Hello!

For a lot of schools, yes.

Check with your specific schools of interest, but most will allow you to apply prior to having your April score (so you can apply before the deadline), and send them a message letting them know you are waiting on a future score. That way, you can request one of two things:

1. Your application gets reviewed with your current score. If you do better in April you would then submit for admission and/or scholarship reconsideration

2. You ask your application be held for review until your April score comes out.

If you feel you have a decent chance of getting in with your current score, I'd go with 1. If you are significantly below both medians or otherwise have application concerns, I would go with number 2.

No matter what, wishing you good luck!

I think it really depends on the school. But lots of high quality schools accept 'splitters' or folks who are close to but not quite at both medians.

Also, keep in mind that GPA addendums exist, and lots of schools appreciate receiving those if you have concerns about your GPA. Check with your schools of interest for specifics, but most I've seen ask for the following:

1. Up to 2 pages

2. Honesty (the real reason for the GPA)

3. Taking Responsibility

On those last notes, if you were dealing with health (physical or mental) concerns, having to financially support yourself/others, dealing with caretaking responsibilities, facing other adverse circumstances, chose the wrong major, or perhaps went into college too young and weren't mature enough, say that! Just be honest. For situations like the last two (major or maturity) it helps if they can see that things improved with time.

You've said you were dealing with family issues, so you can tell them that. You don't have to be super specific or tell your deepest secrets, unless you want to. You could say "I was dealing with an adverse family situation that put stress on me and led to my academic performance suffering" (or whatever the case may be). If it is clear in your transcript when/if that situation improved, you can point to that as well. You can also add additional details if you feel that is helpful and you are comfortable with that.

Usually cancelled scores are seen as a yellow flag (not great, but not horrible). As others have said, a big jump in score can be a bigger red flag, unless an addendum is added that explains what led to that (usually big jumps signal to schools that you didn't take the first time seriously, which they don't often love. If you have a different legit reason that would likely be less of an issue)

But also, admissions counselors will often warn that sometimes students cancel a score that they don't feel great about, and then never get a better score. So I would really be cautious with canceling.

Finally, check the admissions policies of each school you are interested in. Some schools only look at the highest score. Some look at the average. Some hold cancels against you, some do not. That can also inform your decision.

A lot of schools will let you apply without an LSAT, and let them know you have a future score pending, and then your app will be sent in when that score comes in. If you are set on applying this cycle, that's what I would recommend.