Some people are applying in Fall 2016 with the February LSAT...depends on the school, though...

bnssweeney wrote:I've decided to retake the LSAT in Dec. I've heard a lot of conflicting opinions about applying in January. Some say it's too late all together, some say it's not too late to get accepted but too late for scholarship opportunities, and some say that it's not late whatsoever. Opinions?

It's not TOO late, but it is late, and it lowers your prospects - statistically speaking. But it doesn't lower your prospects tremendously. From what I've read, applying in January is like applying with 1 or 2 less points on the LSAT: yeah, it hurts you, but it doesn't kill you. It's not a kind of difference where you should wait until the next cycle, and it isn't the kind of difference where you should forget about a December retake.

I've also heard you can "apply" but indicate that you do not want them to consider your application until you get your Dec scores back. But then what is the point of applying early if you don't want them to even look at your file?

Last year I applied nearly everywhere after January and received great offers for my numbers. With application numbers down, schools aren't as finicky with later applicants. Late applicants seem to fair well when admissions are down. Also, negotiate the hell out of any offer.

My applications went out in March and I don't think it hurt me. You should be fine applying in January.

bnssweeney wrote:I've also heard you can "apply" but indicate that you do not want them to consider your application until you get your Dec scores back. But then what is the point of applying early if you don't want them to even look at your file?

I think it's just that schools will have processed the rest of your application prior to the December LSAT and may review the file a bit sooner than other Dec LSAT applicants who submit after the test.

If you don't get good offers just reapply

Spivey and crew have addressed this question a few times in their thread.

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=197451

Short answer, it is not likely to be an issue.