Disadvantage for applying to t14 schools with December LSAT score

PositivePositive Alum Member
edited July 2017 in Law School Admissions 426 karma

Hello All,

I was wondering if there are any disadvantages for applying to t6/14 schools with December LSAT score.
(I'm planning to complete the whole application by the date I receive Dec. lsat score on early Jan. think: Jan. 2~5)

My top choices are Harvard, Columbia,NYU, and Cornell.
(Y,S,Chi. all seem to have relatively smaller class sizes and I feel their admission policy is very unpredictable).

Thank you in advance for your comments : )

Comments

  • theLSATgrind2017theLSATgrind2017 Alum Member
    440 karma

    I don't think it's a disadvantage but it's not as advantageous as applying in September. I think the prevailing wisdom is that submitting before Thanksgiving means you're early and submitting around Christmas/New Years means you're on time. Still, a better score in September is more advantageous and an earlier application with a lower score, all else being equal.

  • hon132hon132 Free Trial Member
    122 karma

    They use your best score, it doesn't matter when you took the test as long as you send everything in by the due date. A test 5 years ago will have the same weight as the one in December. Those schools are picky but it won't be over the date of your LSAT score.

  • AlexAlex Alum Member ⭐
    23929 karma

    @hon132 said:
    They use your best score, it doesn't matter when you took the test as long as you send everything in by the due date. A test 5 years ago will have the same weight as the one in December. Those schools are picky but it won't be over the date of your LSAT score.

    This is a bit misleading There are some good writings by Anna Ivey, Spivey, and admissions officers who do panels and answer questions like these. I think Fox also spoke on this way back.

    While MOST* schools use your best score, they still don't just neglect your other scores. Y certainly doesn't just take the best score, for example. Multiple low scores can show poor judgement to take the test if you are "sick" -- a common excuse -- or perhaps just unprepared. Addenda for bad LSATs a rarely helpful unless you have a legitmate excuse. Perhaps a death in the family; a serious accident, etc.

    Remember, while they only have to report the highest LSAT, the take into account whether you're likely to need 3 attempts at the bar exam. That would screw their rankings on bar passage rates and employment. A test 5 years ago will also likely not have the same weight as one in December. One was 5 years ago... so it is a little less relevant. That's probably why the cut off is 5 years and not infinity.

    Also with the new unlimited LSAT take rule they might find taking before you're prepared even more ignorant. Because now that there will be LSAT offered 6 times a year, it makes you seem a little dim to take knowing there's another administration around the corner.

  • btownsqueebtownsquee Alum Member
    1207 karma

    I think it might depend on your GPA as well. If you have a lower GPA, applying after the December test may not be the best strategy for T14.

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