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LSAC GPA 3.86ish from a T20 undergrad (but my degree granting GPA was lower -3.67)

167 on the LSAT

good softs (work experience ect.)- non-URM

I am thinking of retaking the October LSAT but have generally PT'd from 165 to 170 (though I did get the 167 with 10 wrong on the games and I want to believe I can do better then that)

Would love to be considered by Berkeley but I would be very very happy at UCLA

I could use $$ but if EDing would be a huge boost that would allow me to be confident I would get in at UCLA then I'll strongly consider doing that and not taking the October LSAT


Thoughts, advice?

Thanks

Please study and retake. 2-3 points and you could be going to Boalt or UCLA with $$. That's within your range even without studying, so with some concerted efforts you should be able to hit 170+ and go almost anywhere. Do not waste your GPA.

Woozy - thanks! I understand your point and mostly agree -

I am just getting nervous about doing worse in October as I did study pretty hard the first time and am truly awful at logic games. Another meltdown on the LG section with a slightly less solid performance on LR and RC (where I am strong) and I could easily end up with a 164 or 5 lowering my score for schools that average and leaving me applying RD at UCLA with a high score of 167.

That said, I am leaning towards retaking

Anyone else?

jtemp320 wrote:Woozy - thanks! I understand your point and mostly agree -

I am just getting nervous about doing worse in October as I did study pretty hard the first time and am truly awful at logic games. Another meltdown on the LG section with a slightly less solid performance on LR and RC (where I am strong) and I could easily end up with a 164 or 5 lowering my score for schools that average and leaving me applying RD at UCLA with a high score of 167.

That said, I am leaning towards retaking

Anyone else?

First, if you study diligently and intelligently, you will reduce the chances of a meltdown. You may even be able to reduce them to a negligible level if you have the sort of breakthrough that many people report after serious LG practice.

Second, none of the schools in your range average. Although scoring lower will definitely be a slight negative, it will not hurt you too much. It's probably worth the risk even if you stay in your current range. Definitely worth it if you can improve a bit.

Third, you will receive your October score around the end of October and would still have time to apply ED to UCLA.

Those are all good points - thanks for your advice.

I've been so obsessed with getting every app in on the first day I can I didn't realize the fact I can wait to see what my new score is and then ED to UCLA if it makes sense.

You'll get in without the ED.

Retake or not that gpa gives you a good shot at Boalt or UCLA (especially since Boalt looks at GPA more than LSAT)...Why ED and miss out on possibly getting some $$?

I wouldn't ED. You haven't given us a strong case for why you want to go to UCLA so badly that you're willing to forfeit any other chances you might have at peer schools...or better ones for that matter.

ED if you want, but you might get in with your current numbers and get some $$ to boot.

SHARK WEEK! wrote:ED if you want, but you might get in with your current numbers and get some $$ to boot.

Agreed.

Thanks!

My reasons for UCLA are most of all that its a t-15 school that is just a few blocks from where I currently live and have a great life. If you all don't think I need to ED to be a probable then thats great to hear. I would love to go to Boalt because I have always loved the Bay Area and love Berkeley (almost went there undergrad and sometimes regretted that I didn't).

Currently my plan is to retake - thanks for the advice.