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Hi All,

Graduated from Michigan with a 3.85 LSDAS

161 LSAT... was practicing between 164 - 169. The June 2010 games got me, but I did significantly better in the all the other sections. Could I argue that the other three sections are better indicators of my potential? I'd basically say that the games section was an outlier. ....or should I retake? I want to apply early but could retake... not sure what I'd like to do.

To put this into context, I'd like to apply just about everywhere in the midwest. Top - Notre Dame. Bottom - Pitt. Could my record get me into ND if I applied early + early decision? LSP says im a consider, but ND's range is 163 -167.

Humph.

Opinions, please, if you have them - and I'm sure you do. Thanks in advance.

If you were PT'ing that much higher, then you need to retake so you don't waste that excellent GPA.

I would retake it if you think the Logic Games brought your score down. I had a hard time with the interns game and I thought it was harder than what I had seen on any of the practice tests. I've reviewed those questions since taking the test and in hindsight they weren't that bad, I don't know about you, but for some reason on test day they really threw me for a loop.

If you can bump up your score a few points just from that area, you'd be well within Notre Dame's range. If I were you, I would rather retake it find out if I'm capable of getting a better score over not retaking it and always wondering if I could have gotten the points needed to have more options. If you can get a 3.85 at a school like Michigan, you are definitely capable of getting up to the 164-169 range.

Adrian Yale wrote:Hi All,

Graduated from Michigan with a 3.85 LSDAS

161 LSAT... was practicing between 164 - 169. The June 2010 games got me, but I did significantly better in the all the other sections. Could I argue that the other three sections are better indicators of my potential? I'd basically say that the games section was an outlier. ....or should I retake? I want to apply early but could retake... not sure what I'd like to do.

To put this into context, I'd like to apply just about everywhere in the midwest. Top - Notre Dame. Bottom - Pitt. Could my record get me into ND if I applied early + early decision? LSP says im a consider, but ND's range is 163 -167.

Humph.

Opinions, please, if you have them - and I'm sure you do. Thanks in advance.

I have almost the exact same numbers as you (and I was PT'ing exactly where you were. A couple of outliers on PT's at 170 and 173, respectively. Hoping to make that the norm this time around). 161/3.88. Yeah, I was planning on ED to Notre Dame as well. But I am retaking in hopes that I will be more competitive for places such as ND/BC/Berkeley.

I would retake as well.

You have a great GPA. Don't waste it. Besides, if you retake then you could still ED to ND and maybe get some money off them as well, making ND a significantly better bargain.

Edit: I should also mention that I talked to admissions at ND and they said Oct LSAT scores would be on time in order to consider someone for ED unless there was a problem at your testing center, for example, and scores were placed on hold. In that case, they would throw your application in the regular cycle. So if you retake, it will still be early enough to ED at ND.

You will not get into ND with those numbers. If you can get a 167+, you'll be a lock for ND, WUSTL, UIUC, UMN (all with $$$). If you can get higher than that, you'll be looking at quite a few T14 options.

Fellow midwesterner here with a 3.80/168. I got a 162 on my June 09 LSAT, so I know how you feel. Retaking was the best decision I could have made, and I wasn't even PTing higher. Retaking will not hurt you in terms of getting your apps in early. Just have your PS, LORs, and applications ready to go so that you can send your app in as soon as your score comes back.

Study hard for a retake and good luck on the September test.