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Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:07 pm
by Skyhook
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Re: Third time lucky? Third time necessary?

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:12 pm
by Anaconda
No offense but you have a 0.0% chance at Yale, I'm pretty sure they'd disqualify you for having a 163 and/or 166, their admissions process is brutal. Even though you have a Phd which is extremely impressive, it isn't enough, and your UG G.P.A. is pretty low for Yale. You can still get into several T-14's.

But retake, you're clearly able to hit 170+.
Skyhook wrote:Some info first:
Self study with real LSAT materials.

LSAT in Dec '09 - 163
Practice scores: 155, 162, 161, 163, 162, 162, 171, 167, 169, 166, 165, 167, 164, 170, 161(!)
Average - 164 (Args 80%, Games 81%, Reading 84%)

Retook in June '10 - 166
Practice scores: 170, 164, 168, 166, 172, 169, 165, 176, 168, 171, 176, 169, 165, 175, 176, 178, 174, 174, 171, 170, 171, 170
Average - 171 (Args 86%, Games 93%, Reading 90%)

I'm sure you can understand my disappointment! I thought I'd hit at least 170 in the exam. Outside factors may have played a part, such as a hostile working environment from the end of April. And also having to sit in my chair and wait 90 minutes before I could start the test because the center was so disorganized, people filing past me and blabbering about how cool it was to be taking the test at the same time. My zen like trance wasn't up to scratch that day but I remained as calm and focused as I could.

I'm 33, white, male, non-US citizen.
BSc in Chemistry (~3.65 GPA, non-US uni)
PhD in Chemistry
Travelled and worked a bit, not always in Chemistry
Lived in US for last 3 years.

I'm aiming for Yale, my head is grounded. I'm working very hard on personal statement. 1 definite academic LOR from PhD supervisor, no other confirmed LORs... yet!

Will be teaching chemistry 3 or 4 days a week from the end of August until mid December. 1 hr commute each way to work.

Do I retake the LSAT in December?
If I do, what should I do to max my chances. Self-study is the only way for me ($$$ too tight to mention).

Re: Third time lucky? Third time necessary?

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:42 pm
by Skyhook
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Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:09 pm
by Skyhook
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Re: Third time lucky? Third time necessary?

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:16 pm
by dub
Skyhook wrote:After some prodding from the wife, what about October retake?

Currently 10 weeks away.
Should have more time to study due to lay off.
Seems like a goer....
You're obviously intelligent and can do very well; so study like hell.

Re: Third time lucky? Third time necessary?

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:23 pm
by vespertiliovir
Study hard, stay calm during the test, and you'll do great -- a score about 5 points higher would open a lot of t14 doors for you.
Also:
Anaconda wrote:No offense but you have a 0.0% chance at Yale
+1

Re: Third time lucky? Third time necessary?

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:31 am
by Skyhook
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Re: Third time lucky? Third time necessary?

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:39 am
by 3|ink
Screw Yale.

Re: Third time lucky? Third time necessary?

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 12:04 pm
by TommyK
Well, you might have a shot at Yale - On the off-chance, aside from having your Ph.D. in chemistry, are you a professional poker player?

http://abovethelaw.com/2009/04/career-a ... aw-school/

Oh, or did you happen to write a best-selling memoir, detailing your drug use and promiscuous sex?

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/28/fashi ... rtzel.html

If so, you have a shot. Also, I bet if you end up curing cancer in the next month or two, they might let you in the backdoor.

Best of luck.

Re: Third time lucky? Third time necessary?

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 1:24 pm
by Voyager
Skyhook wrote:Some info first:
Self study with real LSAT materials.

LSAT in Dec '09 - 163
Practice scores: 155, 162, 161, 163, 162, 162, 171, 167, 169, 166, 165, 167, 164, 170, 161(!)
Average - 164 (Args 80%, Games 81%, Reading 84%)

Retook in June '10 - 166
Practice scores: 170, 164, 168, 166, 172, 169, 165, 176, 168, 171, 176, 169, 165, 175, 176, 178, 174, 174, 171, 170, 171, 170
Average - 171 (Args 86%, Games 93%, Reading 90%)

I'm sure you can understand my disappointment! I thought I'd hit at least 170 in the exam. Outside factors may have played a part, such as a hostile working environment from the end of April. And also having to sit in my chair and wait 90 minutes before I could start the test because the center was so disorganized, people filing past me and blabbering about how cool it was to be taking the test at the same time. My zen like trance wasn't up to scratch that day but I remained as calm and focused as I could.

I'm 33, white, male, non-US citizen.
BSc in Chemistry (~3.65 GPA, non-US uni)
PhD in Chemistry
Travelled and worked a bit, not always in Chemistry
Lived in US for last 3 years.

I'm aiming for Yale, my head is grounded. I'm working very hard on personal statement. 1 definite academic LOR from PhD supervisor, no other confirmed LORs... yet!

Will be teaching chemistry 3 or 4 days a week from the end of August until mid December. 1 hr commute each way to work.

Do I retake the LSAT in December?
If I do, what should I do to max my chances. Self-study is the only way for me ($$$ too tight to mention).
STOP. Be honest: what are you going to do differently on this run at the test?

Your GPA is weak for Yale. You want to go from a 166 to over 174? Possible, but it requires dedication. Your current approach IS NOT WORKING.

Your study plan looks poor. You need to your studying by problem and section type. Go see my study guide or one of the other posted guides.

Re: Third time lucky? Third time necessary?

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:10 pm
by Skyhook
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Re: Third time lucky? Third time necessary?

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:13 pm
by TommyK
Skyhook wrote: As there is no "cure" for cancer that ain't gonna happen either.
Pfft, maybe not with that attitude :wink: