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sarahkriekle448

Joined: Apr 2025
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General · It's been a lonnnnng journey...

sarahkriekle448

Tuesday, Nov 28 2017

Well done!! Good luck Saturday!

General · Burnout Management

sarahkriekle448

Tuesday, Nov 28 2017

I'm taking 6 classes while prepping for the LSAT and a couple of weeks ago I found the same problem. Just a complete inability to focus on anything. I usually allow myself to finish all the questions on a PT even if I run out of time, and then grade my actual score (assuming any missed ones were guessed wrong) vs my score with actual questions I was able to correctly answer. I was going over time like 20 min in every section AND my score was worse when I factored in all questions! This happened on 2 PTs and I can't afford a break whatsoever due to the load so I was freaking out slightly. Luckily I have a biochemist supplement expert friend who recommended an occasional use/fast acting nootropic to take whenever my brain is lagging like that. I've also been making sure to eat regular nutritious foods, get some exercise every day and get enough sleep, which I wasn't being so meticulous about before. I've only had to take the nootropic twice in the past couple of weeks, but it's been a lifesaver (brainsaver?) when it comes to completing my coursework plus prepping for the lsat. I should add, I think it's highly preferable to just take a break if you can manage it. And try not to stress! Depending on where you're aiming to get in, even your lower scores are still pretty good!

General · It's the final countdown! What's your study plan this week?

sarahkriekle448

Monday, Nov 27 2017

I'm taking 3 PTs this week, and maybe/maybe not working through my incorrect answers. My scores are reasonable and have been consistent so my main concern is just timing. I've only been prepping 8 weeks, and taken 11 PTs so far. I'm also taking 6 classes right now so not a ton of time to devote to score improvement, but it hasnt dropped either, I'm fine with what I'm scoring and I've improved my timing enough to (likely)complete every question. At this point my PTs are just to continue to rehearse time allotment per question and I'll just be glad to have the LSAT over with!

General · Bubble first or last?

sarahkriekle448

Friday, Jan 26 2018

I bubbled after each question, I tried bubbling after each passage/game/page too. I found that yes, I was slightly quicker doing this, but I did not manage to do it even once without mis-bubbling (usually not discovering this until much later - but, it was easier to fix due to the noted answers in the booklet vs mis-bubbling when I bubbled 1 at a time). I decided not to risk it and just stuck with bubbling each question as I go.

Admissions · My really bad looking AA degree dilemma

sarahkriekle448

Friday, Dec 15 2017

I took over a decade to complete my undergrad, mostly part time (finishing up full time right now) while I built up a career. My personal statement discusses the path I chose and my reasons for that, and in addition I got permission from the admissions committees where I am applying to use a professional reference in place of academic. I'm not in yet, but I would be surprised if it detracted from my chances. If you are worried include some of it in your personal statement or in an addendum!

LSAT · So I'm not a philosophy major...

sarahkriekle448

Wednesday, Dec 13 2017

@ said:

A 162 diagnostic? That's incredible. I don't understand how some people have such great diagnostics lol. It must be genetic.

Blush thank you! Honestly I'm not sure, I was surprised and happy with that diagnostic obviously. I actually opted to not buy the LSAT course because of it. But I experienced a complete inability to improve my score in the time I was working on it, so that speaks to how difficult the test is to learn. I think I could've benefited from the course, but by the time I realized that it was too late to worry about for this application cycle.

General · [Test Center Review] University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta (Canada)

sarahkriekle448

Tuesday, Dec 12 2017

@ said:

I feel like I was in the same room, and I can confirm all these points. Very efficient group of ladies, 10/10 would recommend. :)

Seat 45 right here!!

Admissions · Academic LORs for older students

sarahkriekle448

Tuesday, Dec 12 2017

I contacted the admissions depts I was applying to directly, and both schools told me that in the absence of academic LOR's, professional references would be accepted. Both schools also requested a statement explaining my use of professional references instead of academic. One school had a field for this right on the application, the other just requested an emailed statement. I have taken my undergrad online over the past 12 years, and my only interaction with profs was them grading my assignments and exams. My employer and volunteer references were both easier for me to get and probably give a much better picture of who I am than a letter that just discusses what my transcripts already show. I would check with the schools you are interested in!

