LSAT Party time, that is!

LSATurday, Jan. 9th at 8PM ET: PT36

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June BR Group Schedule: http://classic.7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/6171/june-test-takers-group-br-schedule-updated

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Note:

I've gotten to a point where the only types of questions I'm missing are weaken, principle or flaw questions. I usually am on the right path to the correct answer but seem to be stuck between two answers almost overtime- and chose the incorrect answer very frequently. Any tips or pointers in what to consider when answering these types of questions?

I took LSAT three times. Sep 2014, did not have the time to study, 161. Oct 2015, did not sleep the night before (stress and fell sick), 164. Dec 2015, 169. Before the test, my PT scores were 170+ but never broke 175. For Dec test, I sat in the front row and the two proctors were whispering to each other on and on. At some point, I had to stop them. I did not finish RC (-5). I wonder if I should mention this Dec testing experience in my LSAT addendum? I do not want to appear to be looking for excuses for my score (even though I am still upset about it and wish i could have finished that RC!). I think I need an addendum for three takes anyway, so should I explain Dec score? But then I worry that when Adcom look at my previous two takes - they were bad too. What do people think?

Thank you so much for your advice.

p.s. I am a non traditional applicant (out of school for 10+ years). 3.86 GPA (physics and econ double major). I am applying to Yale, Columbia, NYU and a safety school.

For those who missed the first and second webinars with @david.busis , you'll have another chance to attend this Thursday!

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Thu, Jan 28, 2016 9:00 PM EST

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Personal Statement Bootcamp: Story Strategies with 7sage's David Busis (@david.busis)

Thursday, January 28th, 9pm ET

What’s the best way to write a standout statement? Tell a good story. In this webinar, we’ll discuss tactics for choosing a topic, drafting, and revising—all with storytelling in mind.

More specifically, we’ll cover:

About David: David is a graduate of Yale, where he received a prize for excellence in the English major, and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where he received a third-year teaching fellowship. His nonfiction has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic online. His fiction has won two national contests, received notable mention in The Best American Short Stories 2014 and been anthologized by Autumn House Press.

David has taught literature at Phillips Academy Andover, fiction at the University of Iowa and creative writing at Southern New Hampshire University. He currently teach creative writing at Southern New Hampshire University, and has designed a course about law school personal statements for 7Sage LSAT.

@"Nicole Hopkins" I know you had said we were recording them have you posted them?

Hey I was just wondering does everyone stick to the study schedule? I am a full time student, as well as work part time and was wondering if anyone actually sticks to it or just goes at their own pace?

I have to admit I am pretty frustrated and I thought Id reach out to see if there were any tips you guys had that worked well for being really mechanical in the moment, especially in LR.

I had to take some time off, and am back at it for my 2nd take in Feb (yes I know I should wait for June, but I still want to go for this cycle). I was a 166 Ave, under performed in Oct as I had to stop studying for a few weeks before and had to take (long story).

The great thing is now, I can in timed review, score in the high 170s, its like a hybrid BR as its more going back to the question (if I have time left over this is true there as well) and I can get my circled questions right very quickly and usually only miss 1-2 but the last 4 tests I seem to be at -7 my first go through.

I've been told its a confidence issue, as I talk myself out of correct answers, but I thought I would ask this group on their approach. Perhaps its something no one can answer, but when I seem to get into self doubt I dont process it with a mechanical approach. Anyone else experienced this? How did you get over that hurdle?

It not a lack of knowledge but as one of the Sages said, knowledge isn't enough. I guess I thought I would ask and maybe someone will share an experience or comment that will help it all "click".

I know as I do more PTs my timing will get faster leaving me more time to return to questions during the test, but Id rather get it the first go and not risk it.

If I apply and get accepted to a school, but decide prior to the first semester that I want to wait another year before attending, is there an option to defer? In the event that I decline and reapply to the same school the following year, is it possible the admissions board would hold that against me and I would not get in the second time? I would imagine each school has a different policy about this, though is there a general trend?

Hi there, I have a very basic question about admissions. I am a traditional splitter with a relatively solid LSAT (169) but a 3.4 GPA. However my major GPA is a 3.65, and I have an upward trend, I have seen some people say that law schools take this into account, but does anyone think that it could have more than a negligible impact on schools in my target range? (Essentially 12-20 in the rankings)

Hello 7Sagers,

I have just finished a first draft of my personal statement. I am looking to get my applications out as soon as possible and was wondering if anyone would be willing to critique my personal statement? I can't even begin to describe how much I would appreciate it!

