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I just finished the September LSAT test. My practice test ranged from 171-174 thus I modestly predict that my actual test score would be 169-170. Should I apply in October with my September score for whatever it is or retake in November and apply in December? (I missed the registration ddl for October LSAT because I am stupid.)
I heard people say that applying late means the school may not have enough money left for you. But if money isn't an issue and I am not expecting to receive any scholarship, will applying late decrease my chances?

3.87 GPA, math major, some decent but not extraordinary research experience, K-JD, no internship.

Any help will be sincerely appreciated!

Wait until you actually get your score to make that call. If you underperform for your goal schools, then retake.

yyfhailey wrote:I just finished the September LSAT test. My practice test ranged from 171-174 thus I modestly predict that my actual test score would be 169-170. Should I apply in October with my September score for whatever it is or retake in November and apply in December? (I missed the registration ddl for October LSAT because I am stupid.)

Given your 3.87 GPA (I assume that's your LSAC-calculated GPA?), every point on the LSAT matters for both admissions and scholarships. If your practice test range is 171-174 then there's no reason why you should accept anything less on the actual test. You could be giving up tens of thousands of dollars (or more!).

cavalier1138 wrote:Wait until you actually get your score to make that call. If you underperform for your goal schools, then retake.

Thank you so much for the reply! Also I am wondering is it better to apply early with a mediocre score (say, slightly below the median LSAT for my goal school but not catastrophic) and update higher score later or just directly apply with the higher score in December?
Btw, is there something like "attempting to update higher score but it is too late and schools have already decided to reject me"?

QContinuum wrote:Given your 3.87 GPA (I assume that's your LSAC-calculated GPA?), every point on the LSAT matters for both admissions and scholarships. If your practice test range is 171-174 then there's no reason why you should accept anything less on the actual test. You could be giving up tens of thousands of dollars (or more!).

Thanks for you insights! Yes, 3.87 is my LSAC GPA. But in terms of money, I would prefer a T6 without $ to a lower T14 with $$$. So I am wondering, without considering financial issues, will applying in December with a maybe 2 points higher LSAT be less advantageous than applying in October.

yyfhailey wrote:But in terms of money, I would prefer a T6 without $ to a lower T14 with $$$.

What are your goals out of law school?

yyfhailey wrote:Thanks for you insights! Yes, 3.87 is my LSAC GPA. But in terms of money, I would prefer a T6 without $ to a lower T14 with $$$.

This rarely makes sense. Either way, though, the delta between (e.g.) 169 and 171 is usually going to be a lot more substantial than applying super early in the cycle.

The LSAT score is a hard factor—every point between 167 and 174 is highly consequential for T14 admissions. Application date is a soft factor, and even then it mainly matters insofar as applying very late (say, late January) can cause people to underperform.

Generally, schools will hold your application if there's an LSAT pending, and won't mark you as complete until the score is released. I actually think this approach can be counterproductive at schools you are already above median for, because they may assume you have no interest in attending so are less likely to tie up substantial scholarship money - they generally only have a certain amount of scholarship money to play with given the unilateral nature of offers.