LSAT · So I'm not a philosophy major...

sarahkriekle448

Tuesday, Dec 12 2017

My undergrad is in business. I'm not sure it helped specifically, but I think any kind of formal post secondary education requires attention to detail (carefully reading and understanding what is being asked), and critical thinking that will help on the LSAT! My diagnostic was 162 and after 8 weeks of practice, my score didn't change much but my timing improved. I wrote the Dec test, and I expect that I will get what I was PT-ing at.

LSAT · Official December LSAT Discussion Thread

sarahkriekle448

Tuesday, Dec 12 2017

Am I the only one who didn't find the apartment game that difficult? I found it required a bit more set up, but I finished it with time to review and felt really good. Now you guys are all freaking me out about it. I think I just need to stop reading this thread until the scores are up lol. I had the experimental LG and that was the only section a ran out of time on, and had to guess the last 2 questions, so I was happy to hear that was not the real one.

General · For the moms and dads - how will you do it?

sarahkriekle448

Sunday, Jan 07 2018

@ My kids are 6 & 7, and it seems they really like to hear about my schooling and my goals and plans, and often times it prompts them to talk about their own goals and how they think they can achieve them! Mostly trust in yourself that you are a good mom, and you will find a way to make it work for your family. I haven't been able to avoid guilt completely but I do my best to make peace with times that feel particularly unbalanced and just work through them as quickly as I can (being done the LSAT now is helpful lol!). Also, keep in mind that however you find a way to manage, it will definitely not make you any less amazing as a parent. You've got this!

General · For the moms and dads - how will you do it?

sarahkriekle448

Sunday, Jan 07 2018

I'll be attending as a single parent. I still plan to keep them in activities, and I usually use that time to catch up on reading or work anyway. I had a pretty demanding job before I cut my hours to go back to school and finish my undergrad, but my kids have almost always done their homework after school at their dayhome and before I pick them up, though we would go through it afterward. I am only one person so I had to learn to back out of things without feeling guilty about doing it, and I really don't feel as though my kids are worse off as a result. I would suggest accepting that other people can be great at helping your kids too, talk with your kids about what you're doing and why, make sure they understand that all they have to do is ask when something is important to them, and be sure to set some things are definitely for family time only (in my house its dinners and sundays with no work, no homework, no devices. As well my kids know they will have my entire focus for performances or sporting competitions, but I might not watch them practice)

General

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Monday, Dec 04 2017

sarahkriekle448

[Test Center Review] University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta (Canada)

Proctors: The proctors were very friendly, super professional, meticulous and systematic in their duties (checking IDs, handing out materials,addressing concerns). They went out of their way to ensure a positive testing experience. The head proctor in my testing room wrote start and end times on the white board, and gently cleared her throat before each 5 minute announcement (which made it less startling).

Facilities: Engineering Teaching and Learning Center on U of A Campus

What kind of room: Medium sized lecture hall with tiered seating rows

How many in the room: I will guess around 80 in my room, test takers were divided into a few rooms alphabetically by last name.

Desks: The desks were long tables, and we were adequately spaced with a seat between each test taker. Chairs were comfortable, but not adjustable in any way.

Left-handed accommodation: not applicable due to seating style.

Noise levels: Very quiet, I think the entire building was dedicated to the LSAT during the testing time.

Parking: Weekend parking is free on street, but not terribly close. Parkade was cheap and close to testing center.

Time elapsed from arrival to test: I arrived just after 8am, check in was no later than 8:30. I was seated by 8:15 and we started the first section around 9:30

Irregularities or mishaps: none.

Other comments: The ladies washroom had plenty of stalls, but the line up was still ridiculous on break, and I was thankful to have finished some sections early instead of spending my break in line for the bathroom.

Would you take the test here again? Yes, but I am hopeful to be done with the LSAT for the rest of eternity.

Date[s] of Exam[s]: Dec 2, 2017

General · Need Advice About Canceling

sarahkriekle448

Monday, Dec 04 2017

too bad cancelling AFTER your score isn't a thing....

LSAT · We've heard about pre-test rituals--what are your post-test ones? :)

sarahkriekle448

Monday, Dec 04 2017

I thought i would be very tired, but it turns out I was actually very wired after. I ended up drinking sangrias in a sports bar until a sudden adrenaline crash hit me around 10pm and I went home and had the greatest sleep of all sleeps. Which is great, since I have finals in a week and a half, plus 4 essays and 13 major assignments due before then. I will not be sleeping properly again (or drinking sangrias) until christmas....

