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Applicant wisdom

Advice applicants left on their LSD.Law profiles, searchable by topic, school, and stats.

LSAT 168 GPA 3.96 2021–22 cycle

Attending University of Michigan

…would enable me to accomplish my goals. After considering retaking the LSAT, I ultimately decided against it because I did not believe I’d be able to successfully study for the exam during the school year and had concerns about delaying my applications until later in the cycle by waiting for my score/wanting to do…

LSAT 174 GPA 3.60 2020–21 cycle

Admitted to Duke University

…happens to take a more discouraging attitude towards LSAT retakes in her videos. One of her videos (at the time of this writing) suggests that unless there are strong exigent circumstances that interfered with your LSAT, you should not retake, as most LSAT re-takers do not measurably improve their LSAT scores on…

LSAT 173 GPA 3.95 2021–22 cycle

Attending Stanford University

if i could do it again, i would apply to fewer schools. i also wouldn’t retake the lsat - i took it a second time and scored lower. retaking is generally a good idea, but i didn’t set myself up for success to score higher by retaking it during the same semester i was taking 19 credits and writing my app materials.…

LSAT 174 GPA 3.71 2021–22 cycle

Attending New York University

…shot maybe? Put in as much time as you can on the LSAT Retake until you’re at a score you’re happy with, or at/above medians of the schools you’re excited about. It is the best use of your time for getting into law school, and worth more than any amount of time you spend working on your personal statement (but do…

LSAT 171 GPA 3.84 2023–24 cycle

Attending University of Michigan

…about my goals and where I wanted to end up. Decided to retake just to see if I still had some left in the tank. Got a 171, which is still somehow borderline for T-14, but Reddit + LSD helped me see that it was worthing giving it another shot! This year’s stats: LSAT: 171 CAS CPA: 3.84 Work Experience: 3ish years -…

LSAT 177 GPA 3.98 2023–24 cycle

Attending University of California—Berkeley

Very grateful for my cycle and results. I cannot recommend enough retaking the lsat even when you don’t want to, and studying differently if you weren’t thrilled with your initial results. If it is possible for you to work w someone 1:1, do it. LG was my biggest struggle (would’ve probably had a much easier time if…

LSAT 174 GPA 3.87 2022–23 cycle

Attending Harvard University

…be for you and others will not be. Do not be afraid of retaking and getting the test that was written for you. Michigan was my first acceptance and I was content to go there, especially with the scholarship. The only thing that could have changed my mind was Harvard, as I knew I’d get aid, or a better offer from…

LSAT 172 GPA 3.78 2021–22 cycle

Attending Duke University

…UR3 1/18 4 takes to get a 172. If you’re considering retaking the LSAT (and you have the time to study and think you can improve your score based on PTs)… **DO IT! **I know people say schools “look down” on multiple LSAT scores…. but they definitely look down on low/below median scores more.

LSAT 168 GPA 3.97 2021–22 cycle

Attending Duke University

…to (my biggest error). Get a million eyes on your essays. Retake the lsat again if needed. My biggest takeaway- DONT SELL YOURSELF SHORT! i told myself i would be “practical” and this only hurt me when making a decision because I had huge imposter syndrome. Don’t be afraid to shoot your shot at more reaches! if i…

LSAT 173 GPA 3.82 2020–21 cycle

Admitted to Duke University

…was atypical in that I could have cancelled my score to retake. Beyond that, how many of the lines on my resume did I earn vs. how many of them were things that I arose out of serendipity but that I take as my achievement. i wish i hadn’t invested so much negative energy in dissecting how exactly I was wronged by…

LSAT 171 GPA 3.52 2020–21 cycle

Attending Duke University

Took the LSAT for the first time in Sep 2020. Not completely happy with the score but decided not to retake because the stress with test prep while juggling work was unreal. R&R wasn’t really an option, partially due to the stress, partially because of the professional ceiling at my current job. Wrote “why X” for…

LSAT 168 GPA 4.01 2020–21 cycle

Attending Cornell University

I forwent an LSAT retake and went for the early application gambit, taking my target schools by surprise. Did it work? Maybe. Quality over quantity: A lot of thought went into my school list, and I applied nowhere I wouldn’t have been thrilled to go. That showed in my materials. When it comes to written materials,…

LSAT 173 GPA 4.00 2020–21 cycle

Attending Columbia University

…GPA and LSAT (though I only took it once because I felt retaking a 173 would send a negative signal to all schools except HYS) Advice/Factors that didn’t hurt: Apply as early as possible Write the “why x” statements Tell a story in your personal statement that just so happens to reveal a coherent narrative about…

LSAT 171 GPA 3.94 2022–23 cycle

Admitted to University of Virginia

…and realistic about the chances, there’s no need to retake. I wrote a 2-page PS and 1-page DS for all schools. I had 3 LORs: 2 academic and 1 work. If the school offered me interview opportunities I always accepted them. I also did the following supplemental essays: Yale: Yale 250- Stanford: Short Essay about Music…