Hi guys! I am applying for the Fall 2017 cycle and I am having a bit of a hard time trying to figure out which schools to apply to so that I have about 5 for each (reach, target, and safety). My question is, what is the difference between the three... Obviously the likelihood that you will be accepted, but what about the GPA and LSAT medians? Would a reach school be considered like 5 points below the LSAT median, or 10, or 3...? Just a little confused how much reach a reach is haha!

Hi all, I need some impartial, non-attorney advice.

I've had my personal statement proofread by 3 individuals (two are attorneys and one is my husband (non-attorney, but works at a law firm) and they love the statement but have trouble with the phrase "civil twilight" at the beginning of my statement.

My PS begins as follows:

"It was the beginning of civil twilight when my eyes opened and without much thought I made a very simple decision. I was barely 16 years old when I walked out and decided that I was never coming back. I recall looking down at the clear vials with different color tops littering the elevator floor worrying about the unlocked door, but not much else. As I disappeared down --------- Avenue on that quiet morning, there was no one to witness the beginning of my metaphorical descent into my life."

One person did not know what it meant and did not bother to look up and wondered why didn't I use just twilight. Another person had to look up and said that if it comes natural then use it, but if I'm using the phrase to sound good, the use "just before dawn" or something like it. The third person said it sounded like I was trying too hard.

The use civil twilight is not unusual to me because I'm a lit major and I read a lot (I mean really read a lot!). I'm tempted to just go with it...but I also don't want to be stubborn about it and not heed advice. I'm also relunctant to change it because it ties in with my last line of my essay: ("However, I have never taken the worn path and I have never minded the possibility of an unruly dusk.")

What do you guys think?

Hi all!! I am applying for this Fall's admission cycle and my law advisor is on sabbatical so it is hard for me to find someone to constructively critique my essays. If anyone would please like to review both of these essays I would greatly appreciate it. Just inbox me or comment here and I will send it over. Thank you to anyone in advance!!

Hi everyone,

I completed my applications for three schools before writing the LSAT (Dec was my first and only take). BUT I checked today and they all show that my LSAT score is still outstanding. Do I email admissions to let them know it's available? Or is this just because they haven't updated my file online?... I don't know! PLEASE HELP! =( I am already late in the cycle and I don't want the review of my apps to take even longer.

Thanks!!!

P.S. I spoke to LSAC who said they've sent the score - it's automatic - and there is nothing I can do on their end because they've already done their part.

Hi All,

So I had to take 2 semesters off at the beginning of my 3rd year in university because I had suffered from severe eating disorder... Although I had recovered from it fully since then (and this gap year happened about 7 years ago) I am planning not to write an extra addendum unless schools specifically ask me to explain about any gap years in my education history (So far I have noticed that Cornell, Duke and NYU ask this).

Would it be ok if I just say that I developed a medical ailment and decided to treat it during the 3rd year instead of talking about the details of the illness? I just don't wanna open a can of worms if I do not have to. I've been looking for some sample addenda explaining about gap year but haven't been successful as of yet... Any feedback on this would be much appreciated!

If I enroll in premium but felt the need for more, is it possible to upgrade to ultimate? (like the LSAT course, which you just pay for the difference between the courses)

Thank you.

Hi all,

After looking through the UGPA/LSAT score search feature on LSAC, I am discouraged that even with a hypothetical 180, my GPA brings my chances of getting into the top schools down significantly.

Is it true that a high LSAT cannot compensate for a lower than average (based on school) GPA?

I am very uninformed about the entire process, and I would appreciate any help or suggestions.

I deferred admissions last fall at the in-state flagship where I currently work in secondary education. I received a small scholarship to a school that is ranked around 90, but the dominant school in the state I am 75-80% likely to practice. My December score only improved 3 points, but I am now nine points higher than their 75th, though below their 50th in GPA. However, I have a good story since undergrad and the ability to tell it well. I do not know if they will offer more with the marginal improvement.

I was accepted early admissions last month to a neighboring flagship ranked around 35. They are the second strongest school in the state where I reside, physically closer to the city where I would most like to live than the in-state school, and obviously stronger in 49 other states. Due to a childhood move from current state, I lived there for public middle and high school, college (at a small religious school), and even my first job. None of my family currently lives there.

My score is 2-3 points higher than their 75th, but GPA is right at their 25th. They claim "holistic admissions", and GPA minus one semester jumps substantially, plus I have heard it's much easier to find high GPA than high test admits.

