Hi all, I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts regarding addendums for GPA's that may not necessarily be terrible. Before this last semester I had a 3.93 GPA. Unfortunately this last semester, between taking on an additional course and studying for the LSAT, it dropped to 3.79. I considered my GPA to be a fairly strong point considering I scored a 158 LSAT but now I feel like everything took a hit last semester alongside working full time as a paralegal. I'm wondering if it's worth my time to write an addendum to explain my drop in GPA due to studying for LSAT and work, I feel like since I'm applying part-time, a hectic schedule is what law schools will expect.

I did my first PT yesterday (37) under strict time conditions. I had previously done the June 2007 in timed 35 min sections, but had long breaks in between every section. When doing PT37 I found that in the race to finish I often forgot to circle questions if I wasn't sure.

As I BR and skim the questions I didn't circle, I often remember that I wasn't sure. Should I just consider them a circled question too?

Has anyone tried just checkmarking the questions they are sure about (100% or 90% or whatever level you're using) and BR-ing the unchecked questions? Feels more satisfying in a way to feel 'yeah, I got this' and check it than to say, 'erm, not sure, guess that's a circle, then'. Also, if there is time to revisit the question before time is up and you go back and get sure, you don't have to erase a circle.

I usually use a big arrow when I want to revisit a question if time permits, since I wouldn't have time to go to all circled questions and want to prioritize.

Hi, is anyone willing to pass some judgment on my personal statement and a character and fitness addendum.

Pretty personal stuff and I'm willing to have it read by whatever judgmental eyes will read it.

Definitely will exchange statements if anyone else is comfortable. PM me if interested.

Anyone feel like some of the correct answers to NA questions on the recent exams aren't really necessary?

On PT 71,S1, Q22 I see how this would be a sufficient assumption but don't see at all how it's necessary. Performing the negation test wouldn't really destroy the argument since we are only talking about predatory pricing, not ANY pricing practice. And I remember having a similar problem on PT63 Q11 where I thought there's no way the correct answer is necessary.

On older tests the negation technique proved very effective but I feel like it's actually hindering me on NA questions from the more recent tests. Any advice on how i can adjust? This used to be my favorite question type, now it's not! Want these questions to be automatic.

Hello,

Has anyone ever taken the February LSAT? If so, did you find it more or less challenging than the other scheduled LSAT dates? Were the logic games any different than normal? I was told they have at least one weird or unusual game for February exams? is this true?

Long story short I'm retaking in Feb. I've taken the 25 most recent PTs so I needed fresh material to go over in preparation for the retake. After noticing a subtle difficulty shift in the 70+ exams, I decided to combat the trickier LR/RC by drilling straight from the Cambridge difficult packets for RC AND LR. Granted they draw questions from PTs 1-38, but every question there has a 4 or 5 star difficult rating. I figure if I can train myself to combat those questions, and drill 25 of them at a time (for LR) as if they were a "normal" LR section I'll be much faster and more comfortable with the lengthier and more convoluted 70+ stimuli. I plan to drill all the difficult RC passages in the same fashion, using 4 difficult passages as if it were a normal RC section...Then with about 2.5 weeks until the Feb exam, I plan to retake/BR PTs 71-77. Has anyone tried this or something similar? What are your thoughts on this approach...Do you guys think it can work or do you think it's too much of a gamble because of the way the "new" LR stimuli is constructed and phrased? Thank you in advance for your input!

Hi 7sagers,

I need some advice. I've taken the LSAT twice (October, December) and have scored the same score twice (149.. I know, I'm so embarrassed). The first time I was completely unprepared for logic games, so I missed most of my questions in that section, and then the second time, despite feeling more confident on logic games, I suffered from horrible test anxiety the day of the test and actually FROZE for about 6 minutes after reading the first reading comprehension passage and then scrambled to answer the questions hoping it was the experimental section (which it wasn't). I'd been scoring in the high 150s but was mortified to get the exact same horrible score as in October. Anyway.. now, I'm not so sure what to do. I'm 24 and was hoping to start law school next year, but now I don't know if I should try to study for the February LSAT (I've registered for it but am considering withdrawing) or to wait and retake it in June. I'm not trying to get into any great schools, I was just shooting for around a high 150, so I don't know if it's realistic for me to improve if I get my anxiety in check or if I should just wait until June. I'm really scared that I'll mess up again in February and then have to wait 2 more years to retake. I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed, discouraged, and with low confidence, and I'm just having trouble deciding what to do. Any input or similar stories would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Hi there, I got a December score that was 3-4 points below my PT average. I know I can do better, and my score on record is marginal at best for schools I am targeting. Should I apply now or wait until I get a (hopefully 3+ point higher) February score? And if I apply before receiving my February score and am rejected, can I reapply after receiving a higher Feb score? Thanks much.

