DECEMBER 2014 WAITERS Forum

[Porkypots]

Woke up feeling like I had the worst hangover ever. Can someone over the age of 25 reassure me that waiting for next cycle isn't the end of the world?

It's not the end of the world. In fact, it's a wise choice.

Yep, definitely not. I'm 29 and just applying now!

Thank you! I am trying to stay open minded and flexible.

congrats rigo on your score!

[americangirl1993]

First time taker, long time lurker. Scored a 168 (literally exactly where I'd been scoring on PTs leading up to the December test). High GPA, solid everything, shooting for T14 but applying next cycle. I'm debating retaking, but I wouldn't be able to retake till October based on various other factors. Thoughts?

If you're gonna wait anyway definitely retake.

I took it early (I'm a junior) hence why I'm waiting. 168 was my average on PTs leading up to the test, and I'm not sure what else to do to break that 170. Plus I have a chronic illness, and I just happened to have a good day in December. That could very easily change.

[Smallville]

First time taker, long time lurker. Scored a 168 (literally exactly where I'd been scoring on PTs leading up to the December test). High GPA, solid everything, shooting for T14 but applying next cycle. I'm debating retaking, but I wouldn't be able to retake till October based on various other factors. Thoughts?

If you're gonna wait anyway definitely retake.

I took it early (I'm a junior) hence why I'm waiting. 168 was my average on PTs leading up to the test, and I'm not sure what else to do to break that 170. Plus I have a chronic illness, and I just happened to have a good day in December. That could very easily change.

again you have a huge amount of time to progress, your at a common plateau and just need it to click and youll break through, again retaking wont hurt you, you can only improve or nothing

[Shakawkaw]

Rigo just go up by 11 pts like GT did and you'll be 178 no problem.

Trick was to find an attractive person to review PTs with IMO.

This is absolutely the reason for my improvement. TLSers should all begin drilling each other as a matter of policy.

TY for recognizing that I should be taking all of the credit for your 99th percentile score.

And to think you almost postponed!

[mike0331]

Still bummed over this 165 as I was PTing in the 170s, but its at or abive the 75th for all my schools but two.

Worst case I'd take another year off I guess.

[nosocat]

Great job on that RC tho, Rigo! Definitely a very good first score.

Thank you. It sucks because I was so close yet so far.
Everybody read the perfume passage for a pick me up.

You have been very kind and helpful to many people on this forum and I'm confident that you'll be rewarded soon. Just keep plugging away and I'm sure you'll meet your goals.

I second this. Many responses were helpful to me, even when I wasn't the one asking the question.

[IsThisForReal]

How did we get through an entire wait without being lounged?

TL;DR: We are so boring guyss.

[koala-fy]

Rigo, great job!! Seriously, awesome.

Woke up this morning feeling like last night was just a bad dream. Nope, it's real. Ugh. Time for retail therapy.

[santoki]

Post removed.

[leslieknope]

LSAC appears to have reuploaded the test, for those of you who had Sept last night. I have the right one now.

[jw316]

LSAC appears to have reuploaded the test, for those of you who had Sept last night. I have the right one now.

Yup mine too. My score is accurate but alas that's why I didn't get my hopes up for anything more than the wrong document.

It's off-putting that there's like practically no solid info for me to go by in terms of odds of admissions, like no "hey this guy was my numbers twin, yeah our softs are different but at least I kind of have an idea of odds of admission/rejection." It really is just this big box with a question mark on it, at least for me personally, when I look at my info and compare it to what's out there (LSN, PM'ing people, etc.)

I know TLS isn't necessarily a representative sample but I'm thinking I'm going to throw my hat in and still apply this cycle at my top 3 schools/maybe one or 2 more. My lease is up in August so if I don't get in at one of my schools for this cycle then definitely need to figure out job stuff/living situation and study for a retake

[MadwomanintheAttic]

LSAC appears to have reuploaded the test, for those of you who had Sept last night. I have the right one now.

Yup mine too. My score is accurate but alas that's why I didn't get my hopes up for anything more than the wrong document.

It's off-putting that there's like practically no solid info for me to go by in terms of odds of admissions, like no "hey this guy was my numbers twin, yeah our softs were different but at least I kind of have an idea of odds of admission." It really is just this big box with a question mark on it, at least for me personally, when I look at my info and compare it to what's out there (LSN, PM'ing people, etc.)

I know TLS isn't necessarily a representative sample but I'm thinking I'm going to throw my hat in and still apply this cycle at my top 3 schools/maybe one or 2 more. My lease is up in August so if I don't get in at one of my schools for this cycle then definitely need to figure out job stuff/living situation and study for a retake

JW this is pretty much my plan as well. I submitted my apps today and I'm hoping for the best, but I also think I'll start prepping for June. I got the exact same score in December as I did in September despite being so much more calm and confident. And there's also hardly anyone on mylsn with my exact stats, so it's truly a toss up. I just hope my essays and LORs will be compelling. Somebody like me... please

[leslieknope]

Same here. Hoping for the best, but I'm going into it basically thinking that if I don't get the outcome I want this cycle with my current numbers, I'm retaking and reapplying with new numbers. No compromises. We got this, guys.

