Self-study
Hi!
I am taking the June LSAT for the first time, and if I think I need to retake it, I will likely take it again in September. I plan on applying this cycle, meaning that most applications will open on September 1st, but the September LSAT scores will be released a few weeks afterwards.
Given the notable increase in law school applications, I have heard admissions departments say it is is better to submit applications sooner rather than later to have better chances of admissions and merit-based scholarship consideration--of course, they also say to submit your application when it is at its best.
My question is if I take the September LSAT, will I have enough time to submit my application "early enough" to have strong chances of admission and scholarships, or are applications being submitted at such a rate that submitting ASAP may be preferable?
I think I already know that submitting apps after the September scores are released won't be detrimental to my chances, but I'd definitely appreciate a second opinion.
Thanks!
12
12 comments
Just take August without June. Register for September too.
Why not August?
@CarterFitzgerald Most of the people I have talked to who have taken the LSAT/gone to law school/who are practicing lawyers have mentioned they did better the second time around, so I think that giving myself 3 instead of 2 months between tests would be beneficial.
Im sort of in the same boat, but i think i'll probably take it again in August if I need to, is there a reason why you couldnt do august instead of september (or both if necessary)?
@Jdunni I think my only reason for me to re-test in September is that I get an extra month of preparation. I work full-time and often struggle to find time during the week where I can dedicate all my attention to studying, so weekends are especially valuable for my progression (and giving myself an extra month would give me more weekends).
@zach_15 In pretty much the same boat here. Are you part of a study group at all? How many PTs are you taking for the June?
@DominusH I am not part of a study group but I'd be open to joining or starting one. I've been taking a PT every Saturday for the past 3-ish months and reviewing/re-learning topics during the week.
Just my two cents based on working with a fair amount of students over the past several years, but I think applying late September is for sure still "early enough". There should be plenty of seats and scholarships still available. I would put the current application "safe zone" cut off as late October. Again, this is based on my own personal observations, but I do get regular updates from my students and I pay attention to the chat forums pretty regularly as well. Best of luck!
@SCOTT_LEBO Thanks!!
@zach_15 My pleasure!
@SCOTT_LEBO @zach_15 - And just saying this from the admissions perspective, any app submitted before early/mid October is "early." Although apps have been at 15 year highs and aren't going anywhere, there's just a practical reality at hand here - law school admissions officers are busy with traveling to law fairs through the end of October. So whether one applies on 9/5 or 10/5 shouldn't have much bearing for a lot of schools since their adcomms are spending that intervening time driving to events, checking into hotels, waiting for connecting flights, etc.
So if you take the Sept LSAT, you can then use the next few weeks to finalize your apps. That way - fingers crossed! - you get your preferred score back at the end of the month and then click "submit" on all the apps you have queued up!
@JacobBaska Thank you for the insight!!