170/ 3.8 Forum

[viacavour]

Really unsure right now of where I should be aiming. I'm retaking the LSAT on Saturday.
Any suggestions?

[20130312]

Blanket T14. Will get acceptances in T6. Will get $ from lesser T14's.

lawschoolnumbers.com

lawschoolpredictor.com

Go forth and prosper.

[cactuarX3]

i have similar numbers although I'm not sure how much that one point counts (170 just sounds SO much better than 169); applied to a number of T20 but just got my apps in last weekend so haven't heard anything yet; you should get your apps in ASAP though; would be very interested to see how your cycle goes, good luck!

[viacavour]

I'm waiting until this weekend to send in my apps. In case I bomb the LSAT and cancel my scores, I don't want them to see that second test date. On the other side of that if I feel I did really well I'm going to write an addendum.
Bad idea?

[crumpetsandtea]

I'm waiting until this weekend to send in my apps. In case I bomb the LSAT and cancel my scores, I don't want them to see that second test date. On the other side of that if I feel I did really well I'm going to write an addendum.
Bad idea?

Just send them now. Honestly your score now is pretty good and it will take them a while to get to your app since you're applying a little later. You might want to list that you're re-taking for schools you're borderline at so they know.

Don't write an addendum until you get your score back. There is nothing more embarrassing than sending in an addendum to explain a score jump and then finding out that you didn't improve by much or actually scored lower.

[crumpetsandtea]

i have similar numbers although I'm not sure how much that one point counts (170 just sounds SO much better than 169); applied to a number of T20 but just got my apps in last weekend so haven't heard anything yet; you should get your apps in ASAP though; would be very interested to see how your cycle goes, good luck!

A 170 is pretty significant over a 169, because it's median/above median for a lot of T14 schools whereas 169 isn't. Also, people just are subconsciously biased when they see the number (IMO, not grounded in science or anything )--kind of like a 2.99 vs 3.00 or a 3.49 vs 3.50. Technically there's only a sliver of a difference, but oftentimes schools will set a soft floor there. It's definitely more challenging to get into a T6 with a 16X compared to a 17X. Of course, having a 3.8-3.9 GPA will help ease that mindblock, but it still exists. Anecdotally, I have a friend with a 3.9X and a similar LSAT score to the two of you who got WL/A at Chicago.

FWIW though, Michigan/Penn/Cornell/Duke/Boalt seem to be very friendly to high GPA/slightly lower LSATs, so you have a great shot there! (:

And I agree--OP, get your apps in ASAP.

[viacavour]

Don't write an addendum until you get your score back.

you can submit additional addenda even after your app has been received?

[crumpetsandtea]

Don't write an addendum until you get your score back.

you can submit additional addenda even after your app has been received?

Yep, you can. They will understand, especially if you've just had a change to your app you need to explain (higher LSAT for example).

[cactuarX3]

argggh, so there is a big difference? goddamn, if it's literally ONE question on the LSAT that ruins my chances of getting into T14, I'm going to jump out the 20th story window of my office

[crumpetsandtea]

argggh, so there is a big difference? goddamn, if it's literally ONE question on the LSAT that ruins my chances of getting into T14, I'm going to jump out the 20th story window of my office

I mean there's a difference, but don't freak out too bad. Your GPA is still high so you should get some good news. I'd suggest considering a retake to get off WLs/to get money though. (:

[spirals]

Just send in your app now. Seriously. Apply to the entire T14, and you'll get in somewhere (likely more than one place). A 170 is high enough for an excellent school. It's not worth it to retake.

[cactuarX3]

Technically there's only a sliver of a difference, but oftentimes schools will set a soft floor there.

any data on LSN to support that (e.g. lots of 170s getting in and then all of a sudden very few 169s getting in with similar GPAs?)

[crumpetsandtea]

any data on LSN to support that (e.g. lots of 170s getting in and then all of a sudden very few 169s getting in with similar GPAs?)

You're free to go look if you'd like. (:

[cactuarX3]

glanced at a few graphs at some of the T14 schools; looks like in many cases, acceptances at 170 turned into WLs at 169; damn, looks like i got a few tickets for the WL train this cycle

[crumpetsandtea]

glanced at a few graphs at some of the T14 schools; looks like in many cases, acceptances at 170 turned into WLs at 169; damn, looks like i got a few tickets for the WL train this cycle

Again, I'd recommend considering a retake: worst case, it doesn't help. Best case, you get into a school you might not have, or you get $$! I had a friend with a 3.8X/168 who got WL-ed at Michigan; retook in June, got a 171 and got in off the WL with a half scholarship. I know it's just an anecdote and 1 example, but IMO that one shot makes it worth it.

[cactuarX3]

wait, so he was still riding the waitlist in June (as in 2-3 months before school was going to start?) and they still considered that score? AND had a spot for him AND had money left over?

[Tiago Splitter]

wait, so he was still riding the waitlist in June (as in 2-3 months before school was going to start?) and they still considered that score? AND had a spot for him AND had money left over?

This happens all the time. People often double or triple deposit and don't make their final decision until June or July.

[soj]

wait, so he was still riding the waitlist in June (as in 2-3 months before school was going to start?) and they still considered that score? AND had a spot for him AND had money left over?

This happens all the time. People often double or triple deposit and don't make their final decision until June or July.

Aren't people discouraged if not prohibited from double depositing? I thought when you deposit at a school, you're supposed to withdraw from all the other schools you got into, but you're not obligated to withdraw from any waitlists.

[crumpetsandtea]

wait, so he was still riding the waitlist in June (as in 2-3 months before school was going to start?) and they still considered that score? AND had a spot for him AND had money left over?

Yep. And they got back to him in like, a week. People get off the waitlist as late as July/August. The friend I mentioned in this quote:

Anecdotally, I have a friend with a 3.9X and a similar LSAT score to the two of you who got WL/A at Chicago.

Didn't get accepted into UChi until mid-August. He'd already found an apartment in a city for a different T14 but decided to find a subleaser and go to Chi anyway.

[Tiago Splitter]

wait, so he was still riding the waitlist in June (as in 2-3 months before school was going to start?) and they still considered that score? AND had a spot for him AND had money left over?

This happens all the time. People often double or triple deposit and don't make their final decision until June or July.

Aren't people discouraged if not prohibited from double depositing? I thought when you deposit at a school, you're supposed to withdraw from all the other schools you got into, but you're not obligated to withdraw from any waitlists.

None of the schools I was accepted to had this language in their acceptance letters. I believe the second deposit, usually due in June or July, is the one that also requires withdrawal of other apps. The second one seems to also be much more expensive, so that aspect also helps force a decision. I'm also under the impression that schools can find out from LSAC whether people have open apps at other schools after a certain date (like June 15th.)

[soj]

You're probably right. I was thinking of the second deposit.

[UnamSanctam]

argggh, so there is a big difference? goddamn, if it's literally ONE question on the LSAT that ruins my chances of getting into T14, I'm going to jump out the 20th story window of my office

Everything Crumps has told you in this thread is sound advice (she's smart). That said, don't have a panic attack. I'm 3.27/169 and got Mich (granted, ED). With a much better GPA, you're going to see some T14 love somewhere.

[cactuarX3]

Umam, thanks for the vote of confidence!

Did you have any amazing softs/WE/URM?

[UnamSanctam]

Umam, thanks for the vote of confidence!

Did you have any amazing softs/WE/URM?

I'm still in UG. Basically no softs, no WE, and white as rice. I am in-state and ED, but that's not supposed to be a big boost at Mich. I stand by what I said.

[viacavour]

what does WE stand for?