Contrary to what everyone has already posted, Alabama sent out a coupon code to pay the $45 CAS fee. It came with an application fee waiver. Shout out to Bama! So at least one school “pays” the report fee and I wish more would!

It’s unfortunate that UMich has that GPA/LSAT prompt in the optional essay section stating only write on 2 out of 8 prompts. each prompt is a 1 page max. I have a pretty standard gpa addendum that is a paragraph and needs to be sent. My lsat score increased by 8 points because I studied for an extra 9 months. Nothing that interesting. Also, retaking in November to try to increase further. A bummer if I need to write something about that. And not just to Michigan, to all schools?

There are some great writing prompts. I wish I could write on at least one. But if they want a lsat addendum, can I not write on any? I’ll have two paragraphs instead of two pages talking about my future career goals, diversity, why Michigan, etc.

@ said:

@ right, but they can say that you're asking for too much.

Nope. They got sued for that too. And a SF judge rang down on them. LSAC was held in contempt in March 2018 for not complying with a consent decree, specifically for partially approving accommodations and then telling applicants this was what they are approving and the applicant can either accept or not receive accommodations because of deadlines.

http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/council_that_administers_the_lsat_is_held_in_contempt_ada_consent_decree_is

So as I mentioned @ ask for what you need, what your documents state and you’ll be approved. This whole ADA accommodation situation is getting out of hand. And something is going to have to happen in the coming years to get some level of checks and balances back in place. I imagine after the consent decree ends in 2020.

LSAC is not denying anyone. Ask for what you need, what your documents state, and you'll get it. Seriously. I have not heard of anyone getting denied recently. I would suggest taking a PT with 100% time and make sure that is really what you need (want). Sometimes extra time can have a negative effect. Look into other options that might be better suited to your specific needs. Maybe breaks in between sections or "stop-the-clock" will be better able to help you remain focused, or give you the opportunity to stop time if you lose concentration. Once you figure out specifically what you need due to your auto immune disease, write it up on the "statement of need", have your doctor write something similar/sign it, provide medical documents supporting what you stated, and BAM! You'll get approved.

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@ - definitely ok to talk about telescopes instead of observatories. I used them interchangeably throughout my essay. (I am in my 6th year of an Astronomy PhD program.) Also definitely good that you did not write astrology, very common mistake but very different things!

I must know... did you choose optical or radio?!

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It's Monday morning post-LSAT and I am lost with what to do with my time since I am not studying. Anyone feeling the same weird way? Lol

Gosh yes! I feel so unproductive. I've been binge watching some TV shows when I know I should be working on apps smh.

Yes apps...part 2 of the process...i told myself i would take this week off, celebrate Thanksgiving with my family bc my nose has been in the books for months and come Monday I'll get right back on it.... any shows to recommend?

Doctor Who new season! And Killing Eve #girlpower

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Haha yeah - thanks a lot. I always read those comments like prepare for the worst, but I didn’t think I needed to practice taking the test with one eye closed. Just a suggestion for all you out there who wear contacts, try a section with only your non-dominate eye!

@ said:

Haha yeah - thanks a lot. I always read those comments like prepare for the worst, but I didn’t think I needed to practice taking the test with one eye closed. Just a suggestion for all you out there who wear contacts, try a section with only your non-dominate eye!

@ said:

Haha yeah - thanks a lot. I always read those comments like prepare for the worst, but I didn’t think I needed to practice taking the test with one eye closed. Just a suggestion for all you out there who wear contacts, try a section with only your non-dominate eye!

I’ve taken the test 3 times and have always packed an extra set of contacts. A quick run to the bathroom is better than testing with eyes that bug or with an eye that can’t see.

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Contrary to what everyone has already posted, Alabama sent out a coupon code to pay the $45 CAS fee. It came with an application fee waiver. Shout out to Bama! So at least one school “pays” the report fee and I wish more would!

I got an email a couple of days ago with a coupon code from Maryland for the CAS fee! I definitely wish more schools would do this. The $45 is a barrier to applying even if you have an app fee waiver.

