Top Law Schools

So my GPA is decent but I underperformed on the december LSAT (was getting high 160s and even some 170-174s before I took the test), now I'm freaking out. My top 3 choices, U Mich, Cornell and Duke, seem like a total pipe dream. Also applying to Notre Dame, Boston College, UW (from Washington) and GW. Advice? Chances??


gahhhh

Probably out at those T14s. You owe it to yourself to retake. Many people underperform on their first take. . Same thing happened to me and I killed it second go around.

My advice is don't waste your 3.8, especially if you were scoring significantly higher on PTs (assuming proper testing conditions). Continue studying until you are consistently hitting 173 and above, and then retake. That would leave you more room for error on test day, assuming the real thing rattles you a little. And if you don't underperform, you would be looking at huge money at your top choices -- and acceptances in the T6.

The idea of delaying a year is pretty dreadful though. I'd really much prefer to continue my education straight through from UG.

Would it hurt to apply to 4 or 5 T20 schools and see how I do, then maybe try again early next cycle?

reedobandito wrote:The idea of delaying a year is pretty dreadful though. I'd really much prefer to continue my education straight through from UG.

Would it hurt to apply to 4 or 5 T20 schools and see how I do, then maybe try again early next cycle?

You may much prefer it, but both law schools and law firms prefer those who have had full-time work experience before entering law school (at least as compared to those who have not, all else equal).

You need to take a year off, find a good and/or enjoyable job for a year, and retake the LSAT in June.

I'm almost 30 and put off going to law school for an extra year to retake the LSAT. Last year at this time I was looking at the Hastings and Houstons of the law school world, now I'm in at your favorites Duke and Cornell. You don't have a good excuse for not waiting one measly little year.

Retake.