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Took my first LSAT in December with a 159, though I had been averaging 163-165 on my last 6 or 7 practice tests. 3.53 with a Finance major and Poli Sci minor. Thinking about applying to:
Baylor
Penn State
Notre Dame
University of Washington
Cal - Hastings
Cal - Davis

Thinking it makes the most sense to retake in June and apply early for the next cycle... Are there any downfalls to applying to the above schools to see if I can get in? Or is it pointless?

If you were averaging 163-165, then definitely retake. That's a major difference.

Why Baylor and not other Texas schools?

Baylor seems like a better geographical location and I am close with a professor who is an adjunct professor there.

UT is my first choice but there seems like no chance I can get in with this LSAT/GPA and I feel like applying twice would be really damaging because my letters of rec are really strong, including from a current Attorney General, so my second application would end of being too much about my LSAT improvement and not the other application positives I bring that might get a more favorable review early in the next cycle.

Does that make sense?

jbryant1987 wrote:Baylor seems like a better geographical location and I am close with a professor who is an adjunct professor there.

Baylor is an awful location. What makes you think it's better? If you want to be in Texas, go to UT / SMU / UofH.

jbryant1987 wrote:UT is my first choice but there seems like no chance I can get in with this LSAT/GPA and I feel like applying twice would be really damaging because my letters of rec are really strong, including from a current Attorney General, so my second application would end of being too much about my LSAT improvement and not the other application positives I bring that might get a more favorable review early in the next cycle.

Does that make sense?

Your LOR's mean nothing next to a higher LSAT. Also, the AG letter sounds nice, but what does he know about you? Is it a personal letter?

Don't apply now, go back, retake and then apply.

Liked Baylor for being between Austin and Dallas. My letter of rec is personal, worked with him on different things over the course of 4 years. Not expecting it to make a difference, but seems like the prevailing notion is applying early gets your application looked at a little more in depth.

Sounds like I should look at SMU and U of H as well, thanks for the advice.

The fact that Baylor is between Dallas and Austin is actually distinct disadvantage.

That's cool on the AG, it might actually be more helpful than you think.

Definitely retake though.