PLEASE HELP -- Potential June 2016 LSAT Issue Forum

[pizzagoblin]

Hi, all.

I have my third and final retake coming up in June, and I am prepared and ready to go. However, I just found out that my photo uploaded to LSAC, which will now be used on my admission ticket due to the new photo rules, breaks photo requirements by cutting out too much of my forehead. After three phone calls to LSAC, they said it is completely up to the person who checks my ticket at the testing center to decide whether I gain admission to the test or not.

Do I defer my testing date to September, potentially losing out on scholarships, or do I risk my current photo and my last retake? PLEASE offer any insight you have. Thank you.

[Nachoo2019]

Did you ask if you can bring a hard copy of a passport photo with you as well as a print out of the ticket like they used to do for the test?

[StopLawying]

Hi, all.

I have my third and final retake coming up in June, and I am prepared and ready to go. However, I just found out that my photo uploaded to LSAC, which will now be used on my admission ticket due to the new photo rules, breaks photo requirements by cutting out too much of my forehead. After three phone calls to LSAC, they said it is completely up to the person who checks my ticket at the testing center to decide whether I gain admission to the test or not.

Do I defer my testing date to September, potentially losing out on scholarships, or do I risk my current photo and my last retake? PLEASE offer any insight you have. Thank you.

Don't think you'll have a problem, but there's no option to switch the photo?

[Mikey]

Hi, all.

I have my third and final retake coming up in June, and I am prepared and ready to go. However, I just found out that my photo uploaded to LSAC, which will now be used on my admission ticket due to the new photo rules, breaks photo requirements by cutting out too much of my forehead. After three phone calls to LSAC, they said it is completely up to the person who checks my ticket at the testing center to decide whether I gain admission to the test or not.

Do I defer my testing date to September, potentially losing out on scholarships, or do I risk my current photo and my last retake? PLEASE offer any insight you have. Thank you.

Don't think you'll have a problem, but there's no option to switch the photo?

I believe the last day to change it was the 23rd.

[pizzagoblin]

The deadline to change the photo was two days ago. LSAC said that because this is a new system, they don't know how the test center people will react to the photo. I am still planning on bringing my passport, driver's license and anything else that could potentially help. A good half of my forehead is cut out. Did people from the old system get turned away for similar offenses? I am scared to risk my final take and have that anxiety of being turned away hanging over my head, but I am ready for this test and don't think it should be a huge problem. It is clearly me in the photo.

[pizzagoblin]

I think I need to defer.

Looking at the worst-case scenarios for both sides, it is clear that getting turned away and losing my third and final shot at the exam is clearly worse than losing some scholarship money by applying later. I'm scoring around 174ish now, which is light years ahead of my 165 score. If I lost that third shot to take it, then my whole future would be derailed.

Please advise if you think this is the right course of action.

[darthrevan92]

Im actually worried about a similar issue too. After printing my ticket, my photo lost some quality and sharpness. Did anyone else suffer from this same issue and is it grounds for being turned away. LSAC said as long as my identity is undoubtedable from the picture I would be fine.

[somethingElse]

Hi, all.

I have my third and final retake coming up in June, and I am prepared and ready to go. However, I just found out that my photo uploaded to LSAC, which will now be used on my admission ticket due to the new photo rules, breaks photo requirements by cutting out too much of my forehead. After three phone calls to LSAC, they said it is completely up to the person who checks my ticket at the testing center to decide whether I gain admission to the test or not.

Do I defer my testing date to September, potentially losing out on scholarships, or do I risk my current photo and my last retake? PLEASE offer any insight you have. Thank you.

Don't think you'll have a problem, but there's no option to switch the photo?

I believe the last day to change it was the 23rd.

Lol wtf

[Jeffort]

I think I need to defer.

Looking at the worst-case scenarios for both sides, it is clear that getting turned away and losing my third and final shot at the exam is clearly worse than losing some scholarship money by applying later. I'm scoring around 174ish now, which is light years ahead of my 165 score. If I lost that third shot to take it, then my whole future would be derailed.

