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172 retake (w/ addendum for lower score), 3.65

Only interested in schools in the northeast. Interested in biglaw or prosecution.

Planning to apply to Columbia, NYU, Penn, and Cornell. CLS would be top choice (and ideally I would ED there), but I don't want to risk being shut out from all of CLS, NYU, and Penn. LSN seems to suggest that Penn and NYU RD are good shots, so I am leaning toward an ED @ CLS. But I also don't want to shoot too highly and miss out on all of the three if an ED at either NYU or Penn would have pushed me over the edge.

Many thanks!

I wouldn't ED Penn as I think you have a great shot of getting in RD, if even off the WL.

I think with an ED to NYU it'd be close to a lock while an ED to Columbia would be riskier. Up to you.

what was your first score? and how long ago did you take the first?

leebs2 wrote:what was your first score? and how long ago did you take the first?

167 in Feb '11 and 172 in Dec '11

cincinnatus19 wrote:

leebs2 wrote:what was your first score? and how long ago did you take the first?

167 in Feb '11 and 172 in Dec '11

I don't think this matters. I got a 166 on my first, ended up with a 173 with a lower GPA and I got into NYU (albeit off the WL). Still WL at Columbia and Penn, but I think Penn would take you with the higher GPA despite it being still under median.

thelawyler wrote:

cincinnatus19 wrote:

leebs2 wrote:what was your first score? and how long ago did you take the first?

167 in Feb '11 and 172 in Dec '11

I don't think this matters. I got a 166 on my first, ended up with a 173 with a lower GPA and I got into NYU (albeit off the WL). Still WL at Columbia and Penn, but I think Penn would take you with the higher GPA despite it being still under median.

Did you get deferred from ED at any of those schools? Or is that all RD?

I got all three with 3.55/172.

cincinnatus19 wrote:

thelawyler wrote:

cincinnatus19 wrote:

leebs2 wrote:what was your first score? and how long ago did you take the first?

167 in Feb '11 and 172 in Dec '11

I don't think this matters. I got a 166 on my first, ended up with a 173 with a lower GPA and I got into NYU (albeit off the WL). Still WL at Columbia and Penn, but I think Penn would take you with the higher GPA despite it being still under median.

Did you get deferred from ED at any of those schools? Or is that all RD?

ED deferral at Columbia.

Thanks for all of the help. One quick follow-up question. Should I consider re-taking the LSAT in October? I don't want to risk harming my chances at admissions and/or money should I score less than my most recent test. But I also would love to take a shot at improving my score if even by a point or two and helping my chances with CLS/NYU. What do y'all think?

A number of people have suggested that ED doesn't increase your chances of admission at CLS. I'd ED NYU in your position.

So here is some information:

CLS 2011-12 Cycle
http://columbia.lawschoolnumbers.com/ap ... ,8&type=jd

(all people around your numbers were either Accepted or WLd no outright dings)


NYU 2011-12 Cycle

http://nyu.lawschoolnumbers.com/applica ... ,8&type=jd

(looks like one outright ding, but a lot more acceptances than CLS)


Penn 2011-12 Cycle

http://penn.lawschoolnumbers.com/applic ... ,8&type=jd

(less acceptances than I would have thought)


Maybe searching through these will help you with your decision? From the looks of it an ED to NYU would be your highest chance of acceptance, but I think you have a decent chance of getting into all three without EDing, especially if you have some solid softs.

cincinnatus19 wrote:Thanks for all of the help. One quick follow-up question. Should I consider re-taking the LSAT in October? I don't want to risk harming my chances at admissions and/or money should I score less than my most recent test. But I also would love to take a shot at improving my score if even by a point or two and helping my chances with CLS/NYU. What do y'all think?

I had a 3.59/171 which I retook in October in my application year and got a 175. Got acceptances in the first RD acceptance cycles for CLS/NYU/Chicago.

I definitely think it's worth it to retake IF you're consistently testing at higher than a 172 right before the test date. I think the 175 really improved my chances at both CLS and NYU.

Yes a 175 does make the difference as it ups their 75% score.