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Hello TLS,

I need some convincing.

Currently deciding whether or not to commit to an offer I have now or to wait and retake.

I am a big reverse splitter (over 4.0 but very low 160's lsat) and I have highly unique soft factors. Unfortunately, I also applied quite late in the cycle (January/February)

This cycle I was waitlisted at 3 t6 schools and have over 60K scholarships offers from T20 schools. Great, but I am debt averse and would like a higher offer/shot at a t14. I

My concern is this: I turn down the schools to wait a year, potentially do worse on the LSAT, and get worse offers from those great schools (or worse, rejections). This retake would be my 3rd and final shot and I studied quite rigorously for the first go. However, I still ended up 4 points below where I was consistently PT'ing at.

Do I need to stop worrying and retake? Or is a bird in the hand worth two in the bush?

I don't know anything about birds or bushes but even if you score lower on the lsat the next time around, it really won't have a huge impact on your application, as most schools only consider your highest lsat score (that's the only one they're required to publish). If you think you can get it closer to 170, you would have some really good options.

If you're PTing above your actual score then retake! Worst case scenario you reapply with the same stats next year but you also add 1 year of WE/whatever to your already great softs (maybe you'll do something that could net you more money?). Idk your situation but I think someone who has "highly unique" softs can find something compelling to do for a year. It's hard for me to imagine a 4.0+/high 160s applicant with great softs not getting into a majority of the T14

Retake. Your concern about getting a worse score on the LSAT and that hurting you in some way is unfounded. Schools only care about your best score, so retaking can only help, never hurt. Plus, as noted above, adding a year of work experience to your resume could help.

Your GPA is too good not to do everything in your power to maximize your LSAT score. If you do, you'll be going to one of the best schools in the country, probably at a significant discount.

Alright,

I think I may push ahead and try for one more retake. I figure at the least getting my application in when the October score drops is early enough to help me out in comparison to how late I applied this year.

Retake. Don't waste that great GPA.

This is all what I needed. I can't think of a decent reason to not wait and reapply other than my unfounded fear that reapplying will somehow harm me.

Don't cheat yourself either, it's a freaking multiple choice test and it's not on rocket science, the goal should be 180, not 165. You seriously shouldn't settle.

RZ5646 wrote:Retake. Don't waste that great GPA.

This. You can do it OP!

Its been years, but I wanted to follow up and say this advice changed my life probably.

I reapplied with a retake and had scholarships up to the T6. I took Georgetown at close to a full ride and am now graduating with honors.

For anyone still lurking, thank you!