PSA: don't apply late to T14s Forum

[stego]

. . . Or, at least not right at the deadlines, like I did. I knew applying late hurts your chances in terms of admissions and scholarships, but I retook the SAT in February and because dumb/lazy I applied at the deadlines; what I learned is that it's absolutely FATAL to your chances.

I had a 3.9x and a 168 and every T14 I applied to waitlisted me except Georgetown, which rejected me. Waitlisted at Chicago, Columbia, NYU. (See my profile for the rest.) Only school I got into that I hadn't already gotten into was Texas.

I guess my message is save your money. I feel like I wasted the $300 or whatever it was on paying LSAC to send my applications.

It makes sense if you think about it. A school like Chicago has an incoming class of about 190. If you apply at their deadline, they have more than likely already made over 190 offers of admission, so the best they can do is waitlist you unless you're like the most amazing applicant they've ever seen.

Surprised at the GeorgeTTTTown rejection since they're barely even a T14 school, but I did an alumni interview for them so maybe I just suck at interviewing.

[Rigo]

Are you sitting out and applying early next cycle?

[Barack O'Drama]

How late would you consider "late"?

I am taking the LSAT in September, if I want to retake in December will my applications being submitted after I get the score back in January be too late for T14

I am a URM if that makes a difference. 3.9x GPA as well and no LSAT score yet. Studying for a 180 but will accept a 166+. Aiming for H


Also, Stego you have really good stats! Maybe sit out a cycle and then see what you get next fall when you can be one of the first applicants in. I guess it depends on your overall school goals. Does seem weird GeorgeTTTown did that? Must just be the case their slots were filled.

[Rigo]

How late would you consider "late"?
I am taking the LSAT in September, if I want to retake in December will my applications being submitted after I get the score back in January be too late for T14

Having your materials ready to go and submitting as soon as you get your score in early January isn't late. It's not early, but you should be fine.

Hopefully you knock it out of the park in September and this is all moot.

[Barack O'Drama]

How late would you consider "late"?
I am taking the LSAT in September, if I want to retake in December will my applications being submitted after I get the score back in January be too late for T14

Having your materials ready to go and submitting as soon as you get your score in early January isn't late. It's not early, but you should be fine.

Hopefully you knock it out of the park in September and this is all moot.

Cool. Thank you Rigo! I am hoping I get what I need but anything under a 165 I will probably retake so here's to a 180 haha

[foxes]

How late would you consider "late"?

I am taking the LSAT in September, if I want to retake in December will my applications being submitted after I get the score back in January be too late for T14

I am a URM if that makes a difference. 3.9x GPA as well and no LSAT score yet. Studying for a 180 but will accept a 166+. Aiming for H


Also, Stego you have really good stats! Maybe sit out a cycle and then see what you get next fall when you can be one of the first applicants in. I guess it depends on your overall school goals. Does seem weird GeorgeTTTown did that? Must just be the case their slots were filled.

i retook my sept lsat in dec then sent in my apps fairly soon after i received my score. got into h and had a normal cycle afaik. you'll be fine

[Barack O'Drama]

How late would you consider "late"?

I am taking the LSAT in September, if I want to retake in December will my applications being submitted after I get the score back in January be too late for T14

I am a URM if that makes a difference. 3.9x GPA as well and no LSAT score yet. Studying for a 180 but will accept a 166+. Aiming for H


Also, Stego you have really good stats! Maybe sit out a cycle and then see what you get next fall when you can be one of the first applicants in. I guess it depends on your overall school goals. Does seem weird GeorgeTTTown did that? Must just be the case their slots were filled.

i retook my sept lsat in dec then sent in my apps fairly soon after i received my score. got into h and had a normal cycle afaik. you'll be fine

Appreciate it Foxes! I just want the option if I need it, as I am very pro-retake and wait if you don't get what you want and need.

ETA: Sorry I meant Foxes --I fixed it

[stego]

Are you sitting out and applying early next cycle?

Yeah, for sure, for sure. Probably retaking in September as well. I would love to crack 170.

[Rigo]

Are you sitting out and applying early next cycle?

Yeah, for sure, for sure. Probably retaking in September as well. I would love to crack 170.

Good decision and good luck!

[flawedargument]

It's amazing how times have changed. I took the LSAT in June, got my score in July, got accepted at a bunch of T-14s with that July score (to start later that fall), and started in August. I guess I chose the right time to be an applicant! I learned that for about 10 of the top 14 schools, if they really, really want your #s, their is no application deadline...

Back on topic...sorry to hear about your experience. That said, I would *absolutely* have advised you anyway to: take a year off, retake the LSAT, get a 171-2 or higher, and enjoy H, S or CCN. You'll get into a better law school, and--if you pick a writing-heavy job--be more competitive in your class and potentially in your career. Look at this as an opportunity to start at an even better school.

[wilt]

yeah, I agree with this. I applied after getting my December score back and got waitlisted at 7 schools. even the school's I did get into were like in the final weeks of April with no time to negotiate.