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Here's the situation. I've been studying hard on the LSAT for about 6 weeks now and have improved from a 149 diagnostic to a high score of 161 (even though I completely bombed the RC section) and consistent scores in the high 150s. I'm showing steady improvement in individual game sections and feel more and more confident in my ability to understand the writers of the test and I know I have the ability to at least consistently score in the mid 160s. My GPA is a 3.37 with a strong upward trend (3.5 junior year and 3.9 senior year), strong LOR, extra curricular involvement, travel and service in South Korea and Peru, and an NCAA walk-on athlete.

SMU is the goal. Ive been out of school for a year and am married, Im ok with full time or part time admission. I'm signed up for the Oct test in order to take advantage of the of the early application deadline. So the question is: should I go ahead and take in Oct with my LSAT where it is or wait to until December? Does the early application significantly strengthen my chances of admission? Or is it reasonable to take in Oct, see how it comes out, and make a decision from there? Just looking for some advice and feedback on how to proceed based on my profile. Thanks!

Applying early makes a huge difference at SMU so if you can pull it off, October would be the preferred test.

As far as score, with your gpa you need to have your lsat in the 162 range to get a sniff at part time. SMU is really big on the LSAT so if you can get it up to 163-165 I'd say your in and probably with money to pt.

Lots of smu people actively post on here, so I'm sure someone will have a better more thorough answer than me but that's my two cents. PM me if you have any specific questions.

Daddy Bird is right. At least a 161-162 for PT, and 165 for FT.

fathergoose wrote:Applying early makes a huge difference at SMU so if you can pull it off, October would be the preferred test.

TITCR. My numbers were a little lower than a lot of people who were getting dinged in April and May, and I feel like I got that leg up because I applied in early early November.