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What to do if the December 2010 LSAT Did Not go Well

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What to do if the December 2010 LSAT Did not go Well
As you’re all aware of by now, LSAT scores are out. If you took the December 2010 LSAT, your LSAT experience is over (if you want it to be). If you are happy with your score, and are applying for Fall 2011 admission, you should be applying as soon as humanly possible. Like, today. Hopefully all your other pieces of your application are into LSAC, and you can just go ahead and submit the apps. Do it right away, because we’re currently in the high tide of application season. Applications are done on a rolling basis, and so the earlier you apply, the better chances you have at both getting in and getting money. A ton of people will be applying this week, so get your applications in as soon as you possibly can.

But what to do if your score was less than you hoped for? There are a few paths you can take.

If your score was only somewhat lower than what you wanted, you have the option of going ahead and applying anyway. You might have to apply somewhat lower on the food chain than you had expected, but it might not be a huge shift in the caliber of law schools you’re applying to.

If you do take this route, and apply now, you should consider taking the February LSAT as well. By the time you get your February score back, some schools will have already accepted or denied you, and for them the extra score is meaningless. But for the schools that have put you on a waitlist, or that just haven’t given you a decision yet, a higher February score can help push you into the “accepted” box.

If your score was much lower than you expected, and you’re not willing to apply with it, then retaking is definitely going to be in your future. You can retake in February and still apply for 2011, but with some qualifications. First, some schools just won’t let you, so you might have to look at some alternate schools, and ask yourself if you’re OK with not having a shot at the ones who won’t take a February score. Second, since admissions are done on a rolling basis, your chances of admission will be lower than if you had applied earlier in the cycle. If you’re not OK with that, then you might want to look at 2012 admission. But if that’s fine with you, then, by all means, knock yourself out.

And for those of you who have already applied, congratulations. Enjoy the next eight months of freedom.