3.74, 171/177 Forum

[Ship87]

Hey I'm seeing what people's perspective is on my stats. I'm a physics and economics double major with a 3.74 GPA. My June LSAT was 171 and my October retake just came in at a 177. Do you think most schools will just average the two scores or do you think they'll take the 177 with more weight? My thought is that 171 is already a good score, but I took it again because I didn't think it reflected accurately on my actual abilities and my new score shows that. On a related note, you think 6 points higher worthy of an addendum?

Other info: I go to a regular state school in PA, I have lots of extra-currics and a couple of awards, no substantial work experience. I'm aiming for CCN, and now I'm also applying to HYS just to see.

[s0ph1e2007]

Hey I'm seeing what people's perspective is on my stats. I'm a physics and economics double major with a 3.74 GPA. My June LSAT was 171 and my October retake just came in at a 177. Do you think most schools will just average the two scores or do you think they'll take the 177 with more weight? My thought is that 171 is already a good score, but I took it again because I didn't think it reflected accurately on my actual abilities and my new score shows that. On a related note, you think 6 points higher worthy of an addendum?

Other info: I go to a regular state school in PA, I have lots of extra-currics and a couple of awards, no substantial work experience. I'm aiming for CCN, and now I'm also applying to HYS just to see.

Not worthy of addendum. 6 points higher means that most schools will ignore your 171 and only look at 177 (this is the official stance of Columbia) and I think you have a decent shot at CCN with a good PS. HYS even may give you a shot.

Good luck, seems like you're in good shape.

[Ship87]

Thanks, Sophie!

[Ship87]

One more thing that I didn't mention regarding an addendum:
The reason I got a 171 is because I misread a condition on the last logic games. If I had not mis-read that condition and presumably not missed 4 points in that one game, I would have received a 175 LSAT. Is saying the above going to look like a cop-out to a bad score, or will it possibly increase the odds that the committee will focus solely on the 177? What's the possible cost of adding an addendum like that, will it turn off the committee strongly? My average LSAT is 174, so if I can try to get the committee the focus on the 177, that's like increasing the score by +3. Thoughts?

[stratocophic]

One more thing that I didn't mention regarding an addendum:
The reason I got a 171 is because I misread a condition on the last logic games. If I had not mis-read that condition and presumable not missed 4 points in that one game, I would have received a 175 LSAT. Is saying the above going to look like a cop-out to a bad score, or will it possibly increase the odds that the committee will focus solely on the 177? What's the possible cost of adding an addendum like that, will it turn of the committee strongly? My average LSAT is 174, so if I can try to get the committee the focus on the 177, that's like increasing the score by +3. Thoughts?

A helpful addendum would say something about severe insomnia or a death in the family that morning. If anything it seems like your situation would make them more likely to focus on the 171. You're essentially saying that you legitimately blew some questions and have no excuse for it, just a reason.

[Ship87]

I think you're right, stratocophic. Thanks for helping me!

[XxSpyKEx]

One more thing that I didn't mention regarding an addendum:
The reason I got a 171 is because I misread a condition on the last logic games. If I had not mis-read that condition and presumably not missed 4 points in that one game, I would have received a 175 LSAT. Is saying the above going to look like a cop-out to a bad score, or will it possibly increase the odds that the committee will focus solely on the 177? What's the possible cost of adding an addendum like that, will it turn off the committee strongly? My average LSAT is 174, so if I can try to get the committee the focus on the 177, that's like increasing the score by +3. Thoughts?

I would not include that as an addendum. You misread the facts on a HYPO on a law school exam, you bomb the exam. You misread something out in the real world, you get sued for malpractice. I recognize there's a lot of time pressure on the LSAT, but there are also time pressures in the real world (although they are never anywhere near as bad as on the LSAT) Anyways, misreading something is not a good reason for an addendum.

[stratocophic]

I think you're right, stratocophic. Thanks for helping me!

NP, enjoy Columbia