Top Law Schools

Hello all, I will give you a condensed version of the story. I want to practice in NY, particularly big law but it's not an end all if it doesn't happen. I currently have a full ride at BLS, but I know all about its prospects (or lack thereof). My question is should I retake for a shot at a better NY school or is it too much of a crap shoot as my GPA is below 3.2. I just don't want to end up with the same options as this cycle or fordham with debt as my best options next year. Thoughts?

1) you should give us your current LSAT.

2) you should retake.

OP, you've asked this question, but with your experience in these parts, you know the answer.

You have to retake. There's no other option.

fliptrip wrote:OP, you've asked this question, but with your experience in these parts, you know the answer.

You have to retake. There's no other option.

I am just concerned because of my GPA, that I would need an astronomical score (170+) to make a difference in my admission cycle. At best I would be a splitter for Fordham/Cornell/NYU, so I am just concerned about my odds even with a retake.

tezzeret wrote:

fliptrip wrote:OP, you've asked this question, but with your experience in these parts, you know the answer.

You have to retake. There's no other option.

I am just concerned because of my GPA, that I would need an astronomical score (170+) to make a difference in my admission cycle. At best I would be a splitter for Fordham/Cornell/NYU, so I am just concerned about my odds even with a retake.

170+ is not astronomical. You've gotten this far, you can get that far. Don't cheat yourself out of a lifetime of better opportunities.

I'm going to jump in on this because I've been asking myself about a retake and don't want to start another thread. When I took the LSAT, I misread the word 'Tuesday' for 'Thursday' in a logic game rule, and punted a few points. I am still salty about this.

I am thinking of doing a June retake, because I know I can do better, and the general wisdom around these parts seems to be "if you can retake and score higher, you should." On the other hand, I did get a 173 and I'm in at UVa (which is a great school that I am incredibly happy going to). It will be a time investment to get back into LSAT shape, it's not guaranteed I will score better, and what will getting a higher score in July really do for me.

Is there a reason to retake in June? What are the thoughts from the crowd?

If it makes a difference, I'm a splitter with a lowish uGPA.

173 seems like a risky retake to me. Sure, they may only count the highest score but I'm not sure it is worth the investment of time.

Seems like you'd be approaching the limit of diminishing returns if you already have a 173, especially if you're a splitter (though I guess it depends on how low a "lowish" GPA is). If you have a terrible GPA, I can't imagine that you'd see much of a difference with a 175 over a 173. But if you know you can do more than a couple points better and have the time to spend on studying, why not retake?

gamerish wrote:Seems like you'd be approaching the limit of diminishing returns if you already have a 173, especially if you're a splitter (though I guess it depends on how low a "lowish" GPA is). If you have a terrible GPA, I can't imagine that you'd see much of a difference with a 175 over a 173. But if you know you can do more than a couple points better and have the time to spend on studying, why not retake?

This sounds very right to me. Even if you get to 177+, will you realistically get better outcomes?

gamerish wrote:Seems like you'd be approaching the limit of diminishing returns if you already have a 173, especially if you're a splitter (though I guess it depends on how low a "lowish" GPA is). If you have a terrible GPA, I can't imagine that you'd see much of a difference with a 175 over a 173. But if you know you can do more than a couple points better and have the time to spend on studying, why not retake?

If he needs to wait another year to do so, it's a terrible idea to retake.

Eta: If he doesn't have to wait another year, it's probably just not worth it.

FuturePanhandler wrote:

gamerish wrote:Seems like you'd be approaching the limit of diminishing returns if you already have a 173, especially if you're a splitter (though I guess it depends on how low a "lowish" GPA is). If you have a terrible GPA, I can't imagine that you'd see much of a difference with a 175 over a 173. But if you know you can do more than a couple points better and have the time to spend on studying, why not retake?

If he needs to wait another year to do so, it's a terrible idea to retake.

Eta: If he doesn't have to wait another year, it's probably just not worth it.

Why? Does he have a set expiration date that's quickly approaching?

He's considering taking in June which means he's most likely talking about reapplying next cycle. If he came up with the idea himself rather than being prompted by TLSers to retake, I imagine he's got at least a vague plan of what he'd do in the meantime besides studying. If he can get an extra year of WE on top of a few more LSAT points, I'd call it a positive all around.

If he has a good deal of money at UVA or another school he'd like (or a rich parent who will fund him at whatever school he decides to go to), retaking certainly loses its appeal but he didn't say anything about that so I assume it's not the case.

drblakedowns wrote:I'm going to jump in on this because I've been asking myself about a retake and don't want to start another thread. When I took the LSAT, I misread the word 'Tuesday' for 'Thursday' in a logic game rule, and punted a few points. I am still salty about this.

I am thinking of doing a June retake, because I know I can do better, and the general wisdom around these parts seems to be "if you can retake and score higher, you should." On the other hand, I did get a 173 and I'm in at UVa (which is a great school that I am incredibly happy going to). It will be a time investment to get back into LSAT shape, it's not guaranteed I will score better, and what will getting a higher score in July really do for me.

Is there a reason to retake in June? What are the thoughts from the crowd?

If it makes a difference, I'm a splitter with a lowish uGPA.

Thx for hijacking thread.

Tez, we didn't forget you...advice is still retake. Don't go to BLS...you've got the employment stats, which you know, but also because of how their scholarships are structured with stips, you don't even have cost certainty. Don't do it.

tezzeret wrote: Thx for hijacking thread.

Sorry about that. I had the same question, so I figured some of the advice would be universal, and having it in one place would be a good thing.

gamerish wrote:

FuturePanhandler wrote:

gamerish wrote:Seems like you'd be approaching the limit of diminishing returns if you already have a 173, especially if you're a splitter (though I guess it depends on how low a "lowish" GPA is). If you have a terrible GPA, I can't imagine that you'd see much of a difference with a 175 over a 173. But if you know you can do more than a couple points better and have the time to spend on studying, why not retake?

If he needs to wait another year to do so, it's a terrible idea to retake.

Eta: If he doesn't have to wait another year, it's probably just not worth it.

Why? Does he have a set expiration date that's quickly approaching?

He's considering taking in June which means he's most likely talking about reapplying next cycle. If he came up with the idea himself rather than being prompted by TLSers to retake, I imagine he's got at least a vague plan of what he'd do in the meantime besides studying. If he can get an extra year of WE on top of a few more LSAT points, I'd call it a positive all around.

If he has a good deal of money at UVA or another school he'd like (or a rich parent who will fund him at whatever school he decides to go to), retaking certainly loses its appeal but he didn't say anything about that so I assume it's not the case.

He'd have to do astronomically better and get a TON of additional money to make up for the lost year of income. So unless he's got a good job now, it's probably not financially better to wait a year, assuming he's going one way or another.

drblakedowns wrote:

tezzeret wrote: Thx for hijacking thread.

Sorry about that. I had the same question, so I figured some of the advice would be universal, and having it in one place would be a good thing.

I'm just kidding, it's all good. I'm glad this thread could help others.