Hey all,

I work in a business development role (partnerships, strategic relationships, sales, dealing with government red tape). I love getting people on board, convincing, solving problems, promoting ideas. I like the fast pace. I’m not looking for a career change. However, I’ve been looking at more education/credentials and I’ve not really been clear what exactly is the best fit based on what I do.

Some people tell me a JD is just for people who will be lawyers. However, I see some (not many) JDs leading corporations and nonprofits in many fields. Were their credentials on the right trek or was this just some early career confusion?

I’m leaning against joint JD/MBA simply because of the extended time commitment/break.

Appreciate your thoughts. Thank you in advance

I took LSAT three times. Sep 2014, did not have the time to study, 161. Oct 2015, did not sleep the night before (stress and fell sick), 164. Dec 2015, 169. Before the test, my PT scores were 170+ but never broke 175. For Dec test, I sat in the front row and the two proctors were whispering to each other on and on. At some point, I had to stop them. I did not finish RC (-5). I wonder if I should mention this Dec testing experience in my LSAT addendum? I do not want to appear to be looking for excuses for my score (even though I am still upset about it and wish i could have finished that RC!). I think I need an addendum for three takes anyway, so should I explain Dec score? But then I worry that when Adcom look at my previous two takes - they were bad too. What do people think?

Thank you so much for your advice.

p.s. I am a non traditional applicant (out of school for 10+ years). 3.86 GPA (physics and econ double major). I am applying to Yale, Columbia, NYU and a safety school.

For those who missed the first and second webinars with @david.busis , you'll have another chance to attend this Thursday!

No sign-up necessary!

To join the webinar, please do the following:

Thu, Jan 28, 2016 9:00 PM EST

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/644064693

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Personal Statement Bootcamp: Story Strategies with 7sage's David Busis (@david.busis)

Thursday, January 28th, 9pm ET

What’s the best way to write a standout statement? Tell a good story. In this webinar, we’ll discuss tactics for choosing a topic, drafting, and revising—all with storytelling in mind.

More specifically, we’ll cover:

About David: David is a graduate of Yale, where he received a prize for excellence in the English major, and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where he received a third-year teaching fellowship. His nonfiction has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic online. His fiction has won two national contests, received notable mention in The Best American Short Stories 2014 and been anthologized by Autumn House Press.

David has taught literature at Phillips Academy Andover, fiction at the University of Iowa and creative writing at Southern New Hampshire University. He currently teach creative writing at Southern New Hampshire University, and has designed a course about law school personal statements for 7Sage LSAT.

@"Nicole Hopkins" I know you had said we were recording them have you posted them?

Hey I was just wondering does everyone stick to the study schedule? I am a full time student, as well as work part time and was wondering if anyone actually sticks to it or just goes at their own pace?

I have to admit I am pretty frustrated and I thought Id reach out to see if there were any tips you guys had that worked well for being really mechanical in the moment, especially in LR.

I had to take some time off, and am back at it for my 2nd take in Feb (yes I know I should wait for June, but I still want to go for this cycle). I was a 166 Ave, under performed in Oct as I had to stop studying for a few weeks before and had to take (long story).

The great thing is now, I can in timed review, score in the high 170s, its like a hybrid BR as its more going back to the question (if I have time left over this is true there as well) and I can get my circled questions right very quickly and usually only miss 1-2 but the last 4 tests I seem to be at -7 my first go through.

I've been told its a confidence issue, as I talk myself out of correct answers, but I thought I would ask this group on their approach. Perhaps its something no one can answer, but when I seem to get into self doubt I dont process it with a mechanical approach. Anyone else experienced this? How did you get over that hurdle?

