Does taking the December LSAT really affect 2017 admissions chances? Forum

[olikatz]

I am about half way through the Bible trilogy and did a few timed LR sections for practice and scored the same -12 I got on my diagnostic. I am worried I am not going to be able to prepare in time for the September test due to work taking up more of my time and as such, I wanted to know if taking the December test is a good idea? My original plan was take September test and apply November, but now I don't know if this is do-able. I know law schools accept on a rolling basis, but I wanted to know if I take December and apply late January will I really be in a tougher position for admission?

[TheDapperDruid]

I am about half way through the Bible trilogy and did a few timed LR sections for practice and scored the same -12 I got on my diagnostic. I am worried I am not going to be able to prepare in time for the September test due to work taking up more of my time and as such, I wanted to know if taking the December test is a good idea? My original plan was take September test and apply November, but now I don't know if this is do-able. I know law schools accept on a rolling basis, but I wanted to know if I take December and apply late January will I really be in a tougher position for admission?

I was prepping for the October LSAT with 3 months of pure study time, but I wasn't where I wanted to be for test day. So I deferred to the December LSAT and sent out my apps at the end of January. My cycle accurately reflected my numbers on mylsn. Regardless of whether or not a late application could hurt your chances, there is no way in which it could hurt your chances more than a sub-par LSAT score.

[Barack O'Drama]

I actually just made the switch from September to December tonight myself. Before I made the decision I consulted Dean Meeker via PM about if December admissions would hurt me, and this was his reply.




My advice is to wait and take in December if you're not feeling ready for the September test. BUT -- work on getting your applications completed before then. I'd still submit the applications by Thanksgiving if you can (or at the latest just after the LSAT in those first few weeks of December). I know that it means you'd be submitting applications without knowing your score, but it at that point you're feeling more confident about your score, better to get the apps in before January. The schools will begin processing your application when they receive it, and it will remain incomplete until they receive your score. But at least once they receive the score your application is ready to be forwarded to committee for review. If you wait until January to apply, you're delaying the processing of the application by at least a few weeks. Plus it is right after the holiday break - many admissions offices are closed for the week from Christmas to New Year's - so there is always a deluge of applications and mail when they return, so the processing time is even longer than it is in the fall.

Bottom line: better to apply with your best application in December than with a weaker application in October. The benefit of the higher LSAT score and overall stronger application will outweigh the benefit of an earlier application with a lower LSAT score....
Good luck!

[olikatz]

I actually just made the switch from September to December tonight myself. Before I made the decision I consulted Dean Meeker via PM about if December admissions would hurt me, and this was his reply.




My advice is to wait and take in December if you're not feeling ready for the September test. BUT -- work on getting your applications completed before then. I'd still submit the applications by Thanksgiving if you can (or at the latest just after the LSAT in those first few weeks of December). I know that it means you'd be submitting applications without knowing your score, but it at that point you're feeling more confident about your score, better to get the apps in before January. The schools will begin processing your application when they receive it, and it will remain incomplete until they receive your score. But at least once they receive the score your application is ready to be forwarded to committee for review. If you wait until January to apply, you're delaying the processing of the application by at least a few weeks. Plus it is right after the holiday break - many admissions offices are closed for the week from Christmas to New Year's - so there is always a deluge of applications and mail when they return, so the processing time is even longer than it is in the fall.

Bottom line: better to apply with your best application in December than with a weaker application in October. The benefit of the higher LSAT score and overall stronger application will outweigh the benefit of an earlier application with a lower LSAT score....
Good luck!

Do you know the deadline to switch to Dec test?

[Barack O'Drama]

I actually just made the switch from September to December tonight myself. Before I made the decision I consulted Dean Meeker via PM about if December admissions would hurt me, and this was his reply.




My advice is to wait and take in December if you're not feeling ready for the September test. BUT -- work on getting your applications completed before then. I'd still submit the applications by Thanksgiving if you can (or at the latest just after the LSAT in those first few weeks of December). I know that it means you'd be submitting applications without knowing your score, but it at that point you're feeling more confident about your score, better to get the apps in before January. The schools will begin processing your application when they receive it, and it will remain incomplete until they receive your score. But at least once they receive the score your application is ready to be forwarded to committee for review. If you wait until January to apply, you're delaying the processing of the application by at least a few weeks. Plus it is right after the holiday break - many admissions offices are closed for the week from Christmas to New Year's - so there is always a deluge of applications and mail when they return, so the processing time is even longer than it is in the fall.

