Chances at T14 (especially Penn): 166/3.95 BIG 10 public Forum

[bsk5116]

My goal is to get into a T14 and go straight corporate into NYC biglaw. I only took the LSAT once but that was after 2 months of 3-4 hours a day of studying. I hit my average PT score almost exactly so I'm not sure that retaking would be too useful.

My dream school is Penn. I live in the Philadelphia area and would likely commute from home, saving myself money on room and board. I am strongly considering ED because I know my LSAT is not particularly competitive and want to give myself the slight boost that ED may afford.

I am also very interested in Cornell, Georgetown, Duke, and UVA, but I do not think I have too good a chance of getting real money to any of them either which makes me think I might as well ED at Penn.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!

[malleus discentium]

ED:

Don't ED if you want biglaw. With the exception of NU, ED will get you no scholarship. And unless money is not an issue, don't attend law school at sticker for biglaw.

[smiles123]

IMO you have a good shot of getting cornell and Georgetown with $ if you apply early in the cycle. But I'm no expert

[woodselle]

I'm no expert, but I have similar numbers (166/4.0) and got into Penn, UVA, Duke, Cornell, and Georgetown. I got good money at Cornell, something at Duke (haven't been home to open my letter yet), and nothing at Penn, UVA, or GULC.

I would suggest using a different method of studying maybe and retaking the LSAT if you can. Like you, my dream was Penn, and it's crushing to think that with a better LSAT that could've been financially possible.

[hairbear7]

You'll probably be wait listed, maybe get in but it'll be at sticker. Retake. It sucks, I took the LSAT 3 times but it's def worth it

[downbeat14]

.

[RunnerRunner]

I'll give you $150,000 if you retake (I mean, I won't, but someone will so same difference )

[Mack.Hambleton]

I had basically that same LSAT/GPA after my first take. Then I retook and got a full ride to penn (~160-170k value). Up to u bro

[bsk5116]

Ok now I am really considering doing a retake. Preparation for my first LSAT involved going through the newest Kaplan book, the RC Bible, and a ton of PT's. Any suggestions for how I should revamp my studying this time around? Still have a decent amount of PT's I've yet to touch so I should be good on that front. I'd like to take the June exam so I have two months and a fairly open schedule this semester. Any suggestions??

[hairbear7]

I found the logic games bible useful. Also started with the LSAT trainer. The most important thing is to drill though (Cambridge packets) by question type. Head to the LSAT forum for more specific advice though

[leslieknope]

Ok now I am really considering doing a retake. Preparation for my first LSAT involved going through the newest Kaplan book, the RC Bible, and a ton of PT's. Any suggestions for how I should revamp my studying this time around? Still have a decent amount of PT's I've yet to touch so I should be good on that front. I'd like to take the June exam so I have two months and a fairly open schedule this semester. Any suggestions??

Check out the June/October study threads for more specific recs, but Kaplan is pretty universally regarded as shit. I recommend Manhattan for LR and RC, Powerscore for LG, and the Cambridge packets for drilling. Drill LR hard by type to really get the thought process down after you read Manhattan LR, drill LG hard and use 7sage and their foolproof method to review it, and make sure you're taking tons of timed PTs under real testing conditions.

Also, add another data point to the "retake for profit" column. I took December, studied for a month, retook in February for a 170+, and ended up with way better options even with my new score coming so late. Retaking is rarely not the correct course of action, especially since you'd have your new score in time to apply early.

[RunnerRunner]

Ok now I am really considering doing a retake. Preparation for my first LSAT involved going through the newest Kaplan book, the RC Bible, and a ton of PT's. Any suggestions for how I should revamp my studying this time around? Still have a decent amount of PT's I've yet to touch so I should be good on that front. I'd like to take the June exam so I have two months and a fairly open schedule this semester. Any suggestions??

This tells me that you have an EXCELLENT shot at bumping your score significantly. As others have mentioned: Kaplan is not adequate preparation, you'd have better luck with the bibles/cambridge packs. Plus, lots of people study for more than 2 months, so I don't think you have maxed out by any means. Beyond the above and what others have said, I would try to expose yourself to every logic game from every purchasable test. There really is no reason you should get anything below -2 or -3 on LG, they are very learnable if you put in the time and effort. Props for being smart enough to re-take, seems like way too many people that visit this site are unwilling to consider it and basically blow potentially bright/debt free futures.

[DrSpaceman]

I studied for a few months, expected to break 170+, had done so on PTs. Didn't break 170. Studied for more days, weeks, months. Retook it. Gained 1 point. Wanted to shoot myself.

That said, that was months ago, and if I hadn't retaken, I'd have had a lower LSAT, and would have worse options than I have now. A retake is definitely worth even one more point.

ETA: And I'm going to my #1 choice, which I might not have gotten into had it not been for that one point.