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does your first score matter in terms of acceptance in the t-14 if you scored lower than you hoped? So in other words, do I have to knock it out of the park with my first LSAT score to be accepted into Harvard, Univiersity of Chicago, Duke, and the rest of the t-14?? Or do I have some wiggle room?

For example, let's say I score a 150 on my first test, and I score a 174 on my second. Would the schools I mentioned still view me as competitive?

ltowns1 wrote:does your first score matter in terms of acceptance in the t-14 if you scored lower than you hoped? So in other words, do I have to knock it out of the park with my first LSAT score to be accepted into Harvard, Univiersity of Chicago, Duke, and the rest of the t-14?? Or do I have some wiggle room?

For example, let's say I score a 150 on my first test, and I score a 174 on my second. Would the schools I mentioned still view me as competitive?

You'd be fine. Schools might favor an applicant with the same score and one take, but USNWR only counts the highest score so schools will overlook other takes too. That's pretty atypical improvement though. I doubt there are many retakers going from below 50th percentile to 99th percentile.

yeah it's one thing if you feel sick or just bomb the test, but If you think you are only capable of scoring 150 at this time, don't take it! Get your PT average to 170+ and then take it three times, since you can always lose or gain a point on luck alone. This one point may be worth a couple thousand dollars in scholarships!

Dog wrote:

ltowns1 wrote:does your first score matter in terms of acceptance in the t-14 if you scored lower than you hoped? So in other words, do I have to knock it out of the park with my first LSAT score to be accepted into Harvard, Univiersity of Chicago, Duke, and the rest of the t-14?? Or do I have some wiggle room?

For example, let's say I score a 150 on my first test, and I score a 174 on my second. Would the schools I mentioned still view me as competitive?

You'd be fine. Schools might favor an applicant with the same score and one take, but USNWR only counts the highest score so schools will overlook other takes too. That's pretty atypical improvement though. I doubt there are many retakers going from below 50th percentile to 99th percentile.

Yeah anxiety could play a role, but I'm an AA as well so hopefully that could benefit me. I have major anxiety, but I'm also an extremely hard worker who likes challenges. So I could see this scenario for me lol

Yes, you'll still be competitive. I had a similar jump in scores, and have already gotten into two T14s. The only school (I believe) that heavily handicaps retakers is Yale. The rest you should be fine at.

Thanks guys