Bottom line: better to apply with your best application in December than with a weaker application in October. The benefit of the higher LSAT score and overall stronger application will outweigh the benefit of an earlier application with a lower LSAT score....
Good luck!

Do you know the deadline to switch to Dec test?

You can cancel up until 11:59pm on September 23rd. I emailed LSAC just to be sure, but that is what I read on their website. I think you can sign up for December right now. I was able to keep my September date and sign up for December. I'm keeping my September date just in case I all the sudden become an LSAT genius. However, most likely I am just going to withdraw the night before the test.

ETA: I should also note that I have a few waiver and they may be having me do the process a bit different. You can also request a test date change for $90. The deadline for that too I believe is up until the night before the test.

I am actually going to make sure I get you some solid answers. I emailed them and should hear back in 48 hours.

[Jeffort]

I actually just made the switch from September to December tonight myself. Before I made the decision I consulted Dean Meeker via PM about if December admissions would hurt me, and this was his reply.




My advice is to wait and take in December if you're not feeling ready for the September test. BUT -- work on getting your applications completed before then. I'd still submit the applications by Thanksgiving if you can (or at the latest just after the LSAT in those first few weeks of December). I know that it means you'd be submitting applications without knowing your score, but it at that point you're feeling more confident about your score, better to get the apps in before January. The schools will begin processing your application when they receive it, and it will remain incomplete until they receive your score. But at least once they receive the score your application is ready to be forwarded to committee for review. If you wait until January to apply, you're delaying the processing of the application by at least a few weeks. Plus it is right after the holiday break - many admissions offices are closed for the week from Christmas to New Year's - so there is always a deluge of applications and mail when they return, so the processing time is even longer than it is in the fall.

Bottom line: better to apply with your best application in December than with a weaker application in October. The benefit of the higher LSAT score and overall stronger application will outweigh the benefit of an earlier application with a lower LSAT score....
Good luck!

Do you know the deadline to switch to Dec test?

You can cancel up until 11:59pm on September 23rd. I emailed LSAC just to be sure, but that is what I read on their website. I think you can sign up for December right now. I was able to keep my September date and sign up for December. I'm keeping my September date just in case I all the sudden become an LSAT genius. However, most likely I am just going to withdraw the night before the test.

ETA: I should also note that I have a few waiver and they may be having me do the process a bit different. You can also request a test date change for $90. The deadline for that too I believe is up until the night before the test.

I am actually going to make sure I get you some solid answers. I emailed them and should hear back in 48 hours.

For the regular September 24th 2016 administration, the test date change deadline is August 30th, not the night/day before the test like the registration withdrawal deadline.

All of the dates and deadlines regarding registration (late registration, test center change, test date change, withdrawing registration, etc.) are published on LSAC's website:

September LSAT dates and deadlines:
http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/test-dates- ... anada-sept

Dates and deadlines for all upcoming administrations including the February 2017 LSAT:
http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/test-dates-deadlines

[Barack O'Drama]

I actually just made the switch from September to December tonight myself. Before I made the decision I consulted Dean Meeker via PM about if December admissions would hurt me, and this was his reply.




My advice is to wait and take in December if you're not feeling ready for the September test. BUT -- work on getting your applications completed before then. I'd still submit the applications by Thanksgiving if you can (or at the latest just after the LSAT in those first few weeks of December). I know that it means you'd be submitting applications without knowing your score, but it at that point you're feeling more confident about your score, better to get the apps in before January. The schools will begin processing your application when they receive it, and it will remain incomplete until they receive your score. But at least once they receive the score your application is ready to be forwarded to committee for review. If you wait until January to apply, you're delaying the processing of the application by at least a few weeks. Plus it is right after the holiday break - many admissions offices are closed for the week from Christmas to New Year's - so there is always a deluge of applications and mail when they return, so the processing time is even longer than it is in the fall.