Please advise if you think this is the right course of action.

If they refuse to check you in and turn you away at the initial check-in point, it doesn't count as having taken the test/count against the re-take limit since you wouldn't have gotten in, been assigned a seat, been given and filled out an answer sheet, given any test materials/allowed the opportunity to take the test, and you'd just be classified as having been 'absent'.

Call and/or email LSAC to get official confirmation that this is still true to put your mind at ease, it's been the way LSAC has treated situations with people turned away at the check in desk (and people that registered but failed to show up on test day that hadn't withdrawn their registration by the deadline) for the last 20+ years.

If you aren't checked in, admitted into the test center and given the opportunity to take the test (admitted to the test center at the check-in desk/tables, seated, given the test book, filled out an answer sheet, etc.), you didn't take the test or have the opportunity to take it (people that check-in and then leave during the test or even before it starts, like if you suddenly have a panic attack after getting checked-in, or start throwing up or something and decide to leave, that counts as a take since you were checked in and given the opportunity to take the exam that day).

If you call/email LSAC for confirmation of this, I suggest that you ask them what their current threshold definition is for what point in the process of checking-in/attempting to check in would cause it to be counted as having 'taken the test' for application of the three times per two year period limit rule. The reason I suggest you ask that is because in the process of trying to check in with the check-in people, they have forms with lists of registered test takers names that they write stuff on for each person once you hand them your admission ticket while they review it and decide whether to let you in or not. You want to make sure that a check-in proctor writing something/checking off some checkbox or whatever on their forms (possibly incorrectly and/or having you sign on one of their check-in list forms) before they decide not to let you in (if they reject you) and tell you they won't let you in won't trigger the point of no return threshold that makes it register in the LSAC system as having 'taken' the test even if you're turned away DURING the check-in process and not admitted into the test center/testing rooms area.

Since they've changed the procedures yet again with this new stupid having to upload your picture policy, they probably changed some of the paperwork and forms the proctors have to fill stuff out on that is then later processed after sent back to the LSAC office.

In all past administrations, people that were denied entry and turned away at the check-in desk due to whatever issue just ended up with an absent mark on their record, which doesn't count as having taken the test, thus doesn't count against the three takes limit.

Double check with LSAC to make sure since they keep changing their rules and procedures, but I think you should be fine either way with the possibilities being that either they'll let you in and let you take the test or they'll turn you away at the check in counter and it'll just show up as an absent or something that won't count against the re-take limit. You might even want to ask if it would put an absent mark or some other type of mark on your CAS report if they refuse to let you check in due to the picture. I wish LSAC would stop changing the check-in and admission ticket requirements and other rules and procedures soo often. They've changed various different registration, check-in, withdrawal, deadlines, etc. rules and procedures many times over the last six or seven years. It wouldn't surprise me if they add a TSA style pat down and metal detector wand sweep procedure and/or a strict very specific dress code/specific uniform like a jail jumpsuit you have wear rule in the near future.

It would be a shame if you end up having to wait until October to take it due to this new lame picture upload policy given that you're currently in the zone to hopefully be able to hit your peak score on the June test. Good luck and let us know what they say and what ends up happening. I hope it works out for you for the June test.

[pizzagoblin]

I think I need to defer.

Looking at the worst-case scenarios for both sides, it is clear that getting turned away and losing my third and final shot at the exam is clearly worse than losing some scholarship money by applying later. I'm scoring around 174ish now, which is light years ahead of my 165 score. If I lost that third shot to take it, then my whole future would be derailed.

Please advise if you think this is the right course of action.

If they refuse to check you in and turn you away at the initial check-in point, it doesn't count as having taken the test/count against the re-take limit since you wouldn't have gotten in, been assigned a seat, been given and filled out an answer sheet, given any test materials/allowed the opportunity to take the test, and you'd just be classified as having been 'absent'.

