These questions, at least the first one, is more suited for an AO. The second question is, IMO, try for both. Apply for the lesser ranked and the reach. Then if you get accepted to both or one or the other, the decision is easier. It's not the best time to make such a decision when you don't know if you're accepted yet.

First off, congrats on such great numbers! Second, what I learned from the open houses and consortiums I've attended, any time you take the LSAT more than once, you need to explain in an addendum the reasoning for multiple attempts. Ideally, it should only be taken once. However, if there is an extenuating circumstance (i.e. hardship, health, etc.) then that warrants another chance at the LSAT. If you write "I didn't study hard enough" then that looks rough. As long as you have a genuine and sound reason for multiple attempts then write the addendum. Just be careful at how you word it-you don't want to come off as not trying hard enough. Good luck!

At the end of the day you need to figure out a way to set yourself apart from the rest of the competition. Take every opportunity to showcase your "you"uniqueness. Stanford is known for their holistic approach to decision making. This is your time to shine!

@ not sure if you're military or not but, also see how much your chosen school contributes to the Yellow Ribbon program. Each school is different in their generosity. If it's a public school, the GI Bill will cover 100%. If it's private, only $22,805.34. Then you can supplement with what your school will contribute. For example, Stanford's tuition is free for military because they have an unlimited cap to the Yellow Ribbon. Other private schools aren't so generous. Something to think about.

@ So the first time I met with Dean Deal was at a Downtown LA Standford/Duke meeting with the Deans. She told everyone how Stanford takes the holistic approach into making their decisions. Anything you have going for you that's outside the box can benefit you tremendously; setting yourself apart from the pack.

The second time I met with her was pure coincidence and she took the time to sit with me and answer ALL my questions. Like you, my UGPA is crap (haha). I explained to her my situation (retired Air Force with health issues being the reason for my low UGPA). She told me because my numbers won't speak for me, my personal statement has to. Thoroughly explain your story and how what you learned can impact Stanford academically and professionally. According to Dean Deal, there's a wildcard application process where they put together a handful of atypical applicants who, although don't stand out in numbers, stand out in their character. The committee sits down and really evaluates these candidates to see how they'll mesh with demands and such of the law program. Wildcards are the last to know if they are accepted. She told me around April 30. I hope that helps.

@ I'm so sorry to hear about your family! I'd say for us to even continue our education during major traumatic life events speaks volumes of our character. I wish you all the best in your law school journey!

@ sometimes life gets in the way, ultimately affecting our GPA. In certain circumstances beyond our control, it shouldn't be held against us. The USMC, any military branch for that matter, is very demanding emotionally, physically, and mentally. To even attempt college while in the trenches (pun intended) is incredibly commendable. I'm banking on my personal statement to help me out. I can tell you right now that my LSAT is not a 170. I'm hoping for the 150s. I may just take it again in December if I did poorly. I'll be calling my schools tomorrow and asking them about my scenario.

So if I write a well written addendum explaining the reasons behind the crappy GPA, will that give me a better chance of them looking at my most recent GPA?

I scored only 2 points higher but, nowhere to my goal score. God does have a plan for us all and we will go to the school we're meant to go to. Our LSAT score is NOT an accurate measure of our overall intelligence.

Everyone take a deep breath and just keep swimming (que: Dory). It's a feat that we passed and are even considering such a challenging route in life.

I believe in you all!

Happy Holidays and here's to an amazing 2018!

@ said:

I did 1pt lower and I thought that test was easier than a lot of the practice tests I was taking. Whatever. I studied and practiced all this year. Time to move on

I'm on the same wavelength as you. I remember leaving the testing room with a smile on my face. I was so confident and believed I did so much better than the September LSAT. I only scored 2 points better this time around. I took it REALLY hard, but I did the best I could've ever done so like you said "time to move on." (sigh)

@ said:

@ thank youuuuuu for all of your encouraging words. I REALLY needed to hear that today. I’ve been crying literally for the past hour because I’m just so emotionally and mentally exhausted from this and I just want to hit the score that I know I can hit. I’m determined to start school this fall too. I’ve been in such a weird place in my life and I know what I want and I just wana get it already :( thanks again for your kind words. You’re going to kill the Feb exam!

I know the feeling like a failure. At the end of the day, we have to rise above the depressing thoughts and persevere. If not, we let depression win and that's just not in the cards for us. Don't get me wrong, I have moments throughout the day where I feel dumb and believe this is all just a waste of time but, I want this so bad. From what I've read, it seems you feel the same. Put one foot in front of the other and before you know it, you'll start to see progress and the shadows will slowly lift and light will creep in and you'll begin to gain the confidence needed to conquer this damn test!