Bottom line: better to apply with your best application in December than with a weaker application in October. The benefit of the higher LSAT score and overall stronger application will outweigh the benefit of an earlier application with a lower LSAT score....
Good luck!

Do you know the deadline to switch to Dec test?

You can cancel up until 11:59pm on September 23rd. I emailed LSAC just to be sure, but that is what I read on their website. I think you can sign up for December right now. I was able to keep my September date and sign up for December. I'm keeping my September date just in case I all the sudden become an LSAT genius. However, most likely I am just going to withdraw the night before the test.

ETA: I should also note that I have a few waiver and they may be having me do the process a bit different. You can also request a test date change for $90. The deadline for that too I believe is up until the night before the test.

I am actually going to make sure I get you some solid answers. I emailed them and should hear back in 48 hours.

For the regular September 24th 2016 administration, the test date change deadline is August 30th, not the night/day before the test like the registration withdrawal deadline.

All of the dates and deadlines regarding registration (late registration, test center change, test date change, withdrawing registration, etc.) are published on LSAC's website:

September LSAT dates and deadlines:
http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/test-dates- ... anada-sept

Dates and deadlines for all upcoming administrations including the February 2017 LSAT:
http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/test-dates-deadlines

Ahh! I must have gotten them confused. Thank you for the correction Jeff!

[Jeffort]

I actually just made the switch from September to December tonight myself. Before I made the decision I consulted Dean Meeker via PM about if December admissions would hurt me, and this was his reply.




My advice is to wait and take in December if you're not feeling ready for the September test. BUT -- work on getting your applications completed before then. I'd still submit the applications by Thanksgiving if you can (or at the latest just after the LSAT in those first few weeks of December). I know that it means you'd be submitting applications without knowing your score, but it at that point you're feeling more confident about your score, better to get the apps in before January. The schools will begin processing your application when they receive it, and it will remain incomplete until they receive your score. But at least once they receive the score your application is ready to be forwarded to committee for review. If you wait until January to apply, you're delaying the processing of the application by at least a few weeks. Plus it is right after the holiday break - many admissions offices are closed for the week from Christmas to New Year's - so there is always a deluge of applications and mail when they return, so the processing time is even longer than it is in the fall.

Bottom line: better to apply with your best application in December than with a weaker application in October. The benefit of the higher LSAT score and overall stronger application will outweigh the benefit of an earlier application with a lower LSAT score....
Good luck!

Do you know the deadline to switch to Dec test?

You can cancel up until 11:59pm on September 23rd. I emailed LSAC just to be sure, but that is what I read on their website. I think you can sign up for December right now. I was able to keep my September date and sign up for December. I'm keeping my September date just in case I all the sudden become an LSAT genius. However, most likely I am just going to withdraw the night before the test.

ETA: I should also note that I have a few waiver and they may be having me do the process a bit different. You can also request a test date change for $90. The deadline for that too I believe is up until the night before the test.

I am actually going to make sure I get you some solid answers. I emailed them and should hear back in 48 hours.

For the regular September 24th 2016 administration, the test date change deadline is August 30th, not the night/day before the test like the registration withdrawal deadline.

All of the dates and deadlines regarding registration (late registration, test center change, test date change, withdrawing registration, etc.) are published on LSAC's website:

September LSAT dates and deadlines:
http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/test-dates- ... anada-sept

Dates and deadlines for all upcoming administrations including the February 2017 LSAT:
http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/test-dates-deadlines

Ahh! I must have gotten them confused. Thank you for the correction Jeff!

No worries, happy to help. With how often LSAC has been changing their rules/time periods for deadlines, etc. in recent years it's easy to get things mixed up. It sucks that the test date and test center location change deadlines are now such a long time before test day, unlike the way it used to be. Back in the good 'ole days (if such a time has ever really existed for anything in the world lol), LSAC used to let people reschedule/postpone their test date online for up to 3 days AFTER their registered administration date if they didn't show up and check-in on test day! and the fee was only like $28!