[bretby]

Same here. Hoping for the best, but I'm going into it basically thinking that if I don't get the outcome I want this cycle with my current numbers, I'm retaking and reapplying with new numbers. No compromises. We got this, guys.

At some point though I think we have to come to the realization that "if you study hard enough you can get a 175" is marketing/wishful thinking. Some people will just never crack 160 or 165 or 172 or whatever their personal ceiling is. Not saying one should just throw in the towel, but being realistic about one's limitations is important too.

[peger]

Same here. Hoping for the best, but I'm going into it basically thinking that if I don't get the outcome I want this cycle with my current numbers, I'm retaking and reapplying with new numbers. No compromises. We got this, guys.

I'm thinking about doing the same thing. Do we need a new set of LORs if we apply two cycles in a row?

[ub3r]

When a school asks for Standardized Testing in the app itself, do I need to put both of my LSAT dates and scores, or can I just put my best score?

[Shadow252]

Same here. Hoping for the best, but I'm going into it basically thinking that if I don't get the outcome I want this cycle with my current numbers, I'm retaking and reapplying with new numbers. No compromises. We got this, guys.

At some point though I think we have to come to the realization that "if you study hard enough you can get a 175" is marketing/wishful thinking. Some people will just never crack 160 or 165 or 172 or whatever their personal ceiling is. Not saying one should just throw in the towel, but being realistic about one's limitations is important too.

I don't think it's wishful, I think the biggest issue is controlling nerves and not overthinking while taking the test. That really helped when I was taking PTs, and on the day of the actual test.

[MadwomanintheAttic]

Same here. Hoping for the best, but I'm going into it basically thinking that if I don't get the outcome I want this cycle with my current numbers, I'm retaking and reapplying with new numbers. No compromises. We got this, guys.

At some point though I think we have to come to the realization that "if you study hard enough you can get a 175" is marketing/wishful thinking. Some people will just never crack 160 or 165 or 172 or whatever their personal ceiling is. Not saying one should just throw in the towel, but being realistic about one's limitations is important too.

Agreed we should be realistic. But in my case I'm so close to my goal score I can taste it. I needed 9 more correct answers and that would've made all the difference. I feel like I'm so close. I don't want to settle. I'm hoping schools take pity on me this cycle, but if not I'm hoping I can re-group for June.

[nosocat]

Same here. Hoping for the best, but I'm going into it basically thinking that if I don't get the outcome I want this cycle with my current numbers, I'm retaking and reapplying with new numbers. No compromises. We got this, guys.

At some point though I think we have to come to the realization that "if you study hard enough you can get a 175" is marketing/wishful thinking. Some people will just never crack 160 or 165 or 172 or whatever their personal ceiling is. Not saying one should just throw in the towel, but being realistic about one's limitations is important too.

I don't think it's wishful, I think the biggest issue is controlling nerves and not overthinking while taking the test. That really helped when I was taking PTs, and on the day of the actual test.

There's also an element of luck. Sometimes a test just clicks, at least for me, and I'll do much better than my average. It didn't happen for me in December, but it's probably worth one more shot in February to see if I get lucky.

[frozennoodle]

Ok, this is a weird question. If I apply now and then retake and February would I be able to amend my application after a decision has already been made?

[Rigo]

[Shadow252]

Same here. Hoping for the best, but I'm going into it basically thinking that if I don't get the outcome I want this cycle with my current numbers, I'm retaking and reapplying with new numbers. No compromises. We got this, guys.

At some point though I think we have to come to the realization that "if you study hard enough you can get a 175" is marketing/wishful thinking. Some people will just never crack 160 or 165 or 172 or whatever their personal ceiling is. Not saying one should just throw in the towel, but being realistic about one's limitations is important too.

I don't think it's wishful, I think the biggest issue is controlling nerves and not overthinking while taking the test. That really helped when I was taking PTs, and on the day of the actual test.

There's also an element of luck. Sometimes a test just clicks, at least for me, and I'll do much better than my average. It didn't happen for me in December, but it's probably worth one more shot in February to see if I get lucky.

That is definitely true. I agree that luck is involved as well. I just don't agree that it is impossible, especially because it doesn't test actual memorized knowledge like the MCAT

[leslieknope]

Same here. Hoping for the best, but I'm going into it basically thinking that if I don't get the outcome I want this cycle with my current numbers, I'm retaking and reapplying with new numbers. No compromises. We got this, guys.

I'm thinking about doing the same thing. Do we need a new set of LORs if we apply two cycles in a row?

I can't tell from this: Please note that recommendations already on file need not be duplicated. Applications for the Fall of 2012, 2013, and 2014 have been retained.

Does that mean we don't need new ones if we already have two on file, or does 3 on their list mean we do?

Edit: Ann Levine says you don't need new letters in the comments to this post, so it probably just means we need to get them any new/employer from gap year letters. Worth checking with adcoms, though.

[nosocat]

That is definitely true. I agree that luck is involved as well. I just don't agree that it is impossible, especially because it doesn't test actual memorized knowledge like the MCAT

Totally agree. That's why I am giving it another try.

[lovepink88]

Serious question: Is your form number/test form serial number on your answer sheet supposed to match the form number they have posted under the disclosure books they have posted in your LSAC account?

My bf's score was sooo much lower than any practice test he's ever taken. It's unbelievable