3.0 Splitter Forum

[hayleyc]

3.0

Taking the LSAT in December - PTing at 173+

Obviously aware that PT scores aren't actual exam scores, but was wondering what my chances would be as a splitter applicant who is applying in early January. I am working on applications right now and am wondering if it's worth sending in applications for NU, WUSTL or Michigan in January (in the event I score a 165+ LSAT). I am nervous as January is much later than when most splitters should have their applications in.


Thoughts?

[cavalier1138]

I think you should take the LSAT in September. Taking it in December is just shooting yourself in the foot for this cycle.

[Lexaholik]

Agree with the above. If you're scoring 173+ on PTs, why not just take it in September and get your materials in early? As someone with a 3.0 the biggest obstacle you're gonna face is that you're lazy. Sending in your apps early counteracts that stereotype.

If you do end up applying late (after Jan. 2017) you probably won't be hurt that much by the tardiness. Most of the top law schools that accept splitters do so from the waitlist because they want to see how the applicant pool shapes up before making decisions on borderline candidates.

With a 3.0/173 I'd definitely apply to all three schools for sure.

[hayleyc]

Agree with the above. If you're scoring 173+ on PTs, why not just take it in September and get your materials in early? As someone with a 3.0 the biggest obstacle you're gonna face is that you're lazy. Sending in your apps early counteracts that stereotype.

If you do end up applying late (after Jan. 2017) you probably won't be hurt that much by the tardiness. Most of the top law schools that accept splitters do so from the waitlist because they want to see how the applicant pool shapes up before making decisions on borderline candidates.

With a 3.0/173 I'd definitely apply to all three schools for sure.

I don't want to get too into it, but my work travel schedule doesn't allow me to take the September exam. So, December it is. What do you think my chances would be to be admitted RD (not WL) at those three schools at that point?

[Lexaholik]

I don't want to get too into it, but my work travel schedule doesn't allow me to take the September exam. So, December it is. What do you think my chances would be to be admitted RD (not WL) at those three schools at that point?

The sample size is small but it seems like you've got a 40% chance at Michigan, 50% at NU, and pretty much a lock for WUSTL. Not exactly sure what the breakdown is between WL->Accept and RD admission but you can check out the numbers for yourself. (See MyLSN link below)

Once you get that 170+ LSAT the key really is to make sure everything else in your application looks good. Write a strong PS, write all the essays, and get solid recs. You can get these done in the coming weeks.

Most of these other aspects of the application don't matter much for most applicants but they can make or break a splitters. I put together a strong app years ago at landed NU with a 2.9/170. On the other hand, I've seen 3.0/176 candidates get shut out of the T14 completely.

[rav17]

I think you should take the LSAT in September. Taking it in December is just shooting yourself in the foot for this cycle.

Unless OP wants to ED, it won't.

[hayleyc]

I don't want to get too into it, but my work travel schedule doesn't allow me to take the September exam. So, December it is. What do you think my chances would be to be admitted RD (not WL) at those three schools at that point?

The sample size is small but it seems like you've got a 40% chance at Michigan, 50% at NU, and pretty much a lock for WUSTL. Not exactly sure what the breakdown is between WL->Accept and RD admission but you can check out the numbers for yourself. (See MyLSN link below)

Once you get that 170+ LSAT the key really is to make sure everything else in your application looks good. Write a strong PS, write all the essays, and get solid recs. You can get these done in the coming weeks.

Most of these other aspects of the application don't matter much for most applicants but they can make or break a splitters. I put together a strong app years ago at landed NU with a 2.9/170. On the other hand, I've seen 3.0/176 candidates get shut out of the T14 completely.

[img]http://myLSN.info/m8a7bb_1-14.jpg

Thanks! I think I have a strong application (especially if I can get 165+ on the LSAT), but I'm just nervous about WE. I have one year of WE, and that's nothing compared to most splitters, who have 2+

How much of a disadvantage will that be for me, especially at a school like NU where they greatly value WE?

[Lexaholik]

I think I have a strong application (especially if I can get 165+ on the LSAT), but I'm just nervous about WE. I have one year of WE, and that's nothing compared to most splitters, who have 2+

How much of a disadvantage will that be for me, especially at a school like NU where they greatly value WE?

I wouldn't worry too much about WE for NU because:

- The WE stats includes the year you're applying. So assuming you have 1 year of WE (i.e. graduated in 2015) you'll have 2 years of WE when you start in 2017
- Even if you just graduated in 2016, they also accept lots of people with just 1 year of WE
- Application trends for NU may be changing. Historically they liked admitting people with WE heavy resumes. I'm not sure if that still holds now anymore

Regardless, NU loves high LSATs so if you break 170 you're definitely in play.

[hayleyc]

I think I have a strong application (especially if I can get 165+ on the LSAT), but I'm just nervous about WE. I have one year of WE, and that's nothing compared to most splitters, who have 2+

How much of a disadvantage will that be for me, especially at a school like NU where they greatly value WE?

I wouldn't worry too much about WE for NU because:

- The WE stats includes the year you're applying. So assuming you have 1 year of WE (i.e. graduated in 2015) you'll have 2 years of WE when you start in 2017
- Even if you just graduated in 2016, they also accept lots of people with just 1 year of WE
- Application trends for NU may be changing. Historically they liked admitting people with WE heavy resumes. I'm not sure if that still holds now anymore

Regardless, NU loves high LSATs so if you break 170 you're definitely in play.

It sounds like my best bet is to apply to all three schools, alongside the other schools that I'm applying to. Thanks for the input - I really appreciate it!

[cavalier1138]

I think you should take the LSAT in September. Taking it in December is just shooting yourself in the foot for this cycle.

Unless OP wants to ED, it won't.

Except that the common wisdom on splitters is to apply broadly and apply early. The latter part is particularly important (especially with the rising LSAT medians this year), because a splitter's main strength is having a strong LSAT that schools want to move on early. Once it gets later in the cycle, the schools have a much better picture of their LSAT/GPA distributions, and they're less likely to need to let in a splitter.

I'm not saying applying late will kill the OP's chances, but it's a needless detriment to their application.

[rav17]

I think you should take the LSAT in September. Taking it in December is just shooting yourself in the foot for this cycle.

Unless OP wants to ED, it won't.

Except that the common wisdom on splitters is to apply broadly and apply early. The latter part is particularly important (especially with the rising LSAT medians this year), because a splitter's main strength is having a strong LSAT that schools want to move on early. Once it gets later in the cycle, the schools have a much better picture of their LSAT/GPA distributions, and they're less likely to need to let in a splitter.

I'm not saying applying late will kill the OP's chances, but it's a needless detriment to their application.

True. Habitually applying in December would not be to one's detriment, but in the case of splitters it could.

[hayleyc]

I think you should take the LSAT in September. Taking it in December is just shooting yourself in the foot for this cycle.

Unless OP wants to ED, it won't.

Except that the common wisdom on splitters is to apply broadly and apply early. The latter part is particularly important (especially with the rising LSAT medians this year), because a splitter's main strength is having a strong LSAT that schools want to move on early. Once it gets later in the cycle, the schools have a much better picture of their LSAT/GPA distributions, and they're less likely to need to let in a splitter.

I'm not saying applying late will kill the OP's chances, but it's a needless detriment to their application.

True. Habitually applying in December would not be to one's detriment, but in the case of splitters it could.

I really wish it was possible for me to take the LSAT in September, but there's no way for it happen sadly. Hopefully, the late application doesn't hurt my chances at the lower T-14 too much. From what I've read in this thread, it's worth a shot.