General · Exam Felt Good - Register for February Just in Case?

sarahkriekle448

Monday, Dec 04 2017

On another note, why do so many people seem dissuaded to take Feb for this upcoming cycle? Can't you still submit your app and tell them to wait on your February scores? Lots of schools are pushing back their deadlines aren't they?

Neither of the schools I have applied to accept the Feb LSAT for this admissions cycle

General · Need Advice About Canceling

sarahkriekle448

Monday, Dec 04 2017

I concur! Practicing with moderate noise pollution is a life saver. I hope you put in a complaint about the test center, so lsac is aware that it was less than suitable. I can't speak to cancelling with certainty, but if you think you did better on this one than your last, I wouldn't cancel.

General · Take PTs before completing CC?

sarahkriekle448

Monday, Dec 04 2017

Let us know how it goes! I am trying for the 2018 cycle, and gave myself only about 10 weeks to really prep for the December LSAT (mixed in with taking 6 classes), and it was enough to improve my timing and really get a feel for how long I can spend on each question, game or passage, but I wasn't able to improve my overall score by much. I'm looking forward to seeing how I scored, but I managed to finish every section with time to review, which was my goal. I think if you are devoting the next couple months to just your LSAT, and going through the CC, there is a great chance for you to improve! I agree with Alex, you will want to get some timed tests under your belt, but I also think that they are a huge time suck and it sounds like you are short on time. I would suggest doing regular timed sections (1 or 2 at a time), so you develop a feel for the time you can take for each type, DO score these and apply what you're learning in small bursts to assess your progress. Then maybe do a full timed PT once per week until January but use these solely for timing practice and building stamina for the real test, and don't worry so much about your score on these. Once you're through the curriculum or in January, whichever comes first, start taking a couple full PT's a week,and in between PT's, go through each section and review each question (this is something I did not have/take the time to do, I only reviewed what I got wrong). Worst case scenario is that you don't see enough improvement by february, but either way it sounds like you're aiming for the 2019 admissions cycle, so that gives you 4 different possible deadlines for score improvement. So if you're not where you want to be by february, there's always June, Sept or Dec!!

LSAT · This is the funny post!

sarahkriekle448

Monday, Dec 04 2017

@ said:

Anyone listens to The Thinking Lsat? I agree very much with them when it comes to to not using a watch during the test. Well, my proctor today decided to take the wall clock off the wall and place it right in front of my eyes..... people where fighting to move it right left, and I was whispering underneath my breath "put it in the trash"

Yeah, I've listened to many of their podcasts. Do you know which one talks about not using a watch? That is so interesting to me and I'd really love to check it out :)

Not sure exactly which episodes, but they talk about it very often. Not using a watch made a huge difference for me.

Yeah I can totally see how sort of orienting your internal clock would be advantageous. I'm going to look into it. Always open to new and helpful strategies.

I found a watch to be really helpful, but I had practiced using it to gauge time after the 5 minute warning. As in, when do I need to start randomly bubbling to get every question filled in. I can 100% see how using a watch could end up actually wasting your time or breaking your concentration to check it. Luckily, I ended up finishing every section on this one under time anyway, so that was nice! Cheers to adrenaline!

LSAT · Official December LSAT Discussion Thread

sarahkriekle448

Sunday, Dec 03 2017

@ said:

My test was RC/LR/LG/LG/LR.

I had a movies game that I don't see mentioned. I'm thinking experimental?

I also had one about archeological cities I think?

LSAT · Official December LSAT Discussion Thread

sarahkriekle448

Sunday, Dec 03 2017

My test was RC/LR/LG/LG/LR.

I had a movies game that I don't see mentioned. I'm thinking experimental?

LSAT · Official December LSAT Discussion Thread

sarahkriekle448

Sunday, Dec 03 2017

@ said:

had three LRs, i remember one was hard... it had 26 questions and a question about an ancient greek charachter reading a tablet that asked to reject one of the statements? Was that experimental?

Some PLEASE tell us this was experimental?

Nope. Real! 2 LRs. That one was weird