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I had initially written off Harvard as I thought that even if I did manage to get in I would be at median and wouldn't get much FA, until I discovered that their FA is entirely need-based. It would really be my top choice as I'm from MA and would love to stay in the area, but BU/BC are a little lower than I'm aiming right now - I'm looking mainly at lower T14 where I think I could get in with decent money. While I think I have more than a marginal shot at getting in with these numbers, mylsn gives me much better chances with a 172-173, so I've started *gasp* considering retaking even though I was very happy with this score when I got it

If I were to retake, it would likely be in December as I'm finishing up school and working a job in the summer that won't really allow me time to study and do PTs. Would this negatively affect my chances? I'm just not really sure how much I can improve given that my LSAT score was pretty much my highest PT score, although I don't know if I studied as much as some people (did about 8PTs, lots of sections, 163 diagnostic). I could submit my app before then, and indicate that I was retaking the LSAT right? Or should I just take my chances with these numbers and not deal with the hassle/potentially heartbreaking disappointment of retaking?

JustMe83 wrote:I had initially written off Harvard as I thought that even if I did manage to get in I would be at median and wouldn't get much FA, until I discovered that their FA is entirely need-based. It would really be my top choice as I'm from MA and would love to stay in the area, but BU/BC are a little lower than I'm aiming right now - I'm looking mainly at lower T14 where I think I could get in with decent money. While I think I have more than a marginal shot at getting in with these numbers, mylsn gives me much better chances with a 172-173, so I've started *gasp* considering retaking even though I was very happy with this score when I got it

If I were to retake, it would likely be in December as I'm finishing up school and working a job in the summer that won't really allow me time to study and do PTs. Would this negatively affect my chances? I'm just not really sure how much I can improve given that my LSAT score was pretty much my highest PT score, although I don't know if I studied as much as some people (did about 8PTs, lots of sections, 163 diagnostic). I could submit my app before then, and indicate that I was retaking the LSAT right? Or should I just take my chances with these numbers and not deal with the hassle/potentially heartbreaking disappointment of retaking?

Apply in the fall, no need to let them know you're retaking the LSAT. Retake in December. If you get in before you get your score back, cancel, and congrats. If you don't, retake. If higher, send them a LOCI and mention it. If lower, just don't mention it, it probably won't affect your chances.

badaboom61 wrote:

JustMe83 wrote:I had initially written off Harvard as I thought that even if I did manage to get in I would be at median and wouldn't get much FA, until I discovered that their FA is entirely need-based. It would really be my top choice as I'm from MA and would love to stay in the area, but BU/BC are a little lower than I'm aiming right now - I'm looking mainly at lower T14 where I think I could get in with decent money. While I think I have more than a marginal shot at getting in with these numbers, mylsn gives me much better chances with a 172-173, so I've started *gasp* considering retaking even though I was very happy with this score when I got it

If I were to retake, it would likely be in December as I'm finishing up school and working a job in the summer that won't really allow me time to study and do PTs. Would this negatively affect my chances? I'm just not really sure how much I can improve given that my LSAT score was pretty much my highest PT score, although I don't know if I studied as much as some people (did about 8PTs, lots of sections, 163 diagnostic). I could submit my app before then, and indicate that I was retaking the LSAT right? Or should I just take my chances with these numbers and not deal with the hassle/potentially heartbreaking disappointment of retaking?

Apply in the fall, no need to let them know you're retaking the LSAT. Retake in December. If you get in before you get your score back, cancel, and congrats. If you don't, retake. If higher, send them a LOCI and mention it. If lower, just don't mention it, it probably won't affect your chances.

But isn't it more likely that you just get rejected before you get your December (supposedly much better) score in? Then it wouldn't have made sense. I'd say just hold off and apply early January.

You didn't study very much compared to a lot of people here. There are plenty of posters who have done every LSAT question in existence at least once. And from my experience as an LSAT instructor, I can say that I've never had a student with your diagnostic score who failed to beat 170 as long as they were willing to study as much as necessary.

Definitely retake.

parkcity wrote: But isn't it more likely that you just get rejected before you get your December (supposedly much better) score in? Then it wouldn't have made sense. I'd say just hold off and apply early January.

This is terrible advice. Barring criminal stuff no one is getting rejected from Harvard in December; they just don't start the process that soon. Telling a 3.9/170 to apply in January is among the worst pieces of advice I've seen on here.

OP, apply early. Your December score will only matter if it's better (shoot for 173).

Pneumonia wrote:

parkcity wrote: But isn't it more likely that you just get rejected before you get your December (supposedly much better) score in? Then it wouldn't have made sense. I'd say just hold off and apply early January.

This is terrible advice. Barring criminal stuff no one is getting rejected from Harvard in December; they just don't start the process that soon. Telling a 3.9/170 to apply in January is among the worst pieces of advice I've seen on here.

OP, apply early. Your December score will only matter if it's better (shoot for 173).

OK apologies then. That was my understanding of the timing of applications, but then again I am very green compared to most of you on here. OP, listen to the TLS veterans, not me. You have awesome stats, I believe you'll get in either way.