Several questions regarding taking a year off... Forum

[DuctBrandTape]

I have an LSAT score in the upper 160's right now with a very strong GPA. I've applied broadly to many schools from the T-14 down to see what my options are, and I'm now considering several different things.

If I do re-take in June, I was wondering how it would affect this year's cycle. For example, let's say I get admitted to a school I really like, but still want to aim for 170+ for scholarship opportunity/possibly better acceptances the next cycle. How would schools who have already accepted me view the fact that I'm retaking in June, 2 months before I would be attending law school? Would they rescind offer, etc.? Also, would I be able to say "commit" to a school by putting a deposit down, re-taking, and either A. attending the school if I don't like my new score or B. withdrawing if the score is much better?

Also, how would schools that have already accepted me view my application if I sit out a year and apply to them yet again? Would there be a negative against me since I'd already been accepted, yet retook and reapplied?

I understand a lot of this is tl;dr, but I would appreciate any and all input with this tough decision!

[DuctBrandTape]

Hm... nothing?

[lawschooliseasy]

I wondered how retaking would affect a current acceptance myself.

At most schools reapplying the next year will not substantially change your chances one way or another. Of course if your LSAT is higher, you'll be in a better position.

[homestyle28]

Much of what follows is speculation. I deferred this year for family reasons. In order for the deferral to be granted I was REQUIRED to put down the same seat deposits as a matriculating student. While these will go to tuition, if in the year off, I were to change my mind I'm out $1500. To your finaid question. I am also required to re-apply for aid. They will compare me with this cycle's class (as opposed to last year's) and base decisions on that. So far as I know, there's nothing stopping me from retaking the LSAT an hoping for more $$. The job I took for this year off, I hope will appear better as far as scholly competition goes too. Of course, they already have a pretty strong commitment from me, so they have less recruiting incentive to doll out the big bucks. I don't recall if, in the course of requesting the deferral I agreed to withdraw my other applications, but I don't think I was required to do so.

hth.

[The Gentleman]

I could only answer two of those questions.

If I do re-take in June, I was wondering how it would affect this year's cycle. For example, let's say I get admitted to a school I really like, but still want to aim for 170+ for scholarship opportunity/possibly better acceptances the next cycle

Nearly all of their scholarship $$$ will have been doled out by June. If you really want to be in a better position for $$$, then retake in Dec.

Would there be a negative against me since I'd already been accepted, yet retook and reapplied?

It's not a big deal to reapply to a school that rejected or waitlisted you in a previous cycle. However, reapplying to a school where you were admitted but chose not to attend is another story. I would imagine you would have some serious addendum writing to do.

These exact questions were answered in TLS's interview with Dean Zearfoss of Michigan Law.

http://www.top-law-schools.com/sarah-ze ... rview.html

[DuctBrandTape]

So all the acceptances I would get this cycle would have to be explained if I applied the next cycle? Would an addendum explaining I wanted to take a year off to work/do service be sufficient to explain that?