See title.

Something I came across recently and found slightly confusing was the difference between a claim and an assumption. Can someone help me understand the difference between these two categorizations specifically as it relates to logical reasoning?

3.98 GPA and 165 LSAT. Retaking in February. I already submitted my application but my first choice school says they won't review my application until after I receive my Feb scores, unless I request otherwise. Their median LSAT is 165 but I feel that applying with a 165 won't get me much money (especially since they have a full-tuition scholarship I was hopeful for that would probably call for a 168 or 169). There is a decent (but not great) chance my score will improve in Feb but I fear that rolling admissions will give my spot to other applicants. You see my dilemma.

Your thoughts? I'm leaning towards just asking them to review my application now.

Probably an unusual question, but I have an unusual situation. I contacted the one professor I worked for, took multiple classes from, TA'd for etc back in October. She said she would be more than happy to write me letter. I haven't been able to get in contact with her for months, and my old school would not release any information. She is very old and I recently found out she is battling cancer. Of course, I don't expect her to write my letter now.

I have one solid letter from a prof, and I have a backup letter from my high school English teacher (the class was a college-in-the-high-school class, for what it's worth). Should I mention this stuff in an addenda? I recognize a letter from a high school teacher is probably a little lame, but I did write my optional essay about him. There is no other professor I was very close to/could expect a letter from in a short amount of time. Addenda or not to addenda?

Also, is it okay to mention multiple things in the addenda? I want to write about my upward GPA trend as well.

Thanks everybody!

I had this down to B or D during the timed exam, and I can't figure out what is technically wrong with B. In my mind, it's as close to a sufficient assumption as D is.

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-73-section-2-question-06/

This is a pseudo-sufficient assumption question.

The characters are too stylized for them to be real people. The film is funny, which is important for comedy. The film is popular. Therefore, the criticism of the film for not being realistic is wrong.

What I am looking for: If a comedy is funny, then it's wrong to criticize it for it being not realistic.

Answer A: This severely hurts the argument, which a PSA shouldn't do.

Answer B: I don't see what's wrong with this. This doesn't bring in the comedy part, but I don't see how this isn't a PSA if D is also. We know the film is popular, so if we assume that "if a film is popular, then it is successful," isn't that equally as good answer choice D? Success isn't the word I'd use, but that's why this is a PSA question and not a true SA question. Answer D (the correct answer) also uses the word success.

I get that the "popularity" part is most likely context, but why can't a sufficient assumption make the context relevant to the argument itself? For example, say that

1.) All Jedi use the Force.

Therefore, David uses the Force.

The obvious missing sufficient assumption is "David is a Jedi." But, couldn't I also say that "Everyone named David uses the Force?" To me, that's equally as good a sufficient assumption since it provides an assumption that allows our conclusion to follow validly.

Answer C: We have no idea what films should/shouldn't do.

Answer D: This is close to what I anticipated, so I picked this and kept it during BR. However, what technically makes this better than B? If a film succeeds within a genre (comedy), then the film is successful. Isn't this structurally the same thing as B? The necessary conditions for both B and D are "films are successful" and both sufficient conditions bring in known facts about the film.

Answer E: Same as answer C. We don't know what films should/shouldn't do.

Can anyone experienced with Character & Fitness essays take a quick look over mine to see if I should add/revise anything? It's only two short paragraphs. PM me please

My copy of the Superprep II booklet just arrived, and much to my dismay, LSAC does not indicate what month and year that the C test is.

Considering that A and B are Dec 2010 and June 2011 respectively, I could take a wild guess and assume it's Feb 2012? Perhaps it's a test they used for Sabbath observers.

Anyhow, here's some info about the test if any previous takers know.

Game 1 involves eight children divided by gender who get on a roller coaster.

Game 2 involves stacking letters.

Game 3 involves a costumer designer having to put together three tricolored costumes among six colors. (sounds tough)

Game 4 involves a radio station scheduling interviews with politicians.

RC delivers - passage 2 is about Woody Allen films - Deconstructing Harry, Stardust Memories, Manhattan, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Husbands and Wives, Celebrity, and Broadway Danny Rose! Passage 4 (comparative) features the great economist Thomas Sowell (eat your heart out, Paul Krugman).

