URM Super Splitter - Need advice Forum

[Legacy Rabbit]

I have had ambitions since I was 14 to attend a TLS. Georgetown is my top choice. However, my performance on the June LSAT was extremely disappointing and I need advice. I have been hesitant about coming to this forum for the truth, but I need to hear it. Here are my details:

GPA: 3.92 (political science)
URM: AA female
LSAT: (wait for it) 147. My eyes are watering as I write this. I am retaking in October and hope for AT LEAST a 156.
Softs: I am the president of the debate team at my college and hold 2 national titles for debate. I did a semester program and interned in Washington D.C., and I am part of a women's leadership/scholarship program among honors societies.

I only prepared for a month before the June test and plan to work my butt off for the next 2 months. But even if I hit let's say a 160 in October, is Georgetown completely out of reach because of my 147?

You are not ready to use any of the non-LSAC LSAT materials or even pay for a tutor. Do not pay for a class. This will all be a waste of your time and money. You will not make a 156 by October. You fundamentally do not understand this test, let alone within the time allotted time. To test a 156 by October, a nine point increase, you will need a private tutor who already understands your weakness, documented your weakness, and has a study plan set for you. The aforementioned in and of itself takes time to assess; it is highly doubtful you will have a tutor who has already properly assessed you THEN begin training you, all before the end of September.

Plus, that number should not be your goal. Only take the LSAT when you are truly ready. You should not sit for this test until you PTing a 168 in test-like condition. Test like conditions means PTing NOT IN YOUR HOUSE. You will know when you are ready to test when you can sit in a starbucks and at least score in the high 160s.

Your ultimate PT goal needs to be in 168-174 range. Do not sit for another test until you have taken ten PT and score within this range in test-like / stressful conditions.

I highly suggest to not consider testing until June 2016 because you need to understand logic. Reviewing an intro to logic book will work wonders for you. If possible it is best to take a class that uses the best book, Copi and Cohen's 14th ed. Intro to Logic. If you cannot find a class, then review this test book in its entirety on your own. The new edition has even better explanations from previous editions and better illustrations for those who self-study. Once you have completed this book and its exercises then review the Powerscore Logic Games Bible and LSAC published books. Also, keep you poli-sci classes political theory books from school. Review these books through your study. Make sure you understand scope and author assumptions of everything you read.

You are more than a rising senior, you are a rising young woman with an amazing future / career ahead of you. You have worked very hard and achieved an exceptional GPA. Please do not waste your GPA with a minimal LSAT score. Lastly, after you achieve your high score negotiate accordingly (you should reach out to your law school advisor at your undergrad for help). If you can achieve a 168-173 you are looking at the high possibility of a full ride at a T50. If you score a 174 you are looking at the possibility for a full ride at a T14.

Thank you for your comments. I looked into taking a Intro to Logic class at my school this semester and enrolled, however it does not use the book you suggested. It uses: Hurley's "A Concise Introduction to Logic". Do you have any opinions about this text?

[terrier27]

Thank you for your comments. I looked into taking a Intro to Logic class at my school this semester and enrolled, however it does not use the book you suggested. It uses: Hurley's "A Concise Introduction to Logic". Do you have any opinions about this text?

Hurley's is the book my class used and I taught myself the material with it, so in that sense it's pretty good. It will seem like a foreign language at first though, just stick with it