Call and/or email LSAC to get official confirmation that this is still true to put your mind at ease, it's been the way LSAC has treated situations with people turned away at the check in desk (and people that registered but failed to show up on test day that hadn't withdrawn their registration by the deadline) for the last 20+ years.

If you aren't checked in, admitted into the test center and given the opportunity to take the test (admitted to the test center at the check-in desk/tables, seated, given the test book, filled out an answer sheet, etc.), you didn't take the test or have the opportunity to take it (people that check-in and then leave during the test or even before it starts, like if you suddenly have a panic attack after getting checked-in, or start throwing up or something and decide to leave, that counts as a take since you were checked in and given the opportunity to take the exam that day).

If you call/email LSAC for confirmation of this, I suggest that you ask them what their current threshold definition is for what point in the process of checking-in/attempting to check in would cause it to be counted as having 'taken the test' for application of the three times per two year period limit rule. The reason I suggest you ask that is because in the process of trying to check in with the check-in people, they have forms with lists of registered test takers names that they write stuff on for each person once you hand them your admission ticket while they review it and decide whether to let you in or not. You want to make sure that a check-in proctor writing something/checking off some checkbox or whatever on their forms (possibly incorrectly and/or having you sign on one of their check-in list forms) before they decide not to let you in (if they reject you) and tell you they won't let you in won't trigger the point of no return threshold that makes it register in the LSAC system as having 'taken' the test even if you're turned away DURING the check-in process and not admitted into the test center/testing rooms area.

Since they've changed the procedures yet again with this new stupid having to upload your picture policy, they probably changed some of the paperwork and forms the proctors have to fill stuff out on that is then later processed after sent back to the LSAC office.

In all past administrations, people that were denied entry and turned away at the check-in desk due to whatever issue just ended up with an absent mark on their record, which doesn't count as having taken the test, thus doesn't count against the three takes limit.

Double check with LSAC to make sure since they keep changing their rules and procedures, but I think you should be fine either way with the possibilities being that either they'll let you in and let you take the test or they'll turn you away at the check in counter and it'll just show up as an absent or something that won't count against the re-take limit. You might even want to ask if it would put an absent mark or some other type of mark on your CAS report if they refuse to let you check in due to the picture. I wish LSAC would stop changing the check-in and admission ticket requirements and other rules and procedures soo often. They've changed various different registration, check-in, withdrawal, deadlines, etc. rules and procedures many times over the last six or seven years. It wouldn't surprise me if they add a TSA style pat down and metal detector wand sweep procedure and/or a strict very specific dress code/specific uniform like a jail jumpsuit you have wear rule in the near future.

It would be a shame if you end up having to wait until October to take it due to this new lame picture upload policy given that you're currently in the zone to hopefully be able to hit your peak score on the June test. Good luck and let us know what they say and what ends up happening. I hope it works out for you for the June test.

THANK YOU FOR THIS. After some research, I learned that you are only counted as a cancellation, which counts as a test taken, if you actually receive the test book itself. If you get turned away during registration, it only counts as an absence. An LSAC lady said absences aren't the biggest deals to law schools and that I can attach an addendum explaining what happened if I do get turned away. So for anyone in a similar situation, I say go and try to take the test. If you're turned away, you still get another retake in September.

I AM SO RELIEVED!

[Smortensen]

I am also panicking right now about not being allowed in. My photo is a professional photo I had taken but the background is not completely one color. There's a plant behind me but the focus is completely on my face. I emailed LSAC and they said it's not completely in their guidelines but not far off. Basically it's up to the person at the door. Really don't know what to do at this point. I feel sick just even thinking I may not be able to get in after all the time studying and money spent.

Can we bring two additional forms of ID and see if they will look at those if there's an issue with the one we uploaded??

