Self-paced courses
I was going to take the LSAT in September but will need to push it to October because I do not feel ready yet and nowhere near scoring to where I want which is 170+. But that means I would have to submit my apps in late October/early November, and I still do not know whether that is considered late in being competitive enough for a T-14 spot because everyone is saying the earlier the better. What are your thoughts?
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If you read through this forum, @tchan, you're going to see me recommend that folks try to apply by mid-October if at possible this admissions cycle. That's for reasons I'll go into in a minute, but the number 1 rule is that you have to apply when you believe your app is at its best. If you have to take the October/November LSATs, then that's what you have to do! But if that's the call you make, just be sure:
1) To get rolling on your app docs ASAP. If your closest LSAT is now 2.5 months away, you have time to get your core app docs (resume, personal statement, any addenda or CF docs you have to write) either finished or in a good enough spot that you can finish them immediately after taking the LSAT in October or November. That's important because....
2) To understand that - yes - you have to apply when your app is at its best, but national apps are at a 15-20 year high. It's a tough world out there! Analogy time - yes, you shouldn't go out in Vampire Town if you aren't armed with garlic and holy water; but if it's going to take you until 8PM (ie, night) for you to round up all those items then that's also going to present some problems (ie, the vampires are out...). This is especially true for the T25-30's. There were some schools that hadn't really touched apps submitted in late-December by the time their deposit deadlines rolled around in April. That's how big the numbers are and that's also how understaffed admissions officers are for processing this amount of apps.
Executive recap:
Apply when your app is ready.
But use your time now to accelerate your app submission later.
Just understand that the landscape of law admissions is crazy right now.
I went to an LSAC Forum recently, and I heard a mix of opinions. Some people said the earlier you submit, the better, especially for T14 schools since they receive so many applications. Others said it's more important to wait until your application is as strong as it can be, as long as you submit by around Christmas or New Year's.
I've also heard this opinion that stuck out to me the most: the best rule of thumb is to aim to submit apps by Thanksgiving if you can.
I totally empathize with you. I'm in the same boat and have had to push back my test date too, given all the interface changes I have to get used to. In the long run, it'll serve us much better to earn a stronger LSAT score. I'd rather submit a little later with the best application I can put together than rush an earlier application with a lower score. :( Either way, good luck to you!!
I am not an admissions expert, but I am in a similar boat! I think generally it's considered 'early'/'on-time' as long as you submit before Thanksgiving (last week of November). If you can secure a 170+ on October, it is much better to submit a little later than to submit earlier with a lower score -- for both admission chances and scholarship money.