Hey guys,

Did anyone just receive a fee waiver from Columbia?

I know fee waivers don’t mean anything in terms of my chance of admission, but it was kind of surprising to see I received one from Columbia, considering my LSAT score is 167. (Hopefully I scored higher on the Dec. LSAT)

What do you guys think?

Hey 7sagers! I just wanted some advice. I am a first generation college grad. I have mentioned it in my personal statement. Do you guys think it is worth writing a diversity statement as well? Or is it something that is fairly common?

didn't know what other word to use for unnecessary BS

I started this LSAT journey with a quick pass through of the Kaplan logical reasoning approach and, honestly, there were still some pretty gaping holes in my comfort with logical reasoning translation. At first, I felt like the 7sage approach helped a lot... it is much more mechanical and requires memorization of those four groups and the translation strategy. This worked well for me while going through the initial lessons, but now that it's all mixed together, I am realizing that it's just not intuitive for me to translate the group 3 and 4 words so mechanically.

For example, I find it much easier to treat UNLESS as a logical indicator for the necessary term. Then, I simply replace the word "unless" with my arrow and negate the sufficient term (this was the part I often forgot while doing the Kaplan practice problems). However, Kaplan's way definitely made things easier when the sentence also contains a negative, so a group 4 word. In that case, it means what it is... that term is just a negative term. I don't have to flip things or rearrange the sentence to translate it.

My question is, if I treat "unless" and "without" in the way that Kaplan explained it to me, do I need to ignore the whole entire 7sage translation system? Or, I guess to say that differently, I am specifically wondering about translating in groups 3 and 4. Has anyone else found these two approaches conflicting or am I just looking at it the wrong way?

According to Spivey's data, there has been an overall increase in the number of applicants, specifically those scoring in the 160s to 170s, notably with a 262% increase in those who scored a 175! Does this mean that the cycle is going to be more competitive going forward, with the unlimited retake policy? How will schools treat splitters and reverse-splitters?

Heres the link: http://blog.spiveyconsulting.com/december-2017-data/

My name is Mark. Ill be travelling to NYC for the week next week and would love to grab a coffee with a few cohorts. I'm thinking Monday afternoon, 2pm-ish, but I am pretty flexible. Sort of a nomad for the week.

A little about me. 49, my oldest is in the city for his Masters degree work at Juilliard. I just (emotionally) finished taking the LSAT for the last time, so I am one of those that is working with what they have. (This test beat the crap out of the CPA exam I have to say, and that exam lasted for days not hours).

Whether you are seasoned, or fresh out of school, it makes sense to me to reach out and share stories, strategies, or just general fears.

We can target a location as we get closer.

And to save the discussion boards some clutter, we may move the convo "offline". I'll keep checking in periodically to see if anyone's interest has been peaked.

I graduated last June and took the December test, short story is I am 95% sure that I did poorly. I am currently registered for the February test.I have called the schools I am interested in applying and they said that I will still be in consideration even after February. They will just hold my application while they wait for my February results. I am not applying for any scholarship money, since I am well aware its too late to even apply. But is it too late to apply to law school with the February LSAT result?

I have read people saying that most admission spots will be filled, and this is highly discouraging... Why the heck would the school even take my application (and money) if they already filled their roster for 2018...

I graduated from undergrad this past May, did a fulfilling internship abroad, then came home to start studying for my LSAT. I thought I would take it in Dec but my PS course didn't adequately prepare me and I found 7sage too late. Planning to take in Feb, but even considering taking it in June if my scores aren't consistently in the 170s by the Feb date.

I can't help but feel embarrassed that I've taken time off to come home study for this exam while my impressive, high achieving friends are off with their shiny new post-grad jobs. I decided to take time off/study at home because I know personally that I'm pretty anxious with standardized exams and wanted to feel fully prepped. My diagnostic was also much lower than I wanted it to be. I feel lesser telling them "I'm studying for the LSAT."

Now I can't help but feel even more embarrassed with the thought of pushing the date back and them knowing/judging me, etc.

Has anyone been in a similar situation with friends? How did you deal with it? I feel dumb for even typing this out, but it's getting to the point where I think it's affecting my studying bc I feel like I'm doing something wrong.

Hey! I’m starting to foolproof games now and I was wondering if and why it’s necessary to keep your old game papers and setups as opposed to just the data? Do you ever go back and look at ur game setups ? Thanks!

Hey everyone,

Columbia is currently the #5 law school in the nation. But relative to other schools within its ranks, its 25th/50th/75th percentile GPAs are incredibly low: 3.56/3.70/3.81.

Their LSAT scores are more on par with their ranking: 168/172/174.

To me, this could be the result of two competing explanations:

If scenario #1 is true, that is a really good case for GPA splitters - people who have good GPAs but meh LSATs. For example, a 3.90 GPA with a 167 LSAT might just get you into Columbia.

But if scenario #2 is true, then sorry GPA splitters! It doesn't really matter.