Oh, and both Passage 1 and 4 are boring: the former focuses on sheep in New Zealand while the latter features really dense astronomy.

I realize it is probably different for all schools but how long does it typically take to hear back from law schools after submitting applications?

Is a top notch education worth 220k before interest even accrues?

If anyone has any advice on how to better focus myself or tips on what to look for when approaching a reading passage please share! I'm finally in the 160 range after starting at a 142 and I'm still missing 10 to 12 on reading... It's KILLING my score! Any tips help!

Side Note: I've already read the LSAT trainer section on reading and I'm still not showing any improvement. I've also done the 7sage course and read Supreme Court decisions regularly.

Hi everyone,

Just curious is it the norm to get emails from law school admissions offices saying you qualify for a full scholarship after taking the LSAT? The ones that I have gotten so far have not been my target schools, but was just wondering if they are legit or not.

Thanks in advance

I've asked so many people and have always gotten responses that were all over the place about this. Someone please put my heart at rest and tell me whether schools in general have bias towards applicants who have multiple LSAT scores. I understand that fairly consistent improvement is good but if you could get a solid score in 1 or 2 tries, would you be better off than someone who needed 3?

Hi there,

I just got back my December LSAT score and it was worse than I thought. It was my first time taking it and I got 155, my PT's were in the 159-162 range and BR's were 162-166 range. My GPA isn't great either - Last 2 years- 3.267/4.3 and 3.303/4.33 with drops (in other words about a B average). Do I have a shot at getting in to either Dalhousie or Victoria? Should bother applying now for this September (2016) or just boost my lsat and wait for september 2017. I really don't want to wait another year, but I would be in a rush to finish my personal statement in time for this year. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks

I can't really believe what I a going through right now to be honest. I studied diligently for 8 months...did the 7sage course did practice questions, timed sections, about 5 timed PT's and I cant even get past 140's on my timed tests....IDK what happens during timed tests...everything just flies out the window I guess? My last blind review was a 160...not the best but it at least means I understand something about this test....on my BR I am usually -5 to -9 on each LR section -5 to -9 on RC and -0 to -3 on logic games...Why am I not getting this on my timed tests? I have never ever studied so hard for something to see little to no results...to be honest at this point I just want to at least score in the 150's to move on with my life. I have never been a good test taker, but I always did either average or slightly above average, but with this test I just get no where. This test is of no indication what so ever to my future capabilities as a lawyer, or my intelligence, but for some reason it is truly making me depressed with a feeling of hopelessness.

I know posting things like this on a forum is inappropriate, but I def need to talk to fellow test takers because every time I talk to someone about my feelings with this test they just say "its only a test, and one bad test wont ruin your entire future."

So... December 2015 was my second write of the lsat.

For my first write I studied for about a month with Princeton Law Review.. I felt in no way prepared or ready to take the test but took it anyway. Scored a 156. Not surprised.. it was actually higher than my highest PT. I wasn't too concerned since I was in my third year of university and knew I could write again and have time to prepare.

For my second write (December 2015) I joined 7Sage. I purchased the premium package, studied for 3 months, and took ~35 PT's (some PT's in the 40's and 50's and all 60-70's and 3 to 4 a week) I did a BR for each and really felt like I was mastering the content. Within the weeks approaching the test I was scoring between 164-170. I actually felt prepared to write in December. Got my mark back.. and i got a 154. WTF!?!?! how is that even possible?? I got a higher score feeling ill-prepared studying for just 1 month?? I didn't feel necessarily nervous or anxious during the test and actually felt like I crushed both LR and RC sections. Turns out I clearly didn't... . For the games I usually go -0 but game 3 really sewered me too.

I just re-wrote PT 77, after a month of not studying and got a 170 (keeping in mind the content was more familiar). What the hell is going on?? I write my most of my PT's in a room with constant city noise in the background plus the distractions at almost "high" on the 7Sage proctor app so I know that wasn't much of a factor..

I already applied to schools for the 2016 cycle and with these scores, the schools I applied to won't even touch me! I signed up for the Feb test already, which will be my third take. I have seriously never been so devastated and discouraged in my life. I put serious effort and hours into studying only to have it not pay off one bit.

I've lurked so many forums and took into consideration different study methods and they all seemed to work well. I genuinely thought I had the perfect system. What do I do from here? How should I change my study method for the feb test?