Retake with 174/3.6 ? Forum

[frasier]

[deleted]

[DaHead2Head514]

nah, scoring lower won't hurt. honestly if you have the time, (which i assume you don't because of your profession) i'd give the retake a go, but otherwise you're in a great position for some dollas at C/N.

[js1663]

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[RareExports]

Man, if only policy debate counted as a strong soft. It should.

On topic: I don't see much upside to retaking. You could retake in October and maybe score a point or two better. I don't think that will help much. There's a lot of noise in the 174-180 score range. Maybe a second mid-170s score would reinforce that the first take wasn't a fluke, but that would just be a feather on the scale.

Even if you apply as soon as apps open, you will almost definitely not receive a rejection back from any school before you get your October LSAT score, so that hypothetical should not be an issue. Decisions for top schools do not start to come out until November and December, and rejections are typically even later.

Also, UG alum status will likely have no impact on law school admissions. Different schools, different administration.

Best of luck, you should be in for a good cycle!

[OhBoyOhBortles]

I think you're looking at $$ at multiple T14s, potentially $$$. I'd go with it. But, if you feel you could do better, there is no harm in going for it. Either way, you've got a good cycle ahead of you.

[frasier]

nah, scoring lower won't hurt. honestly if you have the time, (which i assume you don't because of your profession) i'd give the retake a go, but otherwise you're in a great position for some dollas at C/N.

Thank you for the response.

So you think admission is highly likely at Columbia / NYU? I know money is hard to predict, but any ballpark for %?

You're right about the LSAT prep time trading off with work... It's a grind to be sure. But I just figure that if someone offered me $XX,000 to grind test prep for 2 months, then I would absolutely take that deal. Obviously there is some risk to adjust for in this situation, but I think it helps to motivate my decision.

[frasier]

Retake if you think you can do better - you're still below harvard's 75th if you can get at or above a 175 your chances should increase significantly there though you won't be a shoe in. Honestly I'd imagine you're out at YS though Y seems to like (or at least takes a lot of) HYSP undergrads and it can't hurt for HYSCCN - worst case scenario if you score lower you lose nothing, and the higher LSAT should give you a better chance for scholarships and acceptances at HYSCCN where acceptances aren't a given, and scholarships further down in the T14 should you choose to go for the money. Seems like a win win situation

Hey, thanks for the response.

I think the case for retaking is strong, and I would of course back out prior to the test if I had any indication that I would do poorly.

But I just find it hard to believe that admissions office folk really don't care about the lower scores. Do they have all scores sitting in front of them, or does LSAC only send them the top score?

[CanadianWolf]

Editor-in-Chief for a major campus publication while an undergraduate student at Columbia might be worth noting in your law school PS.
If you can prepare properly, retake the LSAT because you are concerned about your 3.6 GPA & will always wonder "what if" if you fail to gain T-6 admission with some scholarship money. Psychologically you seem ready for a retake & that is a plus. Even if you score 174 again, that should work in your favor for the lower schools in the T-6. Chicago, however, loves high GPAs. Apply to Columbia, NYU, Penn & any other T-14 that interest you.

[frasier]

Man, if only policy debate counted as a strong soft. It should.

On topic: I don't see much upside to retaking. You could retake in October and maybe score a point or two better. I don't think that will help much. There's a lot of noise in the 174-180 score range. Maybe a second mid-170s score would reinforce that the first take wasn't a fluke, but that would just be a feather on the scale.

Even if you apply as soon as apps open, you will almost definitely not receive a rejection back from any school before you get your October LSAT score, so that hypothetical should not be an issue. Decisions for top schools do not start to come out until November and December, and rejections are typically even later.

Also, UG alum status will likely have no impact on law school admissions. Different schools, different administration.

Best of luck, you should be in for a good cycle!

Thank you for the kind words!

So logistically speaking, apply ASAP, and then perhaps send a follow up note to the admissions officer(s) explaining that I plan to retake in October, and I would appreciate their consideration of that score too?

On a related note, do you think that it would be smart to look into ED options? I've heard that the aid money may not be as good, but perhaps it would be enough to push me over the admissions cusp for Chicago?

[frasier]

I think you're looking at $$ at multiple T14s, potentially $$$. I'd go with it. But, if you feel you could do better, there is no harm in going for it. Either way, you've got a good cycle ahead of you.

Thanks for the input. Can you clarify what the $$ gradations mean? I assume $$$ =/= full ride. haha

[OhBoyOhBortles]

I think you're looking at $$ at multiple T14s, potentially $$$. I'd go with it. But, if you feel you could do better, there is no harm in going for it. Either way, you've got a good cycle ahead of you.

