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Hey all,
Graduated from a T-20 UG a half-dozen years ago, some very compelling softs, non-URM, but a HORRID test taker. I applied very late cycle this year, and have a couple of options for this fall, but all at schools that are below my ideal....

If I were to take the LSAT again (I cringe at the thought), how much would my old LSAT scores continue to haunt me at NYU, UPENN, MICH, UVA, GULC, UCLA? Would a 170 suffice?

Or is it better to say "screw it," go back to school this fall at a T-50, and apply to transfer? I'm ready to be back in the classroom, but I don't want to sell myself short if all that is standing in my way is 8 more right answers on the LSAT...

Thanks,
WellGee

Don't plan on transferring. You probably won't, because it's extremely difficult, especially from the schools you would go to with your score. If you want to go to these schools, retake. Your old score shouldn't hold you back much, especially if the score increase is substantial.

thanks radlaw.

anyone else have experience or feedback?

A 170 should be good for GULC or UVA with ED, or maybe UCLA without. Normally, a 169 would give you a good shot at Michigan (tons of people admitted in that range last year), but not with two prior scores haunting you; a 171 or so should give you a good shot, though. For NYU, a 174 or so would give you a good shot, but the prior scores might mean you'd need more like a 176. Penn waitlists a ton of people but does seem to have a sweet spot around 174/3.65; again, though, your prior scores might hurt.

Also consider Northwestern if you retake and get above a 170.

it's all going to be the same advice. never go to a school with plans to transfer. this is especially true if you want to transfer to a t14. re-take the lsat. prior scores won't hurt too much unless you want HYS. I don't even think CCN averages.

retake. if you can get a 163, you can get to the next plateau with a little gumption.

and NYU averages. i know this because they were really the only school that didn't give me the time of day b/c my average score is 170, and my high score is 176. even yale was more interested in me than nyu.

How did you practice for the LSAT? What were you scoring in practice tests?

thanks so much guys, really helpful advice.

scribelaw, this last time I took a 2 month class, and then practiced for 2 weeks just doing one full-test a day -- which helped a ton. I was practicing at 166-167 in the days leading up the test, but ended up freezing up on an unfamiliar logic game (normally my best section). After wasting too much time on it, I tanked that game and didn't have time to finish the final one. live and learn I guess...

NYU- Average
Penn - highest
Michigan -highest
UVA - Highest
GULC - Their policy claims that if you have taken it only two times, then they will take the highest. Otherwise they will average
UCLA - Highest

Some of these schools (UCLA and Mich) will require an LSAT addendum if you go from 163 to 170. They will want an explanation for such an increase.