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I have a 3.9 and a 172, my LORs and personal statement are probably average, and my softs are mediocre (study abroad and a part-time job). I'll be applying straight out of undergrad, and I am a non-URM from CA.

I'm planning on applying to:

Columbia
NYU
Berkeley
UVa
Duke
UCLA

Should I bother with Harvard or Stanford?

Should I apply lower than UCLA? How much lower?

Will CA residence help my chances at Berkeley?

Should I retake?

Thank you so much; I appreciate any advice!

Apply to HYS, you have a shot.

1. Apply to HYS.
2. Applying to lower than UCLA isn't really worth it considering you will probably get a chunk of money from the lower T14/UCLA already.
3. CA residence will probably not make a big difference.
4. Retake only if you really want HYS.

Thanks! I guess I just need to hurry up and decide if retaking is worth delaying apps.

Retaking for a 173+ is definitely worth delaying apps. Applying late to Yale doesn't hurt you.

I'm really tempted to try one more time; my PT avg was 176ish... But then I remember that I've already taken every available practice test and studied 300+ hours. What kind of score would significantly improve my chances at HYS? (Sorry to keep asking questions, but my family/boyfriend/friends never want to hear about the LSAT again... )

With weak softs and being straight out of undergrad, a retake would mainly increase your chances at Harvard. I'd say you're about 50% right now, a 173-175 would put you at 65-75%, and a 176+ would just about lock it up.