Advice on getting approved for a 5th LSAT take Forum

[refusetolose]

I've taken the LSAT 4 times. Ultimately I got into my dream school at sticker and have committed to them for Fall 2012. I will 100% be attending.

However, I'm confident I'd be considered for a scholarship IF I raised my LSAT score. LSAC's rules have changed and I would need them to approve me taking the test a 5th time. The school isn't allowed to approve it anymore.

For significant extenuating circumstances, exceptions to this policy may be made by LSAC. To request an exception, submit a signed, detailed explanation addressing the circumstances that you feel make you eligible to retake the LSAT and specify the date that you wish to test.

I'm going to be upfront and tell them I've committed to a school and am retaking for scholarship consideration. Should I also say I'm retaking because I encountered poor testing conditions during all of my tests (which is true)? What would improve my chances of being allowed to retake?

*edited

[Bildungsroman]

Either way they're not going to approve it.

[Jeffort]

If you decide to petition for approval to take the test again, DO NOT tell any lies to LSAC or misrepresent anything. Dishonesty in the LS admissions process is a big no-no that could backfire on you in big bad ways down the road.

Be honest if you decide to petition to get permission to take it again. Also, complaining about imperfect test day conditions, especially with good scores on your record and an acceptance will most likely be laughed at and/or fall on deaf ears and get a quick denial of the petition.

[RCinDNA]

I'm curious: What happens if you score lower on the next test? Would they re-assess your application?

[Ohiobumpkin]

You almost certainly would not get any scholarship money. They based their scholarship based off the GPA and highest/averaged LSAT score you used in your application. They wouldn't give a damn if you received a higher or lower score after the fact. They already accepted you with your current stats, the stats they will have to report to magazine rankings.

[ngogirl]

You almost certainly would not get any scholarship money. They based their scholarship based off the GPA and highest/averaged LSAT score you used in your application. They wouldn't give a damn if you received a higher or lower score after the fact. They already accepted you with your current stats, the stats they will have to report to magazine rankings.

I absolutely LOVE your avatar!!

[Ohiobumpkin]

You almost certainly would not get any scholarship money. They based their scholarship based off the GPA and highest/averaged LSAT score you used in your application. They wouldn't give a damn if you received a higher or lower score after the fact. They already accepted you with your current stats, the stats they will have to report to magazine rankings.

I absolutely LOVE your avatar!!

Thank you. Yours is pretty cute to.

[clarified_butter]

I'm thinking the same thing too. I mean, the OP can try and ask LSAC for a 5th time (it never hurts to ask)...but I really doubt they will agree. I would personally cut my losses and get ready to pay the sticker price. Sorry OP

Either way they're not going to approve it.

[suspicious android]

They already accepted you with your current stats, the stats they will have to report to magazine rankings.

Cite for this? It's contrary to what I've read, and what makes sense. People frequently retake and have their applications reconsidered for scholarship reasons.

Oh, and since they changed the extra LSAT approval process, I haven't heard about too many people using it. It used to be really easy to get an extra LSAT, it may have changed, but not sure on what basis people are claiming it's so unlikely.

[Ohiobumpkin]

They already accepted you with your current stats, the stats they will have to report to magazine rankings.

Cite for this? It's contrary to what I've read, and what makes sense. People frequently retake and have their applications reconsidered for scholarship reasons.

Oh, and since they changed the extra LSAT approval process, I haven't heard about too many people using it. It used to be really easy to get an extra LSAT, it may have changed, but not sure on what basis people are claiming it's so unlikely.

Other than Cooley's website, I found no other LSAC, law school, or any other source detailing what you just wrote. I could quite possibly be wrong, but I doubt most schools would really care if somebody retook the LSAT after already being admitted. Can you provide links to any documents claiming otherwise?

[Jeffort]

They already accepted you with your current stats, the stats they will have to report to magazine rankings.

Cite for this? It's contrary to what I've read, and what makes sense. People frequently retake and have their applications reconsidered for scholarship reasons.

Oh, and since they changed the extra LSAT approval process, I haven't heard about too many people using it. It used to be really easy to get an extra LSAT, it may have changed, but not sure on what basis people are claiming it's so unlikely.

Other than Cooley's website, I found no other LSAC, law school, or any other source detailing what you just wrote. I could quite possibly be wrong, but I doubt most schools would really care if somebody retook the LSAT after already being admitted. Can you provide links to any documents claiming otherwise?