That’s awesome! Good to know there are more schools taking this into consideration. I was recently accepted in Bama with 100k in scholly. Gonna definitely visit and see how I like Alabama. I wouldn’t have applied without the fee waiver and $45 CAS coupon code. Now I may be cheering “roll tide” next year.

Definitely look into raising your LSAT score. You don't need to shoot for 170+ (98th percentile). Just be sure that when you apply you know you have put your energy into the test and you are confident that it is your best. I would suggest holding off on applications and maybe consider taking the November LSAT. You should also seriously consider waiting a cycle to apply.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is part-time programs. They can be a great way for you to keep your job and your income while advancing your education. Also, talk your company about whether they would hire you once you have a JD. Your current network could make this idea that you must go to the highest ranked school not a factor for you. Talk to them, find people in a position to support and guide you, ask about future career choices with them, and earnings. You have an opportunity to have a job, that is hopefully aligned with what you want your law career to be, while in law school and a possible commitment of employment after graduation.

@ it's probably me being neurotic, but i don't want adcoms to look at it and think - did she expect to apply last year and then didn't? And think I'm not responsible or didn't get my applications done in time. I'll probably just talk to my professor. He had another year to think about how great I am. lol

@ do you know if the date is on the letters? One of my professors wrote the letter last year. I don't know if I should ask him to re-write it or just give him the option. If the old date is there, I want him to re-write, at least to fix the date.

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For the past few weeks, I have been doing everything that you mentioned

Try focusing on one thing at a time. See some success, get encouraged, then tackle the next thing. Timing is an issue for most test takers. This test is a BEAST and it is easy to compare yourself to other people on the forums. But this journey is your own and you will find your own path to success. Your health is more important than your score! I've had to remind myself of this many times.

This could be an interesting topic and it sounds like you are very passionate about it. A couple things to consider, you definitely want to tie your PS to qualities that would likely make you a good law student and a good lawyer. The way you wrote your story (although I know it's just a brainstorm), it makes you sound a little entitled. "to GIVE me a room" "many long arguments"... Some of the things you said don't paint you in the best light, in my opinion. I have also lived abroad for some time and adjusted my workouts to my environment. There are many physical activities you can do without a typical gym. A few countries (although I'm not sure about where you were) have gym equipment at most public parks, for example. It also doesn't highlight the fact that there are more concerns for a gym than just the space and equipment, such as liability.

That being said, I think that you can write about this topic to highlight your advocacy skills for yourself and classmates, your fundraising ability, your work ethic, negotiation skills, etc. I would just be EXTRA careful about sounding entitled, as though you moved to another country, they didn't have something you felt like you deserved, you didn't adapt to a different way of life, you demanded an American luxury, and you succeeded.

Please don't take offense to anything I just said. I mean it as a positive critique and just wanted to show that certain word choices can leave a negative impression.

97% of applicants don't score a 170+. I'm not saying that you can't be one of those who do, but you should give yourself some grace. Your LSAT score does not define who you are. Instead of focusing on such a specific score, why don't you focus on getting 2 or 3 more questions right in LR or nailing LG with -0 or answering the 3 RC passage questions you get to perfectly? If you are struggling with a certain question type, focus on that, and then work towards not missing any of those questions on the next PT. Good luck, and definitely get some rest!

Happy to swap!

I applied to 13 schools with my September score and I'm retaking Saturday. My app is complete/under review at every school. I've been accepted to one school and have had three interviews at others. I did not have to do anything extra, except at Boston College, I had to fill out a form stating I wanted them to review my app with Sept score. FWIW, I applied to schools scattered in T6-T18, and a couple schools in the 20s.

Fully review 84 and then retake it timed? I like to do that when I don't do well on a PT. Usually, I can space out the review from the retake. It's a confidence boost, and you'll be reviewing the question wording that is likely to be similar to the November test. I've done this for a few PTs and my highest score from one was 177 (mostly they were ~174). There is always more to learn from a PT!

You should use the watch you have been using during your prep. The casio watch with the rotating bevel is the one I have used on my previous test and will use on Saturday.