Thanks for the input. Can you clarify what the $$ gradations mean? I assume $$$ =/= full ride. haha

half-scholly is $$, over half but not full is $$$. For a good idea about how you'd potentially do during your app cycle check out:

http://mylsn.info/n3ohqc/ (looks like serious money at Cornell, NU, potentially UVA/Duke as well. Also, I think you'd have a decent shot at the NU ED scholarship.)

[frasier]

Editor-in-Chief for a major campus publication while an undergraduate student at Columbia might be worth noting in your law school PS.
If you can prepare properly, retake the LSAT because you are concerned about your 3.6 GPA & will always wonder "what if" if you fail to gain T-6 admission with some scholarship money. Psychologically you seem ready for a retake & that is a plus. Even if you score 174 again, that should work in your favor for the lower schools in the T-6. Chicago, however, loves high GPAs. Apply to Columbia, NYU, Penn & any other T-14 that interest you.

Thanks for the input. You're absolutely right about the psychological "what if" component.

So you think there is only a slim chance at Chicago. That's what MyLSN seems to suggest, too. :/ I was hoping that professional work experience would maybe tip the scales.

[CanadianWolf]

You have a solid chance of admission to Chicago due to your above 75th% LSAT score & due to your work experience.

[DaHead2Head514]

nah, scoring lower won't hurt. honestly if you have the time, (which i assume you don't because of your profession) i'd give the retake a go, but otherwise you're in a great position for some dollas at C/N.

Thank you for the response.

So you think admission is highly likely at Columbia / NYU? I know money is hard to predict, but any ballpark for %?

You're right about the LSAT prep time trading off with work... It's a grind to be sure. But I just figure that if someone offered me $XX,000 to grind test prep for 2 months, then I would absolutely take that deal. Obviously there is some risk to adjust for in this situation, but I think it helps to motivate my decision.

I think it's likely, yes. Check out mylsn.info for more information about people with your stats who applied to C and N for scholarship amounts.

Assuming you're dedicated to going to law school for sure and you're fairly confident you haven't reached your LSAT ceiling, I'd retake. The next two months are going to be absolutely grueling but you have a good attitude to guide you through your studies. With a 2 point increase you'd substantially increase your chances at Y/S if that's what you're ultimately gunning for.

[RareExports]

Man, if only policy debate counted as a strong soft. It should.

On topic: I don't see much upside to retaking. You could retake in October and maybe score a point or two better. I don't think that will help much. There's a lot of noise in the 174-180 score range. Maybe a second mid-170s score would reinforce that the first take wasn't a fluke, but that would just be a feather on the scale.

Even if you apply as soon as apps open, you will almost definitely not receive a rejection back from any school before you get your October LSAT score, so that hypothetical should not be an issue. Decisions for top schools do not start to come out until November and December, and rejections are typically even later.

Also, UG alum status will likely have no impact on law school admissions. Different schools, different administration.

Best of luck, you should be in for a good cycle!

Thank you for the kind words!

So logistically speaking, apply ASAP, and then perhaps send a follow up note to the admissions officer(s) explaining that I plan to retake in October, and I would appreciate their consideration of that score too?

On a related note, do you think that it would be smart to look into ED options? I've heard that the aid money may not be as good, but perhaps it would be enough to push me over the admissions cusp for Chicago?

I don't think you even need to mention to them that you're taking in October. They are able to view that information and likely won't even start reviewing applications until November anyway.

I would only ED if you have no concern for amount of tuition paid. If you're GI bill/yellow ribbon or have rich parents, maybe. Otherwise, it probably won't increase your chances of admission much, but will take away any chance you have to negotiate scholarships. The exception to this would be Northwestern, since that's a full tuition scholarship, but I imagine you would get strong money from them regardless.

[Clearly]

I'm gonna say no ED. Only because no matter how bad you want Chi, you might get it anyway, and if it was at sticker (which it would be ED) you would likely get big enough money elsewhere that you'll be happy you could take those options. I'm also not so sure I'd retake honestly. 75ths matter less than TLS thinks, its above median or not mostly. Does it speak highly to your ability? Sure, but thats about it.

Honestly, the one thing tls underplays that is going to be huge for you breaking through these ccn types is showing a real interest. Call them, speak to admissions, ask to come see the school, shake hands, look them in the eye and tell them this is the school you dream of and let them know you would yield, and that they'd get to make your day when they admit you. They see a lot of apps and a lot of numbers, but theres something to be said for a face. A "why" essay is a generic practically mandatory part of an app now, go above and beyond and I bet you'd get in.