Applying now but retaking the test in February

[hhhheey]

I scored below what i thought i was going to get. I'm dead set on attending law school in the fall of 2007 and am wondering what happens if i retake the test in February though all my applications will be in by then. Do i have to tell law schools i'm retaking? I was thinking of retaking and then depending on what i get notifying the schools. I don't think i could possibly do worse than what i got already  b/c it was lower than my first practice test score (was practicing 8-11 points higher. what would happen if i do worse? i'm planning to not study too much. Maybe do one or two practice tests before hand. I was practicing consistently with a score i would like to get but think that i put too much pressure on the actual test day and that i had a really unfortunate work stress the night before. I'm just hoping if i do well that i can notify schools and give myself a better chance of getting in.

[freakoutgirl]

I am in your exact same boat and was wondering this as well.  I have already applied, but does that mean that I have to notify them of my February test plans?  And what's this about applying with the score I have and still retaking?  I thought that once you were denied, that's it?  I am confused as well...

[Ersatz]

I am going to derail this thread by not addressing your question, but I have to say this: it is extremely stupid and short-sighted to go to a crappy law school just because you are "dead set" on going to law school next year if you think you are capable of doing better on the LSAT. I really don't understand why so many people have this "law school or bust" attitude. Yes, all law schools teach you the same stuff. No, all law schools are not the same when the time comes to get a job. I mean, really. It's one year. One of the many, many years that you have. Take the time off, study for about six months, improve your score by five or more points, and go to a better school instead of barely getting into a school that you are not really happy with. Why is that such a hard concept to accept?

[Sweetpri]

I think it would be a good idea to let the schools you've applied to know that you're re-taking if you think you're likely to get rejected with your current score.

[hhhheey]

it is extremely stupid and short-sighted to go to a crappy law school just because you are "dead set" on going to law school next year if you think you are capable of doing better on the LSAT. I really don't understand why so many people have this "law school or bust" attitude. Yes, all law schools teach you the same stuff. No, all law schools are not the same when the time comes to get a job. I mean, really. It's one year. One of the many, many years that you have. Take the time off, study for about six months, improve your score by five or more points, and go to a better school instead of barely getting into a school that you are not really happy with. Why is that such a hard concept to accept?

Eratz who is to say that i will improve. I scored well below my practicing averages. I don't know why it's hard for you to accept that I and some others would rather go to law school next year, even if it's a lower ranked school, than to wait a year.

[hypergex]

If you want to hide it from them then don't sign up for the LSAT until after you have applied and the reports have been sent.

[notengoplata]

I would absolutely, 100%, without a doubt, alert the schools you have already applied to that you plan on retaking the test. Otherwise, they will make their decision solely on the information they have, i.e, your previous score.

I, for one, am not a fan of applying after taking the February test for a variety of reasons. Primarily, because even if you score on the higher end - you do not get your score until some time in march and most schools have already sent out most of their offers by then and their incoming class is pretty much filled out. Think about it, while you are waiting for your new score, most people already know where they are going.

but, if you plan on taking the test, without a doubt, alert the schools you have already applied to. Send a letter, or an email, or even call them.

-Peter

[freakoutgirl]

What is everyone's general consensus on when law school peeps will be back in action after Christmas break?  If I had to guess I would say January 2nd...agreed?

[notengoplata]

I was thinking the same thing today. I think ad coms will probably start making the bulk of their decisions around then. I can't wait.

-Peter

[Bouzie1982]

What is everyone's general consensus on when law school peeps will be back in action after Christmas break?  If I had to guess I would say January 2nd...agreed?

I think some admissions offices area already open, it had to depend on the school.  I know that Vandy sent me an email and requested my report this morning.