@ I just attended the Harvard webinar and it was stated that anyone in the academic field that could attest to your academic ability IS considered an "academic recommendation". Some examples they mentioned, if you did research with a professor, had a thesis adviser, even if they didn't teach a course you took, if there was a professor who taught in the field you were interested in and you had a work/research/mentor/etc relationship with them, those would all count as "academic".

I think the question comes down to, can the dean attest to your academic abilities, does he/she know you well, can he/she speak about your school accomplishments? So if the dean can talk about your academic successes, for example s/he read your papers, sat in to watch your class presentations, was on your thesis defense, knows about your involvement on campus, etc. then YES the dean is a academic recommendation. But if none of those were the case or anything similar, than probably not.

So the real answer, as with most things in this law school admissions process, is "it depends".

They can't tell you other accommodations, but they'll approve anything within reason that you and your doctor state are needed. For example, I brought a seating pad which is an accommodation that isn't listed by LSAC. Your doctor may have suggestions for you. You could request the use of your own scribe, perhaps a family member or friend, that way you can study with them throughout the process. Not sure if LSAC will pay to provide a scribe if you opt not to use on offered through them. If using a laptop would help you, it is definitely an accommodation you can request.

Check websites and keep at an out on your email. If all your transcripts are in LSAC, schools get alerts for that too, or however that works. I got so many emails from schools (not great ones) wishing me luck and such and telling me about fee waivers. Some said email for a waiver, some offer webinars and provide fee waivers for attendees. If you live near any law school you can schedule a meeting or tour and ask for a fee waiver. I would check the websites. Some school say that they’ll only consider fee waiver for financial reasons and only if you received one through CAS. Do a little research on each specific school before emailing them and asking.

@.berger24 - I said based on the situation @ described, which I also noted was a VERY brief description, (test-day anxiety) does not constitute a disability.

@ said:

I do suffer from anxiety every time I take a test no matter how much I try to calm myself and not think about it.

Read the article that I posted which was written by two doctors and is filled with a review of scientific research and legal authorities.

@ would you consider yourself disabled? Have you ever considered yourself disabled prior to researching accommodations?

Of course speak with your doctors, they are in the best position to help you make a determination for your situation.

Here is a article that may be helpful to you. I meant no disrespect to you or your situation and I wish you the best.

https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children/test-anxiety

The situation you described, having test day anxiety, does not constitute a disability. "LSAC is committed to assisting disabled candidates with requests for accommodations needed to take the LSAT." It also doesn't sound (from your very brief description) like a situation that should be approved for extra time accommodations. There are a lot of resources out there that can help with test anxiety, such as meditation. Focus on studying and becoming confident with the test.

Edit: Here is an article that was recently written.

http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1044207317710699

Abstract: Test anxiety leads to requests for accommodations under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), but many testing entities have expressed skepticism about whether test anxiety qualifies as a disability. This article addresses three legal issues raised by the inclusion of test anxiety under ADA: whether test anxiety is a mental impairment, whether test-taking is a major life activity, and whether test anxiety substantially limits test-taking. The article then turns to questions of policy: How should ADA claims for test anxiety be handled by educational institutions, independent testing agencies, and employers? A review of scientific research and legal authorities are used to answer these questions. Most individuals with high test anxiety levels will not qualify as disabled under ADA, although there will be exceptions to that general rule, and testing entities should always conduct an individualized inquiry into each claim.

The way around this... at least for some schools is having the school label the "scholarship" as a stipend. All scholarships must be reported to the schools financial aid office, including veterans benefits. It does get a little complicated. I've heard some people negotiate at schools for instance, they have a scholarship for 20k per year. Schools COA is 60k/year. They have full scholarship through VA benefits, but it only last two years. So they ask the school to award the 20k per year scholarship in the final year for 60k. Others I've heard about is they ask them to reclassify the scholarship as a stipend. I'm sure some schools are more flexible. This will definitely be part of your negotiation process once scholarship and acceptances come through. Good luck!

The problem I see is that you are telling “his stories”. Even if it changed or reaffirmed how you feel by hearing them. It still isn’t about you. I would think of a different topic about you and what qualities will make you a great law student.