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Hello! I am registered to take the December 2014 LSAT by I am worried that I do not have enough time to study. I have been considering three different options in order for me to get accepted into my desired school (which is the University of Florida):

1. Take the December LSAT administration and apply for school with that score, which will allow me to have my application in by early January but I may not have received the best score due to my limited time to study.

2. Take the December LSAT, apply to schools but register for the February LSAT, which would cause my application to be held until I receive my February LSAT.

3. Take the February LSAT only and apply right before the deadline, March 15th, with the likelihood of a higher score.

Which option do you think is best? I would like to take the February test if it means that I can get a higher score but I am also worried that I will not have an opportunity to receive scholarships if I apply in March.

Also, what is the best study plan/advice for two months?? I have the Powerscore bibles and the Manhattan LSAT RC Guide. I'm buying the LSAT Trainer this week, as well.

I am not sure which strategy would be the best in hopes of getting admitted for the Fall 2014-2015 cycle. UF is my top choice since Gainesville is my hometown and I plan to practice law in the state of Florida. I am applying to other schools in Florida but UF is the better option for me due to my situation.

Thank you for your help!

You should apply next cycle and take the June 2015 test. A year isn't that long to wait.

What's your diagnostic score and how close is it to your realistic goal?

nlee10 wrote:What's your diagnostic score and how close is it to your realistic goal?

TLSuser2014 wrote:I am worried that I do not have enough time to study

He may not have an understanding of scoring potential/goal if there hasn't been a lot of studying.

I received in the 154-157 range when I was taking PTs this summer. I had to delay studying for a month since I received a new full-time job. I would like get a 165 on my real LSAT in either December or February. I will be applying this cycle so waiting out a year isn't an option.

el madrileno wrote:

nlee10 wrote:What's your diagnostic score and how close is it to your realistic goal?

TLSuser2014 wrote:I am worried that I do not have enough time to study

He may not have an understanding of scoring potential/goal if there hasn't been a lot of studying.

I'm a she and I do have an understanding of scoring potential/goals since this is not my first time taking a LSAT, but I did not perform well due to being in a car accident right before my test.

TLSuser2014 wrote:I received in the 154-157 range when I was taking PTs this summer. I had to delay studying for a month since I received a new full-time job. I would like get a 165 on my real LSAT in either December or February. I will be applying this cycle so waiting out a year isn't an option.

You don't have to apply this cycle.

TLSuser2014 wrote:I received in the 154-157 range when I was taking PTs this summer. I had to delay studying for a month since I received a new full-time job. I would like get a 165 on my real LSAT in either December or February. I will be applying this cycle so waiting out a year isn't an option.

I agree if you haven't been able to study much recently, sitting out a cycle is my recommendation.

BUT...if you must apply this cycle, you could take both december/february and still get into some schools, just know that you will lose out on some scholarship money.

Is taking the December test then applying generally a bad idea? are scholarship funds pretty dried up by then or no..

I'm in the same boat. don't want to wait until next cycle either but also want to maximize $ I can get.

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surf wrote:Is taking the December test then applying generally a bad idea? are scholarship funds pretty dried up by then or no..

I'm in the same boat. don't want to wait until next cycle either but also want to maximize $ I can get.

I think Dec is fine. It also depends on your score and the school. A Dec sitting means earliest you could apply is Jan. Then think a 3-6 week decision timeline (totally arbitrary... don't quote me on this). Decisions by Feb and March. Just things to think about.

surf wrote:Is taking the December test then applying generally a bad idea? are scholarship funds pretty dried up by then or no..

I'm in the same boat. don't want to wait until next cycle either but also want to maximize $ I can get.

December should be fine, provided you have the rest of your app completely ready to go and submit as soon as you have your score back. Generally, apps before Thanksgiving are considered early and apps before Christmas are on time.

OP, my advice is to sit out this cycle and take the time to do some thorough studying. Give the material the time it needs. It's the difference between potentially getting a full scholly and being in a shitton of debt, because you're probably not going to get a great scholarship (if any) by sitting for the test in February.

But it sounds like you've made up your mind. Spend as much time as possible studying without sacrificing your health and take in December - wake up to study, study after work, etc. Don't drink, don't overcommit at work, and don't overdo the week of the test.

ETA: just wait till you get your first scores from the Dec. test to register for Feb. Scores usually come out early for the Dec. test so no point in registering if you're not going to need to & it gives you time to still register if necessary.