Should I be able to at least negotiate in-state tuition? If so, how do I go about doing so?

I appreciate any guidance. I made a couple of misteps early on due to finding 7Sage late, and lack access to an undergrad advisor or anyone close to me who was been through anything similar.

Hey guys,

To those who have been confused about the evaluation process around writing Dec (or previous LSAT) and potentially writing Feb (or future LSAT), I may have some answers for you.

Personally, I just wrote the December exam. But, I have indicated on OLSAS (Ontario Law School Application Service) that I will also be writing in Feb. I see it purely as another chance to improve my mark, whatever that may be, from the Dec. exam. If I am set on fall 2017 admissions, it won't hurt to try and get a higher mark, and let's face it, there is always room for a higher mark.

My dilemma was this: I would hate to be rejected on the basis of my Dec. score when I might be able to improve for Feb. I worried that schools may open my app prior to Feb, and base their decision solely on my Dec. score b/c my application would be considered complete. (Ottawa... you suck)

On the other hand, I would also hate to miss the opportunity to be accepted if my app is not evaluated until late Feb. That is, if the schools see that my application is "complete" but that I have indicated I will be writing in Feb, they may put my app on hold and therefore, not make any decision until early March.

WELL folks, if anyone was in this boat, which I know some of you were... I hope the following info on ONTARIO law schools helps. Here are the answers I obtained after calling the following schools:

1) Ottawa University - Application evaluated once opened. If there is a previous LSAT score on file, they will NOT consider future plans to re-write, even if indicated on OLSAS. (e.g. Feb. exam). ... BOO!

2) Western University - If you have a previous strong mark and they are happy with the rest of your app, they will not wait until Feb. Admission will be offered. If mark on file not strong, they will hold off and re-evaluate once Feb. mark comes in.

3) Osgoode Hall - Same as above. If you have a previous strong mark and they are happy with the rest of your app, they will not wait until Feb. Admission will be offered. If mark on file not strong, they will hold off and re-evaluate once Feb. mark comes in.

4) Queens - Left emails, voicemails. Away for holidays.

*Update* - "We will not decline applicants, based on LSAT, until after the February results. If a new score is posted that make you competitive, you will be considered then."

5) UofT - Left emails, voicemails. Away for holidays.

*Update* - Application put on HOLD if indicated on OLSAS that you are writing at a later date.

6) Windsor - Left email. --- *EDIT* @LSAT04164 has advised Windsor does not accept Feb scores. December last date accepted.

*Did not apply to Thunder Bay.

I'm taking the LSAT inFenruary 2017. When is the earliest that I can start with my applications and start law school?

Will I have to take a year gap because I'm taking the test in Feb?

Hope everyone had a great Christmas weekend!

Quick question to those of you who had a chance to submit a general letter of recommendation to LSAC. I'm about to send an instruction to my recommenders on how to submit their letters etc and was wondering who they will need to address in the letter head. For example, should the address of the person / committee receiving this general letter should be that of LSAC as opposed to specific school?

Also, do you have any thoughts on not putting the date when the letter was written by the recommender? Given that these letters can stay on my record for the next 5 years and since I may be applying again after this admission cycle, I was wondering maybe I should ask the recommenders to omit the date in their letters... Really appreciate any thoughts you guys have on these questions and hope everyone has a great rest of the week :)

First of all, Yale is *completely* [completely] out of my reach but I have a nice cousin who wants me to try and is helping me pay the app fee...so here's to money going down the drain.

Would anyone be down to edit my Yale 250? I would love to edit yours in return. I know this won't affect my chances too much because my numbers are already borderline, but I still don't want to submit a bad essay.

Thanks!

I recently received my academic summary report from LSAC, and it seems that LSAC counted a zero-credit course that I failed (long story) into my grade. Is this intentional? If so, how do they factor it in? If not, how can I get this corrected?

Thanks 7Sage!

Would anyone like to go over my PS? In my final draft, looking to make the last couple of adjustments if needed

Hi guys! I had to write a character and fitness addendum in relation to an incident and I was wondering if anyone could please offer me some feedback? If you can do so, I would greatly appreciate if you would PM me and I will let you take a look. Thank you!

Incredibly dense questions here--but I cannot seem to make heads or tails of the labyrinthine transcript request process. Or maybe it isn't that difficult?