[Barack O'Drama]

I actually just made the switch from September to December tonight myself. Before I made the decision I consulted Dean Meeker via PM about if December admissions would hurt me, and this was his reply.




My advice is to wait and take in December if you're not feeling ready for the September test. BUT -- work on getting your applications completed before then. I'd still submit the applications by Thanksgiving if you can (or at the latest just after the LSAT in those first few weeks of December). I know that it means you'd be submitting applications without knowing your score, but it at that point you're feeling more confident about your score, better to get the apps in before January. The schools will begin processing your application when they receive it, and it will remain incomplete until they receive your score. But at least once they receive the score your application is ready to be forwarded to committee for review. If you wait until January to apply, you're delaying the processing of the application by at least a few weeks. Plus it is right after the holiday break - many admissions offices are closed for the week from Christmas to New Year's - so there is always a deluge of applications and mail when they return, so the processing time is even longer than it is in the fall.

Bottom line: better to apply with your best application in December than with a weaker application in October. The benefit of the higher LSAT score and overall stronger application will outweigh the benefit of an earlier application with a lower LSAT score....
Good luck!

Do you know the deadline to switch to Dec test?

You can cancel up until 11:59pm on September 23rd. I emailed LSAC just to be sure, but that is what I read on their website. I think you can sign up for December right now. I was able to keep my September date and sign up for December. I'm keeping my September date just in case I all the sudden become an LSAT genius. However, most likely I am just going to withdraw the night before the test.

ETA: I should also note that I have a few waiver and they may be having me do the process a bit different. You can also request a test date change for $90. The deadline for that too I believe is up until the night before the test.

I am actually going to make sure I get you some solid answers. I emailed them and should hear back in 48 hours.

For the regular September 24th 2016 administration, the test date change deadline is August 30th, not the night/day before the test like the registration withdrawal deadline.

All of the dates and deadlines regarding registration (late registration, test center change, test date change, withdrawing registration, etc.) are published on LSAC's website:

September LSAT dates and deadlines:
http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/test-dates- ... anada-sept

Dates and deadlines for all upcoming administrations including the February 2017 LSAT:
http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/test-dates-deadlines

Ahh! I must have gotten them confused. Thank you for the correction Jeff!

No worries, happy to help. With how often LSAC has been changing their rules/time periods for deadlines, etc. in recent years it's easy to get things mixed up. It sucks that the test date and test center location change deadlines are now such a long time before test day, unlike the way it used to be. Back in the good 'ole days (if such a time has ever really existed for anything in the world lol), LSAC used to let people reschedule/postpone their test date online for up to 3 days AFTER their registered administration date if they didn't show up and check-in on test day! and the fee was only like $28!

Are you kidding!? Now I think it is up to $90 for a date change! Ahhh, I'm nostalgic for the good ol' days I don't remember, haha. I can understand why the LSAC has increased for monetary reasons, but why on Earth have they made the changes so much more difficult? Perhaps it will remain a mystery.

[oidsedidy]

Fwiw I took the Dec. LSAT and it did not affect (to my knowledge) my ability to get in to any of the schools I applied to. I recall many of the T14 deadlines being at or close to Feb. 1, so be mindful of that.

[olikatz]

I actually just made the switch from September to December tonight myself. Before I made the decision I consulted Dean Meeker via PM about if December admissions would hurt me, and this was his reply.




My advice is to wait and take in December if you're not feeling ready for the September test. BUT -- work on getting your applications completed before then. I'd still submit the applications by Thanksgiving if you can (or at the latest just after the LSAT in those first few weeks of December). I know that it means you'd be submitting applications without knowing your score, but it at that point you're feeling more confident about your score, better to get the apps in before January. The schools will begin processing your application when they receive it, and it will remain incomplete until they receive your score. But at least once they receive the score your application is ready to be forwarded to committee for review. If you wait until January to apply, you're delaying the processing of the application by at least a few weeks. Plus it is right after the holiday break - many admissions offices are closed for the week from Christmas to New Year's - so there is always a deluge of applications and mail when they return, so the processing time is even longer than it is in the fall.

Bottom line: better to apply with your best application in December than with a weaker application in October. The benefit of the higher LSAT score and overall stronger application will outweigh the benefit of an earlier application with a lower LSAT score....
Good luck!

