@ There will be more admissions webinars to come!

That's good to hear; I have a solid personal essay, but it does need work. Especially now that I got my score back....

Also, is there a chance this same webinar would be offered at a later date?

@ All webinars are free.

Ah, I'm a dumb-dumb. So, if I purchase this Admissions starter package, I can watch it at anytime at my convenience?

@ If that is your dream, I am of the opinion that you should definitely go for it. Shoot for the moon, then work backwards after you've given it your best shot.

As for PTs, did you already do the ones before 60? If so, I think the idea above about giving yourself less time for retakes a great strategy.

I've done 60-77 2x for tests, and one additional time for drilling; so I've seen each of those sections 3x

I've drilled the first 10 tests, and have tested 40-60 2x or have drilled sections of it. Haven't done 11-30....would those still give me an accurate gauge of where I'm at considering they are much older? I've always read those are better for drilling and learning how to do the test.

To clarify, is this webinar free?

@ You never get a second chance to make a first impression. It is best to apply with a higher LSAT score. September take will still allow you to apply VERY early in the cycle.

I'm going to dig around for a fresh PT (I've already pounded the hell out of 60-78), and try to make a decision for a retake off of that score.

@

@

First off congrats on the 169, that's an excellent score!

Second, to echo what others have said, take some time to decide what your plan from here is. I would definitely recommend not ruling out the retake entirely, but if you think you'd just spin your wheels for MAYBE a 1 point bump...definitely not worth it. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but provided you're over a school's 75th percentile LSAT I don't think they'd care about the difference between a 169 and 170.

However, if you decide on a retake, get your apps completely done so when your Sept. score comes back you can send them immediately

Thanks Ron Swanson!

I've heard an equal number of stories of people who say they change their lives by retaking and those who said they wish they hadn't put themselves through the stress of it again for a one or two point bump. What makes me hesitant to retake is that I've been in the 167-171 range for about 8 months, and I've already done many retakes so I have virtually zero fresh material left. I went through LSAT 60 this morning, and I remembered many of the problems. I'll try to find an older test from the 30s or 40s I haven't taken, take that this Saturday, and use it as a gauge for if I should continue.

Let it ride unless you're deadset on Yale; even then you still may get in

You've only done 15 practice tests? Do more of those and you'll probably get the score increase you're looking for

If I retake and the the score is lower than a 169, will it hurt my admissions chances?

@ First of all, great score. Congrats on scoring so well.

You most definitely can. Apply with what you have, but do let the schools know that you are re-writing so that they know you'll be submitting a fresh new score.

Thanks for the advice; I guess I don't have to make my decision right now....maybe some sleep will be able to help me out.

My reasons for not retaking - I've already done LSATs 60-77 2x; never scored above a 171 on a fresh test and was stuck in the 167-171 range for 8 months, and feel like I'd just be spinning my wheels; I honestly can't imagine putting myself through the ringer again

My reasons for retaking - I don't want to give up on my dream of going to Harvard/be a 175+ scorer; I've already put in a year, might as well get more out of a year's worth of studying than a 169

I'm honestly starting to lean towards not retaking. It'd be great to get into Penn or Duke, but I might do ED at Northwestern and get that 150k scholarship.

Can I apply in September with the 169, and then submit whatever my new score is after applying?

@ No harm in a retake. Prep for September and give it a shot.

Do you think it will matter if I do certain tests for a third time? It's been 3 1/2 weeks since I've studied, so it's a decent break in time

P.S. I was also amped and stressed out of my mind for the test....now that I know what to expect, and already have a decent score under my belt, I wonder if I would do better?

I think spending a lot of time reading those magazines isn't a great way to study. Sure, it's good supplemental material, but at the end of the day the way to get better with RC is to do more RC passages, and there are plenty of them. Plus, redoing them is how I started to get a handle on the section.

@, do you know if law schools call all of your employers?

@, can you please elaborate? So you took the June LSAT and knew that you were going to take the September one? Why not wait and see what score you got first?

@, didn't you already take the LSAT?

Wait, how are you filling out applications already? Can we start working on them?

One more comment on my end - it's probably best not to even think about "what score am I going to get" or "how can I determine based off of my past practice tests what I'll get"?

Show up, rock the test, and then worry about what you got/look for clues in your past takes for some sort of indicator. Showing up to the big game with an idea of how you'll do can be good, but it can also mentally lock you in and focused on something that is ultimately a waste of energy.

@ I think the -3 is a great anticipatory score as it helps people to analyze if they are really ready to take the test.

I guess that's one way to look at it; if you'd be happy with a score 3 points below your average or whatever. But I think that's a pretty dangerous mindset to have going into the test.

@ The point I'm gathering from this thread is that, of course it can happen. But don't count on it. If you're PTing properly, your PT average is a good indicator of where you're at. If it happens its bonus points. Agree with above comments that if you need it to happen to be happy with your score, you should really consider postponing.

I think that should be the takeaway of this entire thread

FYI I've decided I'm going full throttle; I'll regret it the rest of my life if I don't give it another shot