Top Law Schools

It sounds like applying early is my best shot at getting into any school I'm serious about. I know it takes approx. a month to get LSAT scores back, so would taking the LSAT in October be inadvisable? How about if I have applications essentially complete ahead of time and can send them off the moment I get my score?

I'm afraid that rushing my studies and taking the LSAT in June (I currently work full-time) might not be conducive to getting an excellent score. Any ideas on which is the better option?

Thank you!

doclover wrote:It sounds like applying early is my best shot at getting into any school I'm serious about. I know it takes approx. a month to get LSAT scores back, so would taking the LSAT in October be inadvisable? How about if I have applications essentially complete ahead of time and can send them off the moment I get my score?

I'm afraid that rushing my studies and taking the LSAT in June (I currently work full-time) might not be conducive to getting an excellent score. Any ideas on which is the better option?

Thank you!

You will be fine if you take in Oct. and submit as soon as the scores come in. Most apps will have only been open for a month or two so you will still be early enough!

doclover wrote:It sounds like applying early is my best shot at getting into any school I'm serious about. I know it takes approx. a month to get LSAT scores back, so would taking the LSAT in October be inadvisable? How about if I have applications essentially complete ahead of time and can send them off the moment I get my score?

I'm afraid that rushing my studies and taking the LSAT in June (I currently work full-time) might not be conducive to getting an excellent score. Any ideas on which is the better option?

Thank you!

Applying early is not as important as having a high LSAT.

I did the October LSAT, had my apps out by Thanksgiving, and got in to pretty much every school I thought I would (and was even pleasantly surprised by a couple). You can still be "early" even if you do the October LSAT. Many schools have a mid-November ED deadline.

t14fanboy wrote:

doclover wrote:It sounds like applying early is my best shot at getting into any school I'm serious about. I know it takes approx. a month to get LSAT scores back, so would taking the LSAT in October be inadvisable? How about if I have applications essentially complete ahead of time and can send them off the moment I get my score?

I'm afraid that rushing my studies and taking the LSAT in June (I currently work full-time) might not be conducive to getting an excellent score. Any ideas on which is the better option?

Thank you!

Applying early is not as important as having a high LSAT.

This makes sense. I suppose that while I'm waiting (in the month of October) I can put the finishing touches on the applications, anyway.

I'm a little worried about the burnout factor, should I start studying now - I already have - and study all the way through to the October LSAT. Is 10-15 hours a week going to be too much to sustain?

10-15 hours a week won't be that bad - that's how much in-class LSAT time we schedule, plus there's about an equal amount of homework on top of that. It's a lighter load, but you're studying for a longer period of time.

However, watch out for 2 things:

1) Running out of material - pace yourself with the practice tests so that you don't go into that last month without anything left to do

2) Getting sick of the LSAT - it's hard enough to stay focused over 3 months, let alone 7. Make a schedule now that involves a week or so every other month away from the test.

First step now should be making that schedule.

bp shinners wrote:10-15 hours a week won't be that bad - that's how much in-class LSAT time we schedule, plus there's about an equal amount of homework on top of that. It's a lighter load, but you're studying for a longer period of time.

However, watch out for 2 things:

1) Running out of material - pace yourself with the practice tests so that you don't go into that last month without anything left to do

2) Getting sick of the LSAT - it's hard enough to stay focused over 3 months, let alone 7. Make a schedule now that involves a week or so every other month away from the test.

First step now should be making that schedule.

Perfect. I like that idea about a week away from the test once a month. I think that will help a lot. Thank you!