Last few days: quantity or quality? Forum

[Beasty0219]

Might be a silly question since the test is less than a week away, but here it goes: do you think it'd be more beneficial to take another 4-6 practice tests, or to take just one or two more but with more time devoted to analysis/careful reasoning?

I'm averaging 168. On any given test I'll make a couple of really absent-minded mistakes which will prevent me from breaking 170. I just don't know how much more I can do other than work on my focus and be as motivated on question 26 as I am on number 1. Thus it makes sense to take 5 more tests in hopes that even one question could elucidate some previously unnoticed pattern.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I had a 3.3 in the honors program of a good public university, have 3 years of solid work experience since, and am thinking a 168 would get me into GW, BU, BC, Emory, William and Mary (the latter two being my top choices). Of course if I do break 170, I'll likely apply early to northwestern.

[Lying Lawyer]

I don't think this is a good time to increase the amount of work you are doing if you have been consistent for a while now. You risk exhaustion for test day. Stay at the same pace if you are happy with what you are testing at. If you are not this isn't the time to change anything. Cancel and shoot for December.

[Beasty0219]

Perhaps it's worth mentioning that I cancelled in June because I was certain my score would have been in the mid-160's (thanks to the reading/last game). And I don't want to even consider canceling a second time, especially because this is the only test score I can use towards an early decision app.

[Nomo]

Perhaps it's worth mentioning that I cancelled in June because I was certain my score would have been in the mid-160's (thanks to the reading/last game). And I don't want to even consider canceling a second time, especially because this is the only test score I can use towards an early decision app.

Doesn't matter. If you think there is still room for improvement you should cancel. If you cancel now this test won't count towards your limit of 3 (you should double check his). It is way too late in the game to be in the position where you are trying to improve. Forget ED. Get the highest score you can possibly get.

[Rigo]

You risk burnout by going the quantity route, so I say limit it to no more than 2 PTs. I highly recommend taking Friday off other than some light drilling.

And, on an unrelated note, don't ED anywhere other than Northwestern. Ever.

[dontdoitkid]

Stick with 1-2 tests so that you have time to review and what not.

Other than that, just work at keeping yourself focused, confident, and taking care of yourself so that you are in the best possible mental and physical shape for Saturday.

[Beasty0219]

I appreciate the feedback.

So what if I hit my average (168), is that too low to go ED to northwestern? Maybe ED to GW instead? Northwestern stands out in my mind because of their emphasis on post-grad work experience (and inversely proportional emphasis on gpa; I fear my 3.3 would keep me out of my top choices even with a 169+).

[Rigo]

I appreciate the feedback.

So what if I hit my average (168), is that too low to go ED to northwestern? Maybe ED to GW instead? Northwestern stands out in my mind because of their emphasis on post-grad work experience (and inversely proportional emphasis on gpa; I fear my 3.3 would keep me out of my top choices even with a 169+).

Why are you hellbent on EDing? Your GPA can definitely be overcome with a high LSAT. 3.3 isn't even THAT BAD.

I think Northwestern would roll you over to RD regardless of if you get a 168 or a 170. The ED pool there is very competitive.

[Beasty0219]

I appreciate the feedback.

So what if I hit my average (168), is that too low to go ED to northwestern? Maybe ED to GW instead? Northwestern stands out in my mind because of their emphasis on post-grad work experience (and inversely proportional emphasis on gpa; I fear my 3.3 would keep me out of my top choices even with a 169+).

Why are you hellbent on EDing? Your GPA can definitely be overcome with a high LSAT. 3.3 isn't even THAT BAD.

I think Northwestern would roll you over to RD regardless of if you get a 168 or a 170. The ED pool there is very competitive.

The scholarship that comes with early decision acceptance is highly appealing to me. I figure a 168/3.3 likely gets me into gw, Emory, etc but with no money.

[regulartime]

I appreciate the feedback.

So what if I hit my average (168), is that too low to go ED to northwestern? Maybe ED to GW instead? Northwestern stands out in my mind because of their emphasis on post-grad work experience (and inversely proportional emphasis on gpa; I fear my 3.3 would keep me out of my top choices even with a 169+).

Why are you hellbent on EDing? Your GPA can definitely be overcome with a high LSAT. 3.3 isn't even THAT BAD.

