Strong application... except for lsat

hopefullawyer-1

I am applying this cycle currently with a 156 on my lsat and am retaking in January with hopes of improving. Aside from my score I feel I have a strong application: Two internships at international and local nonprofits (one 3 months-full time and one 8 months long- part time, and an internship in the legal department of a crime victims assistance center (4 months-part time). I am a human rights masters student (4.0 gpa) with an extensive capstone project focusing on legal issues and undergrad was in philosophy politics and law (3.86 gpa, summa cum laude at my university). I also have extracurriculars and have worked part time throughout undergrad and now graduate school. I am a first gen student, second gen US citizen and have received need based aid throughout school. Will my LSAT score significantly drag me down? My goal school is Northeastern University School of Law in Boston. Should I apply even if my score doesn't improve or try to improve and apply next cycle and get more work experience?

davidsemel128

you don't need more work experience. They care about grades and LSAT primarily. The reason to defer would be if you think you can significantly improve your LSAT but just not in time for this cycle

MattyCzar

Like the previous person said, law schools predominantly care about undergrad GPA and LSAT scores. That's essentially 90-95% of the application. The median LSAT at Northeastern is a 163, so if that's where you want to go, that's what you have to aim for. A few extra LSAT points are worth infinitely more than work experience.