I was wondering what y'alls' thoughts were on this topic. I've always been dumbfounded as to how comparatively low Columbia's GPA standards are. Is this because people who apply their don't have as stellar GPAs, or because they just don't care about GPA as much? Or something else?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and theories.

Thanks,

Paul

I just stopped at the end of section 2-- logic games-- in a prep test, after leaving one game almost completely unfinished. I think I'm ready to give up on the LSAT.

My background: went to a good school, didn't have direction, graduated with a 3.0, and I've been working in a job that I hate for three years. Public service is my passion, and I really want to go to law school (a good law school, of course). I need to crack into the 170's to be a viable candidate. I started studying in May with the PowerScore books, then I discovered 7Sage a few months ago. I've been studying pretty seriously and intensively for the last 2-3 months. My score has improved from a 155 to a 162, but it has stagnated at that 162 for three tests. I've been doing some refining around the edges, really utilizing that LSAT analytics feature-- nailing 4s and 5s.

I feel like I'm not "getting" it-- like I don't have that edge, or intelligence, or whatever it is that allows oneself to crack 170. My throat is hoarse from screaming after ending another logic games section with a game untouched. I thought, what's the point anymore? I've been working at it for so long and hard and I still can't nail these games under timed circumstances, especially when there's only one 1 in the set. Sure, I can go back afterward under non-timed conditions and eventually get it. And sure, I can do it ten times after watching JY brilliantly explain it, but that doesn't change how I perform when I try to apply what I've learned.

I've read some stories from people who have scored really well (175+), and they all share a common feature: they studied for a couple of months (usually around 2-4, sometimes 6), and ended up scoring in the range near what they scored on the test on their last few practice tests. I know everyone is different, but after 6 months of studying I feel like I should be going 150->160->162->165->166->...->171 based on how hard I'm working on this.

I try my hardest to stay positive, think intuitively, be a good listener, and apply what I learned from the lessons to the new material presented to me in practice tests, but I feel like it's getting me nowhere. Am I not smart enough? Have I just hit my mental capacity? I'm no genius by any means, but I feel like I'm pretty damn intelligent.

At this point, I don't see a path forward. And it really sucks. Anyone else relate? How did you pull yourself out of it? How did you start nailing practice tests? My test is Feb 10, and I'm really considering throwing in the towel now.

I have studied with power score in the past and have taken blueprint as well. Powerscore LR says to read stimulus first and then the question but blueprint is the other way around ( read question then stimulus). What is your take/suggestion?

Hi 7sagers!

I'm based in Manhattan, and I'm interested in starting a study group that meets in person for the upcoming June 2018 LSAT. I'm currently registered to take the February 2018 LSAT, but I may postpone.

I'm using materials mostly from 7Sage as well as the LSAT Trainer and Manhattan LSAT Prep.

Please contact me if you are interested, and I'll reply as soon as I can.

Hi there,

This would be a miscellaneous question! So I am applying right now and in the first week of January but I will be moving out of my place to another place till mid February or so, and then I intend on moving once again, to yet another address, this time in a completely different state. What should I do in terms of putting my "current address" in the applications or in my resume and the like? Should I go ahead and just put my current address or should I put the future one? The final address would be able to receive any and all letters if it need be. I am thinking it might not matter at all since everything is done electronically these days and I feel compelled to just put my future address but I don't want to "lie" on my application

any thoughts are welcomed

Thanks!

Hi all, although this is my first time posting, I've already been studying for the LSAT starting from September. As such, I'm decently familiar with the general structure of logic games.

My question to everyone is, do you think it's counterproductive to listen to podcasts while re-doing logic games from previous PTs that I've already done? It's in my nature to try to do multiple things at one time, but I'm wondering if I'm hurting my retention of the game inferences by listening to a podcast in the background. Obviously I do not do podcasts while practicing the other LSAT sections, however logic games are just more tedious because I'll re-do each one at least 5 times if not more during foolproofing, and I really like the extra stimulation of sound in the background. Am I the only one who does this?

Hey everyone I need some help/advice. While studying for the LSAT it seemed to me that there was a method to the madness certain steps/processes to follow in order to effectively reach the end goal. However, when it comes to the personal statement I am completely lost, I write something and end up deleting it because I don't like what I wrote or there are times where I sit down and just don't know what to even write about. Is anyone else going through this?

Hello everyone,

February will be my third and final exam, and making the final push now. Was wondering what your study week looks like? Do you guys try to do a bit of LR, RC, LG in a day, or focus on one section per day?

I work full time, and usually study for an hour before work, and 2-3 hours afterwards.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.. best of luck to everyone!

I'm pretty sure I didn't do very well on the Dec LSAT. My average PT score dropped 10 points a month before the test (I was devastated) and it didn't vastly improve before test day. I'm wondering what my chances of getting in my back-up school are if my GPA is over their 75% and LSAT is under their 25% (by two points, which is where I'm thinking I'll land after scores come out). My resume includes a lot of volunteer work, leadership awards and positions, and work experience. I worked through undergrad and am currently working full time as the HR coordinator of a large physicians practice (I'm interested in health care law).