Suspicious androids statement is anecdotal, but I've also heard instances of it occurring before, some directly from a student, some through gossip and chatter (many people post a lot of blow by blow personal details on the boards during their application cycle).

The cases of a re-take after accepted leading to a benefit I'm aware of occurred with people that applied with a June or October score and then re-took the next test (Oct or Dec) so that the score was reported while the decision cycle was in the early stages. Scholarship $$ is typically handed out/offered and then depleted early in the cycle. By the time February LSAT scores are released there will probably not be much of it left.

[CanadianWolf]

OP: This is an interesting idea. Please keep us informed as to LSAC's decision.

[JamMasterJ]

They already accepted you with your current stats, the stats they will have to report to magazine rankings.

Cite for this? It's contrary to what I've read, and what makes sense. People frequently retake and have their applications reconsidered for scholarship reasons.

Oh, and since they changed the extra LSAT approval process, I haven't heard about too many people using it. It used to be really easy to get an extra LSAT, it may have changed, but not sure on what basis people are claiming it's so unlikely.

Other than Cooley's website, I found no other LSAC, law school, or any other source detailing what you just wrote. I could quite possibly be wrong, but I doubt most schools would really care if somebody retook the LSAT after already being admitted. Can you provide links to any documents claiming otherwise?

they report your stats on an arbitrary date when the class is "locked in," which is usually August 1st or the first day of orientation or the first day of class. College seniors' gpa's are reported after graduation, not with what the student applies with, and I'm certain the same applies with LSAT scores. Since this poster is really far from when the adcomms report stats, if something changes, it will be considered in a similar way to the fact that waitlisted applicants can retake the LSAT and have it considered.

That said, I doubt you will get 5 takes in two years

[Jeffort]

That said, I doubt you will get 5 takes in two years

[seahawk32]

Five times? Good God, I could only stand to take it once.

[Ohiobumpkin]

I guess I hadn't thought too hard about the exact timing. But, I agree with what has already been stated by a few thus far, you are still very unlikely to get approval for a fifth administration anyway. Congratulations on getting into your first pick though OP, even if it is at sticker price!

[bp shinners]

It used to be really easy to get an extra LSAT, it may have changed, but not sure on what basis people are claiming it's so unlikely.

Based on anecdotal evidence, in which the vast majority of people here who have tried to get a waiver were denied (as well as students in our classes).

Also, I spoke directly with someone at LSAC about the process, and, while less that forthcoming with information, the distinct impression I got was that the days of many retakes are over.

[Jeffort]

It used to be really easy to get an extra LSAT, it may have changed, but not sure on what basis people are claiming it's so unlikely.

Based on anecdotal evidence, in which the vast majority of people here who have tried to get a waiver were denied (as well as students in our classes).

Also, I spoke directly with someone at LSAC about the process, and, while less that forthcoming with information, the distinct impression I got was that the days of many retakes are over.

That's the same impression I've formed from speaking with LSAC and admissions personnel from several law schools.

It appears that law schools admissions committees and offices were frustrated by and got fed up with students that have been treating the LSAT like playing roulette/craps or some other casino game of random chance.

One of the frustrations admissions officers and staff have expressed to me in conversations going back more than this cycle has been difficulty figuring out policies about how to interpret and make decisions about applicants with multiple scores and/or cancellations/absent notations. They seemed to be getting tired of having to read an increased volume of lame addendums filled with transparent bull$hit excuses for having multiple scores/cancels/absences on CAS reports. Also, time dealing with and responding to all the students that asked admission offices to fax in a permission letter to take it again had become an excessive time/resource administrative burden since the volume of requests increased significantly over the last several cycles.

Therefore a simple solution was devised. Test takers can withdraw a registration up to midnight the day before an administration without it counting against the limit or anything showing up on the CAS report and discretionary authority to allow retaking it more than three times in two years has been assigned solely to LSAC for uniform application of the policy.

In short, the main takeaway point of all this is: Take the LSAT when you are properly prepared and ready to take it, not before you are ready to achieve your maximum potential/goal score.

[Ohiobumpkin]

In short, the main takeaway point of all this is: Take the LSAT when you are properly prepared and ready to take it, not before you are ready to achieve your maximum potential/goal score.

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