LSAT and Law School timeline advice Forum

[socalguy]

Just some info so you and future interns can have a soft copy to reference:

Law School Application Prep:
1) Create an account on http://www.lsac.org/
2) Helpful blog to read up on - http://www.top-law-schools.com/
3) Get letters of recommendation and send school transcripts to LSAC
4) Read personal statements/diversity statements from TLS blog and other sources. Write both at least 2-3 months before submitting application and edit thoroughly. I went through 14 drafts.

LSAT PREP:
1) http://blueprintlsat.com/?gclid=CNbL6L6 ... gQodLEcIiw
2) http://blueprintlsat.com/lsat/books/
3) https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywo ... tdlpztmh_b

For Feb 2017 LSAT
1) Purchase blueprint LSAT books (Logic Games / Reading Comprehension)
A) Study throughout Summer minimum 4-6 hours a week

2) Sign up for On-Site Class Course Fall (for Dec LSAT)
A) Increase study hours, at least 10 hours per week
B) Finish all homework
C) Download the extra practice tests on their website for future use.
D) (optional) Purchase past LSAT tests through Amazon and take throughout time before actual test.

3) Between December and February Study on own
A) I would recommend purchasing Blueprint's online option, so you can still have access to their tests and questions via the website
B) Take 2-3 tests a week minimum.
I) Eg. Day 1 - Test (Under test conditions, advisable to practice at testing location)
II) Day 2 - Score Test and review all wrong answers and questions that were hard
III) Day 3 - Rest
IV) Repeat up to day of test. Day before test do not study, rest. You have already studied enough and any prep the day before will not help. Maybe visit the testing location and have lunch there.
C) Throughout these weeks of testing, review specific sections or questions you have issues with.

I would not start studying heavily until 5 weeks before the LSAT test.
You do not want to peak early and burn out.

My experience:
Testmasters Online Course Spring 2014
Blueprint On-Site Class Course Fall (for Dec LSAT) 2014
Blueprint On-Site Class Course Spring (for June LSAT) 2015
I took about 30 tests throughout the 5 months before my test date in June, with the bulk of them in my final month in May before the actual test.
During my final three weeks, my scores ranged between 169 - 176
June 2015 LSAT - 171
Applied HLS and SLS, withdrew SLS after accepting HLS.

Try to think of the LSAT as a way for you to learn a new skill. Lots of studies have shown that people who study for the LSAT become smarter in general than their peers who study for other tests. It's really for your own benefit.

Good luck studying and have fun with it!

--SoCalGuy
Harvard Law School Class of 2020