Requesting Accommodations

on_the_brink

I plan to retake the LSAT in January and am wondering how hard it is to have accomodations approved and if law schools will see if I had them?

For those of you who've experienced this already, what materials did you need to provide to the LSAC? I had accomodations in college, would that make it more likely for me to have them approved for the LSAT?

karaurdn

From my experience, my accommodations were approved by only submitting a medical form filled out by a specialist. My tutor also confirmed that if you have a medical form, LSAC really cannot reject you, especially because of the lawsuit that occurred due to LSAC's strict accommodations policies. Honestly, if you can have a medical specialist fill out the LSAC form along with submitting proof that you had accommodations in college, there truly is no reason to reject you. I would go for it if you can get a medical form.

In addition, I would move a bit fast and submit your accommodations sooner rather than later. I know it is stated on LSAC's site that they will come to a verdict 14 business days after submitting but I didn't receive a decision till a month later. I believe LSAC is a bit backed up currently for some reason and is not operating on their usual deadlines.

Lastly, it states on LSAC's website that they cannot show nor disclose if you have had/requested testing accommodations. Only the score itself will appear to the schools you apply to.

on_the_brink

Thank you, @karaurdn ! How does one access the medical form from LSAC? I'm assuming it's on the website but if not, do I have to ask for it from them?

andrea0308

You can find it here: https://www.lsac.org/lsat/register-lsat/accommodations/documentation-requirements

BriannaK13

I submitted evidence of past accommodations in a school setting (504/IEP), approval for accommodations on other standardized tests, a note indicating I am currently receiving accommodations (in college), and a medical note indicating my diagnosis.

Grab The Lantern

I just got a letter from my psychiatrist that I have ADHD, 0 issues.

on_the_brink

Thanks everyone!

csearen99

From my understanding if you have already been given accommodations previously (outside of LSAC) it’s very easy to get approval.

For the question of “will law schools know?” NO, it’s against HIPPA for one and two, they only see the scores, they do not see who had extra time and it is not weighted differently.

I had a pre law advisor express that concern a few months back thinking that those who have extra time will be weighted differently and seen differently. I had asked a law school if they can see who had testing accommodations and if the scores are different for those who have them. They responded with what I said above, “We can not tell who has accommodations or not in the lsat score and it is NOT graded differently”

dsaleh21

If you had gone undiagnosed in undergrad and only received a diagnosis more recently, does that impact your chances of receiving an accommodation?

sarahislam

@dsaleh21 said:
If you had gone undiagnosed in undergrad and only received a diagnosis more recently, does that impact your chances of receiving an accommodation?

No DSaleh21 it does not. You just need to take care to choose a qualified health professional (like a psychologist with PhD who may specialize in learning disorders )who will write your letter with precision and very carefully. in your narrative youshould also explain that for reasons you explain you did not have accommodations in college. Alot of URM's like myself grew up in families where the idea of accommodations was unknown and hence not sought until a doctor or school later in adult life id'ed the learning disorder or other issue. I say to choose your letter writer carefully because it is often an uphill battle to obtain accommodations without demonstrating a past history. So it's useful to be very precise and careful with the evidence that is provided.