166 -> 177, 3.7 GPA, How much does the 166 hurt my chances? Forum

[PCSur]

From what I have gathered on TLS, my GPA is the factor that will probably keep me out of at least Yale and Stanford (and probably Harvard), but how much do you think the initial 166 LSAT will affect my chances at CCN? And money chances at the rest of the T14? I have also gathered from TLS that I should not write an addendum for the 177, because it would just say that "I wasn't set on law school and didn't take the first test that seriously..."

I will be 4/5 years out of undergrad when I apply, with two years of Peace Corps service and two years of WE. Softs and LOR are average.

[JamMasterJ]

The addendum thing isn't necessarily true.
http://www.top-law-schools.com/retaking-the-lsat.html
Use this to decide whether you should include it. It will be on a school-by-school basis

[JamMasterJ]

I would be surprised if it really affected money

[lakerfanimal]

It won't. I didn't write any addendums and had your same first score with a slightly higher gpa, but much lower second score and I was fine. Good luck. You probably won't break the top 3 because of the GPA, but with a good application you definitely have a shot everywhere else.

[RedItalus10]

a jump that significant is proof enough that the first score was not indicative of your abilities. you'll be fine.

[xcountryjunkie]

I wouldn't bet on your cracking HYS, but they are certainly worth a shot. HLS seems to enjoy WLing people with your numbers, but does throw out the occasional acceptance.

Most people with your numbers end up at CCN with a little $ or somewhere lower if they want the $$$$.

[Corwin]

You should be in with money at CCN, UVa, GULC, Michigan, etc. Probably out at HYS, but who knows. It's happened at your numbers before. Congratulations on such a large improvement in your score!

[JamMasterJ]

It won't. I didn't write any addendums and had your same first score with a slightly higher gpa, but much lower second score and I was fine. Good luck. You probably won't break the top 3 because of the GPA, but with a good application you definitely have a shot everywhere else.

Michigan asks for an explanation of a jump that significant

[lakerfanimal]

It won't. I didn't write any addendums and had your same first score with a slightly higher gpa, but much lower second score and I was fine. Good luck. You probably won't break the top 3 because of the GPA, but with a good application you definitely have a shot everywhere else.

Michigan asks for an explanation of a jump that significant

It says an explanation would be very helpful. http://www.law.umich.edu/prospectivestu ... .aspx#lsat
Other schools also use similar terminology. To the OP- if you have a good reason why you did poorly on the first test, then you could write an addendum. I didn't and thus didn't add an addendum. I got into places where they suggested I write one, and got wait-listed at places with the same stance. In the end I don't think it made much difference, if at all. Hope that helps.

[ahduth]

Looking back to the panel Deans Z, Perry, and Post held at the Sidley Austin offices last summer, they told us a jump of this magnitude should be explained, because otherwise it represents an "open question" on your application. Obviously it's not bad that you were able to raise your score 11 points, but what's the story behind the 166? Giving them a short addendum saying you soiled yourself during the first administration, but were far more confident during the second, "closes" the question around that 166 score. They can then use the 177 score without any nagging doubts.

edit: oh, and it doesn't change you chances one whit. CCN easy. H, meh. That resume sounds like Stanford potentially though?

[Snape]

Some people are forgetting peace corps and other softs--which will surely help with the GPA....your obviously going to blanket the T-14 so what does it really matter what your chances are besides that you have a chance everywhere....apply early to Harvard wit ha great PS about the Peace Corps and law and all that good stuff--CC may also be tough because only your LSAT is 75%--no different than a 174 really so the extra points are nice but do nothing more for their US News Rankings....NYU on down you should be good with decent money