Should a splitter postpone until December? Forum

[duras92]

resolved

[Rigo]

This is more an admissions forum question, but I'm sure people will trickle over to answer it.

1)December isn't really late anymore if you have all your application materials ready to send when the scores are released. Sure earlier is better, but it's not so much better that it justifies applying with a less than ideal LSAT score.
2)Are you fabulously wealthy or does the GI bill pay your tuition? If not, then EDing isn't smart. Splitters do just fine regular decision with 170+ scores.
3)How far away from your goal are you? What's your PT average of the last five tests?

[A.Taarabt7]

+1 for more advice

I am also considering postponing. My average is 166-170 5 pt average in the higher part of the range. Aiming for low 170s score. Not sure if I should postpone or just go ahead and take it in a few weeks then retake?
I've been studying since April with a 1 month break in June for personal reasons. Just working part time and studying.

[duras92]

resolved

[Rigo]

2) Money is good, but admission is more important. I won't even be able to be a splitter if I don't get 170+. ED was attractive for the 150k scholarship that Northwestern hands out.
3) PTs in low 160s, mastering LG, LR is mixed and RC is the weak point. Need a 5-10 pt jump in order to have a reasonable safe zone.

5-10 points is a lot of improvement in the next couple weeks, so I think postponing would be the correct decision. Or since the deadline for date change and refund has passed, you could just take the September test and retake in December. As a splitter, you're shut out of HYS and they're the only schools that really care about multiple takes, so there's no real harm in taking in September.
It's very unlikely you will get 170+ though, if you're averaging in the low 160's now & LG is your strongest section. If LG was your weak section, then you could totally improve a ton between now and the test. LR and RC take way more time and diligence, unfortunately.

I still think ED isn't smart, unless it's Northwestern (as you mentioned). Though NW is splitter friendly, it's ED pool is very competitive. There's no harm in ED'ing NW, but you'd probably be rolled over to RD anyways, no matter your LSAT. And a 170+ in a couple weeks doesn't seem likely for you, so the ED discussion is pretty moot.

Is the diminished importance of early applications because of the reduced number of applicants to law schools?

Yes.
I think December will be your moment to shine. Goodluck!

[hopeboaltberkeley]

I'll bandwagon here, since Dirigo's comments have been clear and helpful. Reapplying after getting in the mid 160's last year, GPA around 3.6. I'm scoring around the mid 160's (164-167) on PT's, and am aiming for anything in the t-14 (the higher the better).

Averaging -3 each section on RC, LR (though getting the occasional -0), but bombing LG's due to a tremendous lack of speed (averaging -9 to -11). I've read Powerscore and am familiar with the types of games and various conceptual approaches as a result, but again, the speed is just not there yet. Reading Manhattan now, and starting to drill like crazy.

Is a jump in the section in the weeks until the Sept test unheard of, or is getting my losses down to like -3 in LG's doable in that timeframe from what you've heard?

[Rigo]

I'll bandwagon here, since Dirigo's comments have been clear and helpful. Reapplying after getting in the mid 160's last year, GPA around 3.6. I'm scoring around the mid 160's (164-167) on PT's, and am aiming for anything in the t-14 (the higher the better).

Averaging -3 each section on RC, LR (though getting the occasional -0), but bombing LG's due to a tremendous lack of speed (averaging -9 to -11). I've read Powerscore and am familiar with the types of games and various conceptual approaches as a result, but again, the speed is just not there yet. Reading Manhattan now, and starting to drill like crazy.

Is a jump in the section in the weeks until the Sept test unheard of, or is getting my losses down to like -3 in LG's doable in that timeframe from what you've heard?

LG is the easiest to see rapid improvement on. It is definitely doable if you truly dedicate yourself. Drill, baby drill.
Print off many copies of different LG sections.
Do one set, watch the 7Sage explanations, do the exact same set again.
Do another set, watch explanations, do set again.
Do those two sets again the next day. You should do them faster.
Do two new sets, watch explanations, etc.
Do them again the next day.

LG game types repeat inferences. Getting better and better at those inferences through repetition vastly improves your mind's agility in making the same inferences in future games.
Be able to fly through simple ordering games in 5 minutes so you can give yourself more time on the harder games.

Good luck!