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I have a 3.2 GPA at a private university (ranked >50 according to US news week); philosophy major with a couple minors. I scored a 163 on the June LSAT. My softs are weak. I plan to pursue a career in politics after law school. With these numbers, what are my chances at school like BC, BU, GW, American, GM, and Georgetown? I am also considering retaking the LSAT; how much would I need to increase my score to substantially improve my chances at the aforementioned schools?

Thanks

jd2121 wrote:I have a 3.2 GPA at a private university (ranked >50 according to US news week); philosophy major with a couple minors. I scored a 163 on the June LSAT. My softs are weak. I plan to pursue a career in politics after law school. With these numbers, what are my chances at school like BC, BU, GW, American, GM, and Georgetown? I am also considering retaking the LSAT; how much would I need to increase my score to substantially improve my chances at the aforementioned schools?

Thanks

URM?

Regardless, retake.

ManoftheHour wrote:

jd2121 wrote:I have a 3.2 GPA at a private university (ranked >50 according to US news week); philosophy major with a couple minors. I scored a 163 on the June LSAT. My softs are weak. I plan to pursue a career in politics after law school. With these numbers, what are my chances at school like BC, BU, GW, American, GM, and Georgetown? I am also considering retaking the LSAT; how much would I need to increase my score to substantially improve my chances at the aforementioned schools?

Thanks

URM?

Regardless, retake.

non-URM

What kind of score would I need to have a realistic shot at those schools?

jd2121 wrote:

ManoftheHour wrote:

jd2121 wrote:I have a 3.2 GPA at a private university (ranked >50 according to US news week); philosophy major with a couple minors. I scored a 163 on the June LSAT. My softs are weak. I plan to pursue a career in politics after law school. With these numbers, what are my chances at school like BC, BU, GW, American, GM, and Georgetown? I am also considering retaking the LSAT; how much would I need to increase my score to substantially improve my chances at the aforementioned schools?

Thanks

URM?

Regardless, retake.

non-URM

What kind of score would I need to have a realistic shot at those schools?

mylsn.info

But your approaching this all wrong. Don't go to any of the schools without scholarship offers. Don't worry about the minimum level to get in, its not worth the debt, worry about crushing your retake and getting $$.

With that GPA you really need a 168+ for an acceptable outcome. 170+ is preferable.

Thanks for the responses!

Say I took the LSAT in December and scored >168 and applied for fall 2014 immediately after the scores were released. Would this make my application so late that the LSAT boost would fail to really help my chances? Or would my chances still be better than if I applied now with a 163? For the purpose of this question, please assume that a >168 was guaranteed on the dec. retake.

Thanks!!!!

168+ in December would be infinitely better than the 163 now. Retake is the only correct response.

Also, please take a look at http://www.lawschooltransparency.com before you apply anywhere. A couple schools on your list will never be worth it. Specifically, I would leave off American and GMU outright. They are not worth it.

matthewsean85 wrote:168+ in December would be infinitely better than the 163 now. Retake is the only correct response.

To add to that, 168+ December is better than a 166 now.

Look at this:

http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 2&t=215104

Falling medians everywhere. A high LSAT score is a rare commodity now.

Study!

Profit!