[pizzagoblin]

I am also panicking right now about not being allowed in. My photo is a professional photo I had taken but the background is not completely one color. There's a plant behind me but the focus is completely on my face. I emailed LSAC and they said it's not completely in their guidelines but not far off. Basically it's up to the person at the door. Really don't know what to do at this point. I feel sick just even thinking I may not be able to get in after all the time studying and money spent.

Can we bring two additional forms of ID and see if they will look at those if there's an issue with the one we uploaded??

I don't think you'll get turned away, but if you do, then the only things against you would be 1) having to pay the registration fee again, 2) having an absence on your record (which is easily explainable) and 3) having to push back the test date and application timing. These are not worst-case scenarios. I'm definitely bringing in my passport, driver's license and a school ID just in case, but I don't know how stringent they'll be because this is the first test with the new requirements. All you can do is go in confident and know there are alternatives.

[somethingElse]

How the fuck did you guys manage to fuck this up

[pizzagoblin]

How the fuck did you guys manage to fuck this up

You're a gem, aren't you?

[somethingElse]

Seriously though.

But okay, I would personally see this as an opportunity to just take in September (worst case scenario). Taking in June vs September is a negligible difference to your application. Just get all the rest of your materials in and if you submit the day you get your score back (in October) you'll be basically no worse off. Also it's more time to study and potentially score even better.

[Smortensen]

I am also panicking right now about not being allowed in. My photo is a professional photo I had taken but the background is not completely one color. There's a plant behind me but the focus is completely on my face. I emailed LSAC and they said it's not completely in their guidelines but not far off. Basically it's up to the person at the door. Really don't know what to do at this point. I feel sick just even thinking I may not be able to get in after all the time studying and money spent.

Can we bring two additional forms of ID and see if they will look at those if there's an issue with the one we uploaded??

I don't think you'll get turned away, but if you do, then the only things against you would be 1) having to pay the registration fee again, 2) having an absence on your record (which is easily explainable) and 3) having to push back the test date and application timing. These are not worst-case scenarios. I'm definitely bringing in my passport, driver's license and a school ID just in case, but I don't know how stringent they'll be because this is the first test with the new requirements. All you can do is go in confident and know there are alternatives.

Thanks for the response. Did the person you spoke to say to bring the additional forms of ID? Or are you just doing that to be extra safe?

[pizzagoblin]

I am also panicking right now about not being allowed in. My photo is a professional photo I had taken but the background is not completely one color. There's a plant behind me but the focus is completely on my face. I emailed LSAC and they said it's not completely in their guidelines but not far off. Basically it's up to the person at the door. Really don't know what to do at this point. I feel sick just even thinking I may not be able to get in after all the time studying and money spent.

Can we bring two additional forms of ID and see if they will look at those if there's an issue with the one we uploaded??

I don't think you'll get turned away, but if you do, then the only things against you would be 1) having to pay the registration fee again, 2) having an absence on your record (which is easily explainable) and 3) having to push back the test date and application timing. These are not worst-case scenarios. I'm definitely bringing in my passport, driver's license and a school ID just in case, but I don't know how stringent they'll be because this is the first test with the new requirements. All you can do is go in confident and know there are alternatives.

Thanks for the response. Did the person you spoke to say to bring the additional forms of ID? Or are you just doing that to be extra safe?

They said it couldn't hurt, so it's a mix of both. But no, they didn't say explicitly that it would offset any picture issues.

[Smortensen]

I am also panicking right now about not being allowed in. My photo is a professional photo I had taken but the background is not completely one color. There's a plant behind me but the focus is completely on my face. I emailed LSAC and they said it's not completely in their guidelines but not far off. Basically it's up to the person at the door. Really don't know what to do at this point. I feel sick just even thinking I may not be able to get in after all the time studying and money spent.

Can we bring two additional forms of ID and see if they will look at those if there's an issue with the one we uploaded??