Do you know the deadline to switch to Dec test?

You can cancel up until 11:59pm on September 23rd. I emailed LSAC just to be sure, but that is what I read on their website. I think you can sign up for December right now. I was able to keep my September date and sign up for December. I'm keeping my September date just in case I all the sudden become an LSAT genius. However, most likely I am just going to withdraw the night before the test.

ETA: I should also note that I have a few waiver and they may be having me do the process a bit different. You can also request a test date change for $90. The deadline for that too I believe is up until the night before the test.

I am actually going to make sure I get you some solid answers. I emailed them and should hear back in 48 hours.

I'm using the fee waiver too, so even if I wanted to change the test date to December as early as right now, I would have to pay $90?

[Barack O'Drama]

I actually just made the switch from September to December tonight myself. Before I made the decision I consulted Dean Meeker via PM about if December admissions would hurt me, and this was his reply.




My advice is to wait and take in December if you're not feeling ready for the September test. BUT -- work on getting your applications completed before then. I'd still submit the applications by Thanksgiving if you can (or at the latest just after the LSAT in those first few weeks of December). I know that it means you'd be submitting applications without knowing your score, but it at that point you're feeling more confident about your score, better to get the apps in before January. The schools will begin processing your application when they receive it, and it will remain incomplete until they receive your score. But at least once they receive the score your application is ready to be forwarded to committee for review. If you wait until January to apply, you're delaying the processing of the application by at least a few weeks. Plus it is right after the holiday break - many admissions offices are closed for the week from Christmas to New Year's - so there is always a deluge of applications and mail when they return, so the processing time is even longer than it is in the fall.

Bottom line: better to apply with your best application in December than with a weaker application in October. The benefit of the higher LSAT score and overall stronger application will outweigh the benefit of an earlier application with a lower LSAT score....
Good luck!

Do you know the deadline to switch to Dec test?

You can cancel up until 11:59pm on September 23rd. I emailed LSAC just to be sure, but that is what I read on their website. I think you can sign up for December right now. I was able to keep my September date and sign up for December. I'm keeping my September date just in case I all the sudden become an LSAT genius. However, most likely I am just going to withdraw the night before the test.

ETA: I should also note that I have a few waiver and they may be having me do the process a bit different. You can also request a test date change for $90. The deadline for that too I believe is up until the night before the test.

I am actually going to make sure I get you some solid answers. I emailed them and should hear back in 48 hours.

I'm using the fee waiver too, so even if I wanted to change the test date to December as early as right now, I would have to pay $90?

Yes, correct. They told me to just sign up for the December test now, and when I am able to withdraw from the September test, then my other free take will be freed up.

[olikatz]

I actually just made the switch from September to December tonight myself. Before I made the decision I consulted Dean Meeker via PM about if December admissions would hurt me, and this was his reply.




My advice is to wait and take in December if you're not feeling ready for the September test. BUT -- work on getting your applications completed before then. I'd still submit the applications by Thanksgiving if you can (or at the latest just after the LSAT in those first few weeks of December). I know that it means you'd be submitting applications without knowing your score, but it at that point you're feeling more confident about your score, better to get the apps in before January. The schools will begin processing your application when they receive it, and it will remain incomplete until they receive your score. But at least once they receive the score your application is ready to be forwarded to committee for review. If you wait until January to apply, you're delaying the processing of the application by at least a few weeks. Plus it is right after the holiday break - many admissions offices are closed for the week from Christmas to New Year's - so there is always a deluge of applications and mail when they return, so the processing time is even longer than it is in the fall.

Bottom line: better to apply with your best application in December than with a weaker application in October. The benefit of the higher LSAT score and overall stronger application will outweigh the benefit of an earlier application with a lower LSAT score....
Good luck!

Do you know the deadline to switch to Dec test?

You can cancel up until 11:59pm on September 23rd. I emailed LSAC just to be sure, but that is what I read on their website. I think you can sign up for December right now. I was able to keep my September date and sign up for December. I'm keeping my September date just in case I all the sudden become an LSAT genius. However, most likely I am just going to withdraw the night before the test.