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@ hi! I’m averaging around a 157-159 on my PTs. I’ll occasionally hit 160-161, but it’s only happened a few times. I scored much lower than my PTs, but I am hoping to at least get a 155-157. I misbubbled an entire section in December, so that explains the exceptionally lower decrease, but I’m really just hoping to hit mid to high 150s next month. I’m also determined to start this fall, I’d really really hate to wait until next cycle. I will BR for the next two weeks and hopefully gain a point or two from that.

@ if you want we can Skype study together! Two is better than one! Since we have the advantage of time, we can tackle our weak points together and help one another. I'm happy to help where I can :)

Hey there. I am in your SAME EXACT BOAT. The Feb exam will be my third time taking the test and I'm going about it completely different than the last two times. My approach is much more stringent and disciplined. I'm not working either so I'm ready to dedicate a full time study schedule. I haven't submitted any applications yet. I need to feel motivated to do so, and I'm hoping that my Feb score will do that for me. I know I'll have to submit my applications not knowing what my score is-huge risk. I've worked way too hard, overcame way too much, to just give up. I know I can do it, I just need to adjust my study methods. ( I hired a private tutor.)

Your hopes for a huge increase is not lofty or unrealistic. I've seen way too many people comment saying to give up or try for next time. What help is that when you're motivated to the umpth degree to do this? What you need is a support system and I'm here! If anything, this pressure will define your studying abilities and discipline.

Just remember you're not alone in this. At least you know I'm in the same boat with you. We will not drown. It's sink or swim time and we will not sink. I'm giving you tough love-we have exactly 29 days to get this done. We haven't come this far for nothing. No rest for the weary. Of course, don't over exhaust yourself. Allow yourself to relax. At the end of the day, what will be will be. You got this. :)

I want at least a 150-155. That is a 15 point increase. I know I can do it, I just need a major push in the right direction.

@ said:

All great tips above for LG. I just want to add a note about mindset, because I believe that to also be important.

I made it a point to remind myself that anytime I was seeing a new game, or getting stuck on one, none of it was new. I have done every game type, every difficulty level many many times, so there was literally nothing new that the test writers could do to me. Reflecting on all of the past progress really did help to alleviate some stress.

Also, and this may sound silly, whenever I got stuck on a game, I'd ask myself: "What would J.Y. do here?" Maybe I've just watched too many of those explanations lol. But thinking that would help me regain composure, and sometimes even remind me of how his explanation dealt with similar situation in another game.

Another thing I did, especially on Misc games, was to take my eyes off the the page and count from 1 to 10 to regain composure from the initial shock, and recollect my thoughts. I figured that loosing 10-15 seconds was nothing if this would help me stay calm, and it usually would.

Disclaimer: I didn't go -0 on the real test, I went -3, but for the long time my LG scores were absolute garbage so I will still count it as a win haha. Shows that real improvement is possible too. Good luck!

That is an important point to make: a person's mentality is everything going in. The second time around I scored 9 higher than the first time so that must count for something. Thank you for the comment :)

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@ I understand how you feel. Its a long process. The foolproofing, the timed and untimed drills, the Blind Review, but you cant give up after coming this far. When I came to 7sage, I was at the very bottom of the 120 to 180 scale, now after 6 months I'm scoring in the mid to high 130's my most recent BR is 154. I am fustrated, but I am getting there! Its hard to keep studying for one test when we have so much else going on. But if you keep fighting and lean on the shoulders of the community, you are going to make it. 7sage is a community of people dedicated to beating this test. Take the time you need and rest. This test will be here and considering the amount of work I have to do to improve, I'll still be here too, haha. You welcomed me here when I made my first post and didnt have a clue how anything worked on 7sage, so even though I havent beaten this test yet, I will encourage you in anyway I can because if I can keep going, so can you :smile:

@ You keep striving to dominate the LSAT! I took the LSAT twice and scored in the high 130s and I hated myself. All the studying I dedicated to and sacrifices, etc and I scored this? Are you serious? I'm taking it one final time in Feb with a much different approach. I want to score in the 150s. I'm really embarrassed to have admitted this but, we're not all 170s. Our score doesn't determine our intelligence level, it is not an accurate measure of what we're academically capable of. Keep climbing the mountain! @ girl, you got this! We all have our individual hurdles but, there will be a day where when you conquer this you will beam with pride and confidence. This post will pop up three years later and some future law student will find encouragement and inspiration from this. You're not alone!