I don't think you'll get turned away, but if you do, then the only things against you would be 1) having to pay the registration fee again, 2) having an absence on your record (which is easily explainable) and 3) having to push back the test date and application timing. These are not worst-case scenarios. I'm definitely bringing in my passport, driver's license and a school ID just in case, but I don't know how stringent they'll be because this is the first test with the new requirements. All you can do is go in confident and know there are alternatives.

Thanks for the response. Did the person you spoke to say to bring the additional forms of ID? Or are you just doing that to be extra safe?

They said it couldn't hurt, so it's a mix of both. But no, they didn't say explicitly that it would offset any picture issues.

Okay thanks! Your making me feel a little better at least.

I hope everything works out. This is just the sort of additional stress I needed a week and a half away from the test.

[ssk1991]

Hi All,

I have a similar issue as well. I had gotten my professional photo's taken at Walgreen's and the photo meets all of the requirements. I went and uploaded the photo on LSAC but my photo that was uploaded is really small. I am scared that I will be turned away on test day because even though my photo (which is a 2x2 passport photo) meets all the requirements, the upload is too small and it is too small on my admissions ticket.

Thoughts? Anything is much appreciated. Thank you.

[longpig]

I am also panicking right now about not being allowed in. My photo is a professional photo I had taken but the background is not completely one color. There's a plant behind me but the focus is completely on my face. I emailed LSAC and they said it's not completely in their guidelines but not far off. Basically it's up to the person at the door. Really don't know what to do at this point. I feel sick just even thinking I may not be able to get in after all the time studying and money spent.

Can we bring two additional forms of ID and see if they will look at those if there's an issue with the one we uploaded??

Is it really that much of an issue if there's something in the background? According to the website, the background just has to be "clear" and not obscure identity. I don't see anything about it having to be all one color?

Asking because there's a door behind me in my pic lol.

[Mikey]

Hi All,

I have a similar issue as well. I had gotten my professional photo's taken at Walgreen's and the photo meets all of the requirements. I went and uploaded the photo on LSAC but my photo that was uploaded is really small. I am scared that I will be turned away on test day because even though my photo (which is a 2x2 passport photo) meets all the requirements, the upload is too small and it is too small on my admissions ticket.

Thoughts? Anything is much appreciated. Thank you.

I did the same with a passport photo but I edited it to make it a bit bigger to fit the ticket. How did you manage to get the picture through the upload screen? It always told me that it needed to be bigger, which is when I went to edit it to make it slightly bigger.

[ssk1991]

Hi All,

I have a similar issue as well. I had gotten my professional photo's taken at Walgreen's and the photo meets all of the requirements. I went and uploaded the photo on LSAC but my photo that was uploaded is really small. I am scared that I will be turned away on test day because even though my photo (which is a 2x2 passport photo) meets all the requirements, the upload is too small and it is too small on my admissions ticket.

Thoughts? Anything is much appreciated. Thank you.

I did the same with a passport photo but I edited it to make it a bit bigger to fit the ticket. How did you manage to get the picture through the upload screen? It always told me that it needed to be bigger, which is when I went to edit it to make it slightly bigger.

I did not get a notification that it needed to be bigger so I figured that the upload was OK. I e-mailed LSAC and they said that my photo does not meet the requirements but nowhere on the website does it say ANYTHING about size so now I am facing a potential situation where I may not be able permitted inside the testing room.

Do you think I should still show up on test day since it is ultimately up to the proctor?

[Mikey]

Hi All,

I have a similar issue as well. I had gotten my professional photo's taken at Walgreen's and the photo meets all of the requirements. I went and uploaded the photo on LSAC but my photo that was uploaded is really small. I am scared that I will be turned away on test day because even though my photo (which is a 2x2 passport photo) meets all the requirements, the upload is too small and it is too small on my admissions ticket.

Thoughts? Anything is much appreciated. Thank you.

I did the same with a passport photo but I edited it to make it a bit bigger to fit the ticket. How did you manage to get the picture through the upload screen? It always told me that it needed to be bigger, which is when I went to edit it to make it slightly bigger.