I bought the Credential Assembly service, downloaded a TRF for my university from the LSAC site, as well as a transcript request form from my own school and I'm about to mail both of them to my undergraduate.

2 things I'm a little unclear about: do I request just 1 copy, or as many copies as schools I will be applying to?

I'm also seeing a box on my school's transcript request form that says "Hold transcript until" and then several options below--I have no clue what this means! I assume I wouldn't want them to hold the transcript at all?

Sorry to come to the forums for this, but I really don't want to get this wrong, considering how long the process takes for it all!

Hi all, I'm a nontraditional (read: 42yo) student. I had talked myself out of law school 2x previously, but discovered ABA-accredited hybrid and weekend programs where I could get a "real" law degree while working/family/living. I have a strong career, so I'm basically going for personal fulfillment, with some hope of increased income and job opportunities. There are no part-time programs within 100 miles of me, so the idea of flying out on weekends for class is very appealing. The problem is, the only 2 current hybrids are Mitchell (#140) and Loyola (#72). Syracuse (#86) is coming online next year.

However...my stats are such that I'm thinking about shooting higher, biting the bullet, and going full-time. [LSAT 169, BA gpa 2.7, MS gpa 3.7] I have a tenured government position, which would mean guaranteed job through school and after, along with the public service loan forgiveness IF I stay and do the hybrid. So, full-time law school would mean resigning and hoping to get a job upon graduation. Not to mention pulling 3 years salary from savings and student loans.

Is anyone else in 7sage-land looking at hybrids? Or is anyone else riding the full-time/part-time fence?

I applied ED to WUSTL. According to their website they should send a decision within two weeks of the application. I applied two weeks ago as of Dec 13. Does it mean they denied me with no notice? Is there still a chance that I will get in?

Hello all -

In my application there is a section for academic awards, honors, etc, and I'm wondering what this would be considered. For example, would each semester I made the Dean's List be applicable? I believe my Leadership Distinction obviously should be on there, but what about graduating Cum Laude, or a Honor's Society I joined?

Need advice on whether to keep this December score or apply with a February score alone for this cycle.

Took the test for the first time on December 3 but it did not go well, partly for physical reasons. Was not a complete and unmitigated disaster but was not close to target, for sure.

Applying this cycle. The December score can likely (though not 100% guaranteed, we can only estimate our score roughly of course) get me into most of the schools I have already applied to earlier in the fall in Canada (they are just waiting for the December score to come out), but I am also applying to T6 in the US using my February score, which I know will be higher.

All schools (in both countries) I am applying to will look at February score (with the exception of certain T6 schools we know who they are), but for half of them it will put me at a disadvantage because of late completion of the file, and the other half not.

I am debating between 1) keeping my December score and get in somewhere first but leaving a low score on my record, or 2) cancel December and just use February alone.

The chief advantage for 1) is I will likely have a few offers before March, perhaps even in January, and ultimately I guess it is the higher score that counts. The good thing for 2) is that there will be no record of a low score, and I tend to think that "cancellation & 172+" will look better than "something in the 'what's going on' range & 172+" to T6 when the February score comes out in early March.

(And needless to say, if my PT is not at 172+ by the February test date, I will just not apply to T6 this cycle. My GPA is around T6 median, and softs in their range too.)

Thank you!

Should I just dive in or is there protocol when doing a statement?

In last May, I got a meningitis during final exam/paper period, so I couldn't work well on my final research papers in two classes.

For those two classes, I received B and B- while all other grades in my transcript are mostly in A range with a couple B+.

I don't want to get an unnecessary negative attention because these grades are not terribly bad, but I am bit worried because one of them are a senior capstone research course.

So I just want to hear about your opinions. If I need to write, I will make it just one short paragraph.

Hey guys,

This might be a silly question but with the LSAT on Saturday I'm trying not to burn out by studying, but can't stop thinking about the LSAT so I have begun to browse different schools that I might be interested in's "Entering Class Profile." You know, the one that says 25% 50% and 75% GPA, LSAT, Age, etc. I'm wondering how I should interpret those profiles? If my numbers are solidly in the middle, that means I have a decent chance of being accepted, correct? What if my numbers are closer to the 25%, does that mean I still have a decent chance of acceptance?

I‘m currently preparing for Feb LSAT and application materials. I need 2 letters( one from my advisor).

Do you think that I should require one from my current boss(I work as a part-time in an immigration firm) or ask one from my previous college professors?

Anyone else down for another PS swap??