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@ I have never seen that approach before. I'm so glad I asked. Thank you for taking the time to explain your point. I feel like, with LG, I have to rewire my brain. That's why I think it's so hard for me. I really appreciate you helping out!

Not a problem. I uploaded the picture of what I mean. By telling myself that the answer choices were usually 1 step deeper into the pyramid I was able to really get an understanding of interactions taking place in the games!

I went -0 on the Sept 2017 and -1 on Dec 2017!

Dang! That's what I'm aspiring too! What schools are you applying to?

I am applying to a ton of schools haha. I actually used the program you suggested a long way back. (service2schools)

Basically I applied to all T-14 schools minus NYU and Berkeley. I also applied to USC, UCLA, Irvine and Notre Dame.

I started a savings fund a year and a half ago for applications, so I had a fair chunk of change. And as a super splitter (171 LSAT and 2.8 cGPA) my cycle is going to be super unpredictable so I want to make sure at least someone will accept me lol

Can I ask how you are using Service2Schools? I was matched up with someone, had one conversation and an email and now nothing. Do they offer any other services or do I just rely on the guy they matched me up with? Not sure how else to use them.

Unfortunately, I didn't score high enough to use their services (which is why I'm retaking the LSAT, for many other obvious reasons) but, I'm sure if you e-mail them, they can help you out. :)

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@ I have never seen that approach before. I'm so glad I asked. Thank you for taking the time to explain your point. I feel like, with LG, I have to rewire my brain. That's why I think it's so hard for me. I really appreciate you helping out!

Not a problem. I uploaded the picture of what I mean. By telling myself that the answer choices were usually 1 step deeper into the pyramid I was able to really get an understanding of interactions taking place in the games!

I went -0 on the Sept 2017 and -1 on Dec 2017!

Dang! That's what I'm aspiring too! What schools are you applying to?

I am applying to a ton of schools haha. I actually used the program you suggested a long way back. (service2schools)

Basically I applied to all T-14 schools minus NYU and Berkeley. I also applied to USC, UCLA, Irvine and Notre Dame.

I started a savings fund a year and a half ago for applications, so I had a fair chunk of change. And as a super splitter (171 LSAT and 2.8 cGPA) my cycle is going to be super unpredictable so I want to make sure at least someone will accept me lol

I wish you the absolute best! Your LSAT score is a winner. I'm banking on a decent LSAT score (GPA isn't the most impressive). I'm pretty proud of my PS and military service so I'm crossing my fingers for the LSAT to give me the leg up. You're going to rock wherever you go!

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@ I have never seen that approach before. I'm so glad I asked. Thank you for taking the time to explain your point. I feel like, with LG, I have to rewire my brain. That's why I think it's so hard for me. I really appreciate you helping out!

Not a problem. I uploaded the picture of what I mean. By telling myself that the answer choices were usually 1 step deeper into the pyramid I was able to really get an understanding of interactions taking place in the games!

I went -0 on the Sept 2017 and -1 on Dec 2017!

Dang! That's what I'm aspiring too! What schools are you applying to?

@ Thank you for the solid advice. :)

@ said:

Variables

Rules/Board

Rules/Board

Numerical Distribution

Double-check rules

Combine rules

Exhaust rules (inferences)

Apply rules/solve

You can apply that approach to LG universally. I have a journal of complete LG boards done using the above method if you think it might help you out.

Do lots of untimed sections to get fundamentals down. Cycle through games; don't repeat the same ones so often that you are bored of them. Do lots of timed sections in the month before your test.

Yes, I would greatly appreciate any additional methods that you used to help me out. I'm desperate at this point. Thank you for help!

@ I have never seen that approach before. I'm so glad I asked. Thank you for taking the time to explain your point. I feel like, with LG, I have to rewire my brain. That's why I think it's so hard for me. I really appreciate you helping out!

I'm in Sacramento, maybe a bit too far for you. I'm taking the Feb exam too.

I'm interested. Maybe we should break up the numbers since there's so many of us wanting to hop on the band wagon. :)

I don't know about how feel about this, but my score was pretty low and I'm taking the LSAT for the third and last time in Feb. I know I can score higher I just need the right guidance. I'm hiring a private tutor but, was hoping to join a study group. If it's too low for you, I understand. :)