I did not get a notification that it needed to be bigger so I figured that the upload was OK. I e-mailed LSAC and they said that my photo does not meet the requirements but nowhere on the website does it say ANYTHING about size so now I am facing a potential situation where I may not be able permitted inside the testing room.

Do you think I should still show up on test day since it is ultimately up to the proctor?

Damn I'm sorry to hear that. Well, I'm not in any position to give advice on whether you should show up or not, because you risk not being allowed in. All LSAC said to you was that it is up to the proctor?

[ssk1991]

Hi All,

I have a similar issue as well. I had gotten my professional photo's taken at Walgreen's and the photo meets all of the requirements. I went and uploaded the photo on LSAC but my photo that was uploaded is really small. I am scared that I will be turned away on test day because even though my photo (which is a 2x2 passport photo) meets all the requirements, the upload is too small and it is too small on my admissions ticket.

Thoughts? Anything is much appreciated. Thank you.

I did the same with a passport photo but I edited it to make it a bit bigger to fit the ticket. How did you manage to get the picture through the upload screen? It always told me that it needed to be bigger, which is when I went to edit it to make it slightly bigger.

I did not get a notification that it needed to be bigger so I figured that the upload was OK. I e-mailed LSAC and they said that my photo does not meet the requirements but nowhere on the website does it say ANYTHING about size so now I am facing a potential situation where I may not be able permitted inside the testing room.

Do you think I should still show up on test day since it is ultimately up to the proctor?

Damn I'm sorry to hear that. Well, I'm not in any position to give advice on whether you should show up or not, because you risk not being allowed in. All LSAC said to you was that it is up to the proctor?

I think I am going to show up because LSAC advised that the proctor's are not employed by LSAC so I don't know how closely they follow the rules given by LSAC. I am going to bring my passport photo's, driver's license and passport. I spoke with three different representatives and they all advised that it is ultimately up to whoever is there on test day. I am praying to the gods that they let me in. I spent so much money and time with this =/

[Mikey]

Hi All,

I have a similar issue as well. I had gotten my professional photo's taken at Walgreen's and the photo meets all of the requirements. I went and uploaded the photo on LSAC but my photo that was uploaded is really small. I am scared that I will be turned away on test day because even though my photo (which is a 2x2 passport photo) meets all the requirements, the upload is too small and it is too small on my admissions ticket.

Thoughts? Anything is much appreciated. Thank you.

I did the same with a passport photo but I edited it to make it a bit bigger to fit the ticket. How did you manage to get the picture through the upload screen? It always told me that it needed to be bigger, which is when I went to edit it to make it slightly bigger.

I did not get a notification that it needed to be bigger so I figured that the upload was OK. I e-mailed LSAC and they said that my photo does not meet the requirements but nowhere on the website does it say ANYTHING about size so now I am facing a potential situation where I may not be able permitted inside the testing room.

Do you think I should still show up on test day since it is ultimately up to the proctor?

Damn I'm sorry to hear that. Well, I'm not in any position to give advice on whether you should show up or not, because you risk not being allowed in. All LSAC said to you was that it is up to the proctor?

I think I am going to show up because LSAC advised that the proctor's are not employed by LSAC so I don't know how closely they follow the rules given by LSAC. I am going to bring my passport photo's, driver's license and passport. I spoke with three different representatives and they all advised that it is ultimately up to whoever is there on test day. I am praying to the gods that they let me in. I spent so much money and time with this =/

Yeah, I hope it all works out for you (and everyone else as well). I've heard different things about proctors, some say that there's proctors who don't care about rules, while there are others that are extremely strict with it. Like, I read in a different thread that this one guy's proctor asked people to come to the front who had phones and he kicked them all out. On the other hand, someone said that their proctor allowed people to leave their phones at the front desk. It's a hit or miss I guess.