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Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 7:20 pm
by bluebean24
Hey All,
I'm having trouble picking out the last schools to apply to. My undergrad GPA was a 3.2 and I scored 159 on the LSAT and am an URM. Ideally I would like to stay on the East Coast and I've been applying to schools like Northeastern, Temple, and Hofstra. Are there any other school suggestions? Or am I aiming to high with those schools? Thank you
Oh, and most of the courses that I took were science courses.
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 7:57 pm
by cinephile
What kind of URM?
And no, you're not aiming high enough. Not nearly high enough.
Also, narrow down "east coast." Pick one city in particular as regional schools are regional.
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 8:00 pm
by eav1277
I have a 3.7 with a 159 (retook in feb). but u can check out my success so far. Same username on lsn
Also I'm sure ull hear it from others but why not retake? Or if ur already planning on doing so, good idea
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 8:19 pm
by bluebean24
I'm an African-American female and would want to practice in New York or Boston
Thanks eav I'll be sure to check it out

Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 8:52 pm
by bluebean24
And I don't think I have time to retake since the next LSAT is in June
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 9:11 pm
by cinephile
Wait, so you're applying this year? It's awfully late for that. Like, you're just wasting your money if you do. Apply next year. And don't apply to third-rate schools. If you want New York, don't accept anything below Fordham. For Boston, BU/BC. But keep in mind that these schools have very low odds of success for their students - about 1 in 3 will get an acceptable outcome.
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 9:16 pm
by bluebean24
Yeah. I was thinking it was pretty late too. I waited too long. Next year would probably be best. Should I retake the LSAT or leave it as is? By acceptable outcomes do you mean admittance or careers after law school?
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 9:18 pm
by John_rizzy_rawls
100% retake. A score in the mid-high 160s and above and you could be looking at the T-20.
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 9:56 pm
by Dr. Dre
bluebean24 wrote:I'm an African-American female and would want to practice in New York or Boston
Thanks eav I'll be sure to check it out

please retake. Take a prep course. I used blueprint prep and powerscore books. PM me if you want to know how I studied.
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 10:00 pm
by eav1277
Since you're african american, you should receive a bigger boost than I did (MA male). But you should definitely retake if you can.
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 10:15 pm
by bluebean24
I didn't want to, but I guess I'll sit the year out. I should have prepared more and applied sooner, but was hesitant about the job market. I'll do the retake in June and try again in September. Or maybe I could apply to Temple or Hofstra and try to transfer?
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 10:21 pm
by kiwi4president
bluebean24 wrote:I didn't want to, but I guess I'll sit the year out. I should have prepared more and applied sooner, but was hesitant about the job market. I'll do the retake in June and try again in September. Or maybe I could apply to Temple or Hofstra and try to transfer?
No.
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 10:35 pm
by Dr. Dre
kiwi4president wrote:bluebean24 wrote:I didn't want to, but I guess I'll sit the year out. I should have prepared more and applied sooner, but was hesitant about the job market. I'll do the retake in June and try again in September. Or maybe I could apply to Temple or Hofstra and try to transfer?
No.
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 10:38 pm
by cinephile
bluebean24 wrote:Yeah. I was thinking it was pretty late too. I waited too long. Next year would probably be best. Should I retake the LSAT or leave it as is? By acceptable outcomes do you mean admittance or careers after law school?
Careers that would pay off the debt you'd incur. If you have $$$ or your parents are paying, then it's a somewhat different story.
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 10:48 pm
by bluebean24
cinephile wrote:bluebean24 wrote:Yeah. I was thinking it was pretty late too. I waited too long. Next year would probably be best. Should I retake the LSAT or leave it as is? By acceptable outcomes do you mean admittance or careers after law school?
Careers that would pay off the debt you'd incur. If you have $$$ or your parents are paying, then it's a somewhat different story.
I don't think I could get them to pay law school. They already paid my undergrad, so I don't have any debt from that.
Would retaking the LSAT in June be too soon? Or should I wait till October?
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 10:49 pm
by Dr. Dre
bluebean24 wrote:cinephile wrote:bluebean24 wrote:Yeah. I was thinking it was pretty late too. I waited too long. Next year would probably be best. Should I retake the LSAT or leave it as is? By acceptable outcomes do you mean admittance or careers after law school?
Careers that would pay off the debt you'd incur. If you have $$$ or your parents are paying, then it's a somewhat different story.
I don't think I could get them to pay law school. They already paid my undergrad, so I don't have any debt from that.
Would retaking the LSAT in June be too soon? Or should I wait till October?
October
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:42 am
by cinephile
I don't think it takes that long to study for the LSAT, honestly. I did it while working and only spent March-May studying for the June test and it worked out just fine. I think so long as you're willing to invest the time in studying and can identify and learn from your mistakes, June isn't too early. But October works just fine too.
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2013 1:07 am
by PRgradBYU
Seriously, retake the LSAT! Retaking was the best thing I ever did (even though I didn't even do that great the second time around). Especially being AA female, if you retake and break into the low 160s, it will make an incredible difference for your cycle prospects. Take the time to find a good LSAT prep course, study like crazy for the next 4 months and dominate the June LSAT.
Edit: If you're starting to plateau around June and not scoring higher on your PTs, take June; if your score seems to be improving each week through the end of May/beginning of June, you may want to consider taking October.
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2013 1:08 am
by Dr. Dre
PRgradBYU wrote:Seriously, retake the LSAT! Retaking was the best thing I ever did (even though I didn't even do that great the second time around). Especially being AA female, if you retake and break into the low 160s, it will make an incredible difference for your cycle prospects. Take the time to find a good LSAT prep course, study like crazy for the next 4 7 months and dominate the June October LSAT.
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2013 1:29 am
by eav1277
Dr Dre is really pushing the October. I understand why though. I think October is the safer option (if you're still in undergrad so you can focus on school and then study all summer). But if your scoring consistently high on PT's, June wouldn't be bad. Def only do June if you're ready though. You could sign up for June and then reschedule if necessary. You'd have to pay an extra fee though to reschedule
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2013 1:30 am
by eav1277
Idk if Dr dre has already recommended a study guide/plan. But NoodleyOne's guide for retakers isn't bad (fellow TLSer who scored 179 on his retake).
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2013 1:46 am
by Rahviveh
eav1277 wrote:Dr Dre is really pushing the October. I understand why though. I think October is the safer option (if you're still in undergrad so you can focus on school and then study all summer). But if your scoring consistently high on PT's, June wouldn't be bad. Def only do June if you're ready though. You could sign up for June and then reschedule if necessary. You'd have to pay an extra fee though to reschedule
Yeah, she only needs a few more points, June is realistic depending on her schedule.
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2013 2:22 am
by John_rizzy_rawls
Intense 3-4 month studying is TCR. If you can put in the hours go for June, if not October.
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2013 3:36 am
by Dr. Dre
John_rizzy_rawls wrote:Intense 3-4 month studying is TCR. If you can put in the hours go for June, if not October.
How many hours per week would be a bit more helpful for OP.
Re: Low Undergrad/Semi-Decent LSAT URM
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2013 3:38 am
by John_rizzy_rawls
Dr. Dre wrote:John_rizzy_rawls wrote:Intense 3-4 month studying is TCR. If you can put in the hours go for June, if not October.
How many hours per week would be a bit more helpful for OP.
Depends on the person and prior prep and familiarity with the test. 15-20 hours a week as a base commitment to scoring above 165 would be a good starting point. Though depending on your weaknesses and strengths this could be insufficient or overkill.