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[kimkardashian]

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[kimkardashian]

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[cotiger]

Also, I took the LSAT in June and got a 163. 164 is my October score. I'm not going to take it again since apparently I can't do any better despite scoring 165-167 on my diagnostics.

Huh? If you're scoring 165-167 on your PTs, then you've proven that you absolutely can do better than a 164. And at this score range, every point counts.

At this point, Duke, Michigan, Cornell, or Georgetown might take you if you have outstanding softs. Getting to a 166 isn't going to be game-changing, but it will make those acceptances more likely. You're going to be paying sticker regardless.

It looks like you're looking at Boston/NY. In that region, you'll get into BU/BC/Fordham, with some money at least at BC. You shouldn't even be considering those other schools.

As for ED, I highly doubt NYU is happening, especially with their emphasis on LSAT. In general, there's not much of an ED boost to reverse-splitters. Since you're paying sticker anyway, it couldn't hurt to try UVA, then Duke, then GULC, though.

[kimkardashian]

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[kimkardashian]

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[Steveloblaw]

I would love to go to either Duke or UPenn, but Penn is closer to home so if I had to choose, I'd pick Penn. However, Duke sent me a fee waiver, and the Top Law Schools page on fee waivers says that it seems that Duke may give preference to those with fee waivers, so maybe it would be wiser to apply to Duke EDII instead of Penn (if EDII will help me get in)?

I highly doubt that Duke (or any school) has a preference for those that have fee waivers. It just doesn't make sense, on any level. I know that it would suck to retake, but it's worth it.

[cotiger]

I really don't want to retake it though. I think a combination of nerves and the fact that I sometimes didn't practice with a practice section (so the overall practice tests were shorter) is why I score lower on the actual thing.

Do you think I should apply Duke EDII? Or Penn EDII? Does applying EDII help or should I just apply now, regular decision? I'm fortunate enough that price isn't a factor for me, which I'm very grateful for, so my goal is to get into any top 14 school, and if that doesn't work, I'd like to stay in the northeast as I said.

Thank you for your help. I'm not feeling very confident about my chances at anything after reading some of these forums, haha.

The people who got accepted even ED at T14 schools at your GPA range all had higher LSATs. At this point, you're not getting T14 unless you have superb softs (though GULC is a little easier). ED is not going to make much of a difference. However, because it's quite likely that you won't get in any T14, you might as well ED to those places that still have it available. My recommendation would be to target the lower ranked schools with ED (so not Penn, sorry).

If you actually do want to go T14, it would really be worth your while to retake. You haven't been PTing with 5 sections? Perfect. That's an easy avenue for improvement. You've gotten nervous before? Great. This'll be your third time. You have nothing to lose and will be much more comfortable with the test day conditions.

[kimkardashian]

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[kimkardashian]

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[cotiger]

Wait I just realized that Duke's ED program guarantees a response in 10 days. Maybe I should apply to Duke EDII as early as possible (assuming rejection from NYU) and apply to Penn EDII right after if that doesn't work out. Is that allowed?

I'm pretty sure it's fine to do them sequentially, but even if you can't, you should still choose ED Duke over ED Penn. You're not getting into Penn.

[Steveloblaw]

Wait I just realized that Duke's ED program guarantees a response in 10 days. Maybe I should apply to Duke EDII as early as possible (assuming rejection from NYU) and apply to Penn EDII right after if that doesn't work out. Is that allowed?

You're thinking Priority Track, not ED. Priority Track is a 10-day response, and it's not an ED application.

[jbagelboy]

Also, I took the LSAT in June and got a 163. 164 is my October score. I'm not going to take it again since apparently I can't do any better despite scoring 165-167 on my diagnostics.

Huh? If you're scoring 165-167 on your PTs, then you've proven that you absolutely can do better than a 164. And at this score range, every point counts.

At this point, Duke, Michigan, Cornell, or Georgetown might take you if you have outstanding softs. Getting to a 166 isn't going to be game-changing, but it will make those acceptances more likely. You're going to be paying sticker regardless.

It looks like you're looking at Boston/NY. In that region, you'll get into BU/BC/Fordham, with some money at least at BC. You shouldn't even be considering those other schools.

As for ED, I highly doubt NYU is happening, especially with their emphasis on LSAT. In general, there's not much of an ED boost to reverse-splitters. Since you're paying sticker anyway, it couldn't hurt to try UVA, then Duke, then GULC, though.

Actually, 164 is basically the exact estimated test day performance of someone PTing in a zero stress environment at ~166. It is well established that people score on average at the bottom of their PT range. If OP was consistently scoring above 168 or 169, then Id agree he underperformed, but it seems like statistically/reasonably speaking OP did as well as his practice would predict.

[kimkardashian]

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[Steveloblaw]

Interesting - I didn't know that that existed!

Honestly, I don't know. I would call the admissions office and find out.

[cotiger]

Actually, 164 is basically the exact estimated test day performance of someone PTing in a zero stress environment at ~166. It is well established that people score on average at the bottom of their PT range. If OP was consistently scoring above 168 or 169, then Id agree he underperformed, but it seems like statistically/reasonably speaking OP did as well as his practice would predict.

But wouldn't that stress be pretty negligible the third time around? By that time you've gotta be pretty comfortable with the testing environment, and more importantly, you have nothing to lose. No negative consequences for biffing it = no stress, or at least greatly reduced stress.