ETA: I should also note that I have a few waiver and they may be having me do the process a bit different. You can also request a test date change for $90. The deadline for that too I believe is up until the night before the test.

I am actually going to make sure I get you some solid answers. I emailed them and should hear back in 48 hours.

I'm using the fee waiver too, so even if I wanted to change the test date to December as early as right now, I would have to pay $90?

Yes, correct. They told me to just sign up for the December test now, and when I am able to withdraw from the September test, then my other free take will be freed up.

Oh so by doing that, we avoid the $90 charge? Or is there a fee for withdrawing as well?

[FedReserved]

Just joined planning to take the December LSAT. My journey is a little unique. I'll be graduating in May 2017 with my Pharm.D looking at law school for IP in the industry or government agency.

What would be some of the disadvantages for someone in my position to apply with a Dec lsat with no prior law experience anywhere minus a few policy classes.

[Barack O'Drama]

I actually just made the switch from September to December tonight myself. Before I made the decision I consulted Dean Meeker via PM about if December admissions would hurt me, and this was his reply.




My advice is to wait and take in December if you're not feeling ready for the September test. BUT -- work on getting your applications completed before then. I'd still submit the applications by Thanksgiving if you can (or at the latest just after the LSAT in those first few weeks of December). I know that it means you'd be submitting applications without knowing your score, but it at that point you're feeling more confident about your score, better to get the apps in before January. The schools will begin processing your application when they receive it, and it will remain incomplete until they receive your score. But at least once they receive the score your application is ready to be forwarded to committee for review. If you wait until January to apply, you're delaying the processing of the application by at least a few weeks. Plus it is right after the holiday break - many admissions offices are closed for the week from Christmas to New Year's - so there is always a deluge of applications and mail when they return, so the processing time is even longer than it is in the fall.

Bottom line: better to apply with your best application in December than with a weaker application in October. The benefit of the higher LSAT score and overall stronger application will outweigh the benefit of an earlier application with a lower LSAT score....
Good luck!

Do you know the deadline to switch to Dec test?

You can cancel up until 11:59pm on September 23rd. I emailed LSAC just to be sure, but that is what I read on their website. I think you can sign up for December right now. I was able to keep my September date and sign up for December. I'm keeping my September date just in case I all the sudden become an LSAT genius. However, most likely I am just going to withdraw the night before the test.

ETA: I should also note that I have a few waiver and they may be having me do the process a bit different. You can also request a test date change for $90. The deadline for that too I believe is up until the night before the test.

I am actually going to make sure I get you some solid answers. I emailed them and should hear back in 48 hours.

I'm using the fee waiver too, so even if I wanted to change the test date to December as early as right now, I would have to pay $90?

Yes, correct. They told me to just sign up for the December test now, and when I am able to withdraw from the September test, then my other free take will be freed up.

Oh so by doing that, we avoid the $90 charge? Or is there a fee for withdrawing as well?

Nope. By doing this, we avoid any charge. Thank god, too. I would hate to have to waste money on something so dumb!

[Barack O'Drama]

Just joined planning to take the December LSAT. My journey is a little unique. I'll be graduating in May 2017 with my Pharm.D looking at law school for IP in the industry or government agency.

What would be some of the disadvantages for someone in my position to apply with a Dec lsat with no prior law experience anywhere minus a few policy classes.

Well, first, don't worry about not having taken any law classes, since law schools really don't care. There's even a argument that they don't prefer pre-law majors, but I digress. Anyways, I don't think there would be too much disadvantage in applying after you get your December score back. I mean, truth be told there is an advantage to applying earlier in the cycle, but it is debatable how much that advantage is worth. From what I have been told it is worth it to apply with a better app in December than in September, but even so, there is no one denying that you would be better served getting your apps in sooner. Since you're not graduating until next year anyway, you have another cycle if this one doesn't yield the results you want.

[Pomeranian]

Higher Lsat >>>>>> Applying in September

[Rupert Pupkin]

I actually just made the switch from September to December tonight myself. Before I made the decision I consulted Dean Meeker via PM about if December admissions would hurt me, and this was his reply.