Any thoughts or advice? Is it even worth applying if my LSAT ends up under the school's 25%?

What's up with schools that say they take Feb. lsats but have deadlines way earlier than the projected lsat score date? For example Yale says they take it but their deadline is 2/28

So I like many others am currently waiting for LSAC to publish last Saturday's results. Is it to much to ask that they post results within 4 days of taking the exam? So I have switched gears to seriously getting out applications. I have started looking at consultants to help fine tune my personal statement and my resume. I am worried that with my gpa already locked in and my LSAT score up in the air, I could be on the line for my dream school. My GPA is dead in between the 25% and 50%. I just need help making sure I sound good on paper in case my LSAT score comes back in the 25% as well. Any advice? I don't have thousands to spend on making myself look bright and shiny, and I have a good resume and what I think is a good personal statement. I just would feel 50% better about all of this if I knew my personal statement wasn't a pile of poo. Anyone have any recommendations? I feel like I am pretty open to all of the options, but also pretty frugal as well, as we all know that law school wont be cheap by any means. TIA!!

Anyone sent any petition out to law schools for taking the feb lsat? if so how did it go?

Hi,

With the recent announcement from Northwestern that they accelerated the GRE acceptance to this cycleI'm considering taking it within the next 2 weeks. My question is do you think it can compensate for a low LSAT? I have studied for the GMAT 2 years ago and scored well. And I heared that it's easier than both LSAT & GMAT. I'm an international student ( English is my second language) & majored in Finance, so the math section might give me some advantage.

Is there a specific threshold which would be considered a strong score? Any advice would help.

This also could mean more time to register for lsat... but why? Is the pool of applicants shrinking? Or maybe LSAC fears the GRE?

Hi everyone! I just wanted to share a bit of my experience and hopefully encourage someone. After 3 months of prepping I was PTing around 150, 153 or so. My biggest issue was that I would only get half way through each section before time was called, thus only getting half the potential points each time (and that would depend on what I answered correctly). I was using a number of study materials, one of which was a book which (though I didn't realize it at the time) was poisonous to my mentality. It said things which led me to believe that the scores I was getting at the time in the low 150's were the highest I would ever be capable of regardless of study efforts. It said that a person was unlikely to ever improve more than 10 points or so from their first PT score, and even those 10 points would be brutal to earn. I thought its advice to "accept" your capabilities and your limits was a "wake up call" of sorts, that I would never get the score I had hoped for when I first began studying (a 170+).

As I approached the September 2017 test, I felt unprepared, and I knew I hadn't done my best. My sister helped me to see that I am capable of anything I want. With hard work, I am capable of a 180. I withdrew the night before the exam. I stopped using that particular book, enrolled in 7Sage, and started working independently on fixing my timing issue so that I could get to more questions. My 7Sage diagnostic PT soon after beginning the course was a 162. I continued to work through the course and studied harder than before, and smarter than before, learning more about timing strategies and what approaches to take to specific questions. This made me faster, and improved my ability to find correct answer choices and pass over trap answer choices, sometimes with a laugh to myself.

Over time, I ended up seeing scores of 165, 168, 170, and 171. Once I broke through the 170 mark, I did not always stay there, and would sometimes see a 164 or 168 again. However at that point, it would be the result of fatigue during the test, moving too slowly on a harder section, silly mistakes like thinking the question had asked what do Sally and Jim "agree" on rather than "disagree" on, or being intimidated by an innovative (but doable) LG, and that score change would be the difference of about 2 to 5 individual LSAT questions. I knew what I was doing, I just had to practice and fine tune, continue foolproofing games and blind reviewing my exams.

I sat for the LSAT a few days ago (December exam) and I, of course, do not know what my score is. However, I said all this to say that if you are getting scores on your PT's that you are not happy with, and you feel that you are capable of more, than I believe you are. It takes a lot of hard work, and it takes the will to dedicate yourself to this even in spite of a particularly discouraging PT score or a question type that seems to get you every time. But by understanding the correct approach, meticulously analyzing every mistake, and thoroughly confirming correct, successful lines of thinking, you, dear reader, are just as capable of the score you want as anyone else.

I know that there may be some debate in the world about what undergraduate courses might help someone be better equipped for this test, or how a super genius might study one month or less and ace the test. I'm not going to fully go into that, but what I will say is this: it may not be easy for you (it was not easy for me at all), but you are more than capable of the hard work it takes to achieve what you want.

I was very nervous to share my story but, if I have encouraged someone, it's worth it. A big thank you to 7Sage for the wonderful curriculum and all the lovely motivational quotes! Fellow testers, I wish you the best!

TL; DR: After my months of improved preparation following the September LSAT date, on my absolute worst day I PT'd 14 points above my first LSAT score of 150, on my best day I PT'd 21 points above my first LSAT score. Be encouraged! "You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." -Winnie the Pooh

On 7sage. I am retaking for february. can it be completed by the exam? otherwise what do you recommend? thanks!