I think Northwestern would roll you over to RD regardless of if you get a 168 or a 170. The ED pool there is very competitive.

The scholarship that comes with early decision acceptance is highly appealing to me. I figure a 168/3.3 likely gets me into gw, Emory, etc but with no money.

If you are interested at all, WUSTL is doing a full scholarship ED this year too. My GPA is barely above yours, and if I score a 168 or higher, I'll be trying for that. Not sure what numbers it would require, but its worth a look.

[Rigo]

I appreciate the feedback.

So what if I hit my average (168), is that too low to go ED to northwestern? Maybe ED to GW instead? Northwestern stands out in my mind because of their emphasis on post-grad work experience (and inversely proportional emphasis on gpa; I fear my 3.3 would keep me out of my top choices even with a 169+).

Why are you hellbent on EDing? Your GPA can definitely be overcome with a high LSAT. 3.3 isn't even THAT BAD.

I think Northwestern would roll you over to RD regardless of if you get a 168 or a 170. The ED pool there is very competitive.

The scholarship that comes with early decision acceptance is highly appealing to me. I figure a 168/3.3 likely gets me into gw, Emory, etc but with no money.

Oh you'll definitely get money RD.
Play around with mylsn.
Your school list seems scattered. Everything outside of T14 is regional. Remember that.

[Beasty0219]

The scholarship that comes with early decision acceptance is highly appealing to me. I figure a 168/3.3 likely gets me into gw, Emory, etc but with no money.[/quote]

Oh you'll definitely get money RD.
Play around with mylsn.
Your school list seems scattered. Everything outside of T14 is regional. Remember that.[/quote]

Well I'm from NJ and live in NYC but would like to get away from this area, hence going a bit north (bu, bc) or south (gw, William and Mary, Emory) appeals to me. Northwestern is the only t14 I'm considering but only because of their inclusive gpa range. Are there some schools I'm missing on my list? 170+ I might take a shot at Georgetown, Cornell, but that's a reach. Is 168 a sure thing for acceptance AND money to my aforementioned schools?

[Beasty0219]

Also staying relatively close to home because a large percentage of graduates from DC/VA schools take the bar and practice in ny.

[Rigo]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Northwestern's new GPA distributions (25-50-75) are 3.52-3.73-3.85 so they've seemingly become less splitter friendly. That means they're no more favorable to splitters than Cornell, Michigan, etc. That's not to discourage you; that's to make your broader your horizons. At least don't cross other T14s off your list until you get your LSAT. Plus you can always retake and improve in December.

You can watch the stats Hereas they come in.
When applying, I'd suggest applying broadly. There are no hard and fast rules to admissions when it comes to GPA/LSAT. This coming cycle looks like it will be better for applicants than last year.

Best of luck on Saturday and with your cycle!

[Beasty0219]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Northwestern's new GPA distributions (25-50-75) are 3.52-3.73-3.85 so they've seemingly become less splitter friendly. That means they're no more favorable to splitters than Cornell, Michigan, etc. That's not to discourage you; that's to make your broader your horizons. At least don't cross other T14s off your list until you get your LSAT. Plus you can always retake and improve in December.

You can watch the stats Hereas they come in.
When applying, I'd suggest applying broadly. There are no hard and fast rules to admissions when it comes to GPA/LSAT. This coming cycle looks like it will be better for applicants than last year.

Best of luck on Saturday and with your cycle!

Great spreadsheet! Thanks again for the feedback.

[MattM]

Doesn't OP have a solid shot at Northwestern with strong LSAT?

I looked at the most recent ABA report and the 25% GPA for northwestern is 3.30 not 3.52

[Rigo]

I looked at the most recent ABA report and the 25% GPA for northwestern is 3.30 not 3.52

3.3 was last year. Data for the class that entered this August has unofficially been reported, however. Official reports aren't due until October.

View c/o 2017 stats gathered thus far in the TLS SPREADSHEET.

[Rigo]

Doesn't OP have a solid shot at Northwestern with strong LSAT?

Yes. A very good chance via RD barring a LSAT score below where OP is averaging.
However, not a good chance via ED. It doesn't hurt OP to apply ED anyways though. OP should just expect to be rolled over to RD and not be crushed when ED admission is denied.