My advice is to wait and take in December if you're not feeling ready for the September test. BUT -- work on getting your applications completed before then. I'd still submit the applications by Thanksgiving if you can (or at the latest just after the LSAT in those first few weeks of December). I know that it means you'd be submitting applications without knowing your score, but it at that point you're feeling more confident about your score, better to get the apps in before January. The schools will begin processing your application when they receive it, and it will remain incomplete until they receive your score. But at least once they receive the score your application is ready to be forwarded to committee for review. If you wait until January to apply, you're delaying the processing of the application by at least a few weeks. Plus it is right after the holiday break - many admissions offices are closed for the week from Christmas to New Year's - so there is always a deluge of applications and mail when they return, so the processing time is even longer than it is in the fall.

Bottom line: better to apply with your best application in December than with a weaker application in October. The benefit of the higher LSAT score and overall stronger application will outweigh the benefit of an earlier application with a lower LSAT score....
Good luck!

That is good advice. I didn't know that you could submit your application without an LSAT score and then they will put it on hold until they receive your score in Dec/Jan?

[Barack O'Drama]

I actually just made the switch from September to December tonight myself. Before I made the decision I consulted Dean Meeker via PM about if December admissions would hurt me, and this was his reply.




My advice is to wait and take in December if you're not feeling ready for the September test. BUT -- work on getting your applications completed before then. I'd still submit the applications by Thanksgiving if you can (or at the latest just after the LSAT in those first few weeks of December). I know that it means you'd be submitting applications without knowing your score, but it at that point you're feeling more confident about your score, better to get the apps in before January. The schools will begin processing your application when they receive it, and it will remain incomplete until they receive your score. But at least once they receive the score your application is ready to be forwarded to committee for review. If you wait until January to apply, you're delaying the processing of the application by at least a few weeks. Plus it is right after the holiday break - many admissions offices are closed for the week from Christmas to New Year's - so there is always a deluge of applications and mail when they return, so the processing time is even longer than it is in the fall.

Bottom line: better to apply with your best application in December than with a weaker application in October. The benefit of the higher LSAT score and overall stronger application will outweigh the benefit of an earlier application with a lower LSAT score....
Good luck!

That is good advice. I didn't know that you could submit your application without an LSAT score and then they will put it on hold until they receive your score in Dec/Jan?

Yeah! The risk is that you don't know how you'll do before you apply. In any case, I know it is going to be better than what I will score in September, so it definitely is going to be my best shot at this cycle.

[Rupert Pupkin]

I actually just made the switch from September to December tonight myself. Before I made the decision I consulted Dean Meeker via PM about if December admissions would hurt me, and this was his reply.




My advice is to wait and take in December if you're not feeling ready for the September test. BUT -- work on getting your applications completed before then. I'd still submit the applications by Thanksgiving if you can (or at the latest just after the LSAT in those first few weeks of December). I know that it means you'd be submitting applications without knowing your score, but it at that point you're feeling more confident about your score, better to get the apps in before January. The schools will begin processing your application when they receive it, and it will remain incomplete until they receive your score. But at least once they receive the score your application is ready to be forwarded to committee for review. If you wait until January to apply, you're delaying the processing of the application by at least a few weeks. Plus it is right after the holiday break - many admissions offices are closed for the week from Christmas to New Year's - so there is always a deluge of applications and mail when they return, so the processing time is even longer than it is in the fall.

Bottom line: better to apply with your best application in December than with a weaker application in October. The benefit of the higher LSAT score and overall stronger application will outweigh the benefit of an earlier application with a lower LSAT score....
Good luck!

That is good advice. I didn't know that you could submit your application without an LSAT score and then they will put it on hold until they receive your score in Dec/Jan?

Yeah! The risk is that you don't know how you'll do before you apply. In any case, I know it is going to be better than what I will score in September, so it definitely is going to be my best shot at this cycle.

Yeah I would take that risk over submitting an application too late. Especially, when looking at our current timeline- July --> Sept---> Dec.

[tofuspeedstar]

Nope, just have your LORs/Transcripts submitted and if you can finish your PS/additional documentation while studying. You'll be fine.