It not a lack of knowledge but as one of the Sages said, knowledge isn't enough. I guess I thought I would ask and maybe someone will share an experience or comment that will help it all "click".

I know as I do more PTs my timing will get faster leaving me more time to return to questions during the test, but Id rather get it the first go and not risk it.

If I apply and get accepted to a school, but decide prior to the first semester that I want to wait another year before attending, is there an option to defer? In the event that I decline and reapply to the same school the following year, is it possible the admissions board would hold that against me and I would not get in the second time? I would imagine each school has a different policy about this, though is there a general trend?

Hi there, I have a very basic question about admissions. I am a traditional splitter with a relatively solid LSAT (169) but a 3.4 GPA. However my major GPA is a 3.65, and I have an upward trend, I have seen some people say that law schools take this into account, but does anyone think that it could have more than a negligible impact on schools in my target range? (Essentially 12-20 in the rankings)

Hello 7Sagers,

I have just finished a first draft of my personal statement. I am looking to get my applications out as soon as possible and was wondering if anyone would be willing to critique my personal statement? I can't even begin to describe how much I would appreciate it!

See title.

3.98 GPA and 165 LSAT. Retaking in February. I already submitted my application but my first choice school says they won't review my application until after I receive my Feb scores, unless I request otherwise. Their median LSAT is 165 but I feel that applying with a 165 won't get me much money (especially since they have a full-tuition scholarship I was hopeful for that would probably call for a 168 or 169). There is a decent (but not great) chance my score will improve in Feb but I fear that rolling admissions will give my spot to other applicants. You see my dilemma.

Your thoughts? I'm leaning towards just asking them to review my application now.

Probably an unusual question, but I have an unusual situation. I contacted the one professor I worked for, took multiple classes from, TA'd for etc back in October. She said she would be more than happy to write me letter. I haven't been able to get in contact with her for months, and my old school would not release any information. She is very old and I recently found out she is battling cancer. Of course, I don't expect her to write my letter now.

I have one solid letter from a prof, and I have a backup letter from my high school English teacher (the class was a college-in-the-high-school class, for what it's worth). Should I mention this stuff in an addenda? I recognize a letter from a high school teacher is probably a little lame, but I did write my optional essay about him. There is no other professor I was very close to/could expect a letter from in a short amount of time. Addenda or not to addenda?

Also, is it okay to mention multiple things in the addenda? I want to write about my upward GPA trend as well.

Thanks everybody!

Can anyone experienced with Character & Fitness essays take a quick look over mine to see if I should add/revise anything? It's only two short paragraphs. PM me please

My copy of the Superprep II booklet just arrived, and much to my dismay, LSAC does not indicate what month and year that the C test is.

Considering that A and B are Dec 2010 and June 2011 respectively, I could take a wild guess and assume it's Feb 2012? Perhaps it's a test they used for Sabbath observers.

Anyhow, here's some info about the test if any previous takers know.

Game 1 involves eight children divided by gender who get on a roller coaster.

Game 2 involves stacking letters.

Game 3 involves a costumer designer having to put together three tricolored costumes among six colors. (sounds tough)

Game 4 involves a radio station scheduling interviews with politicians.

RC delivers - passage 2 is about Woody Allen films - Deconstructing Harry, Stardust Memories, Manhattan, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Husbands and Wives, Celebrity, and Broadway Danny Rose! Passage 4 (comparative) features the great economist Thomas Sowell (eat your heart out, Paul Krugman).

Oh, and both Passage 1 and 4 are boring: the former focuses on sheep in New Zealand while the latter features really dense astronomy.

I realize it is probably different for all schools but how long does it typically take to hear back from law schools after submitting applications?

Is a top notch education worth 220k before interest even accrues?

If anyone has any advice on how to better focus myself or tips on what to look for when approaching a reading passage please share! I'm finally in the 160 range after starting at a 142 and I'm still missing 10 to 12 on reading... It's KILLING my score! Any tips help!

Side Note: I've already read the LSAT trainer section on reading and I'm still not showing any improvement. I've also done the 7sage course and read Supreme Court decisions regularly.