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Applicant wisdom

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

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 168 GPA 3.66 2023–24 cycle

Attending University of California—Berkeley

…was ripped from me. It was too late in the cycle for a retake (I took November LSAT and was working full time at an intensive job). I felt like a failure to my family, friends and spouse. Despite this I really wanted to go to law school in the fall it was a goal I set for myself. I went into this cycle expecting to…

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 180 GPA 4.10 2023–24 cycle

Admitted to Stanford University

Start this process early. If you plan to be applying in the fall, take the LSAT in the spring to leave yourself time to retake if necessary. Start working on your personal statement. Get as many eyes as possible on your essays. In undergrad, try to take multiple classes with professors if you think you can do well…

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 172 GPA 4.03 2023–24 cycle

Attending New York University

SEVERELY better cycle compared to 2022-2023 for me (◕_◕). I did not retake the LSAT, just strengthened my application parts and applied in November instead of February.

LSAT 177 GPA 3.84 2022–23 cycle

Admitted to University of Chicago

…final score and were really, really expensive. Not sure if retaking a 172 helped my apps at schools where it was at or above median without a Why X (only wrote Why Cornell, Berkeley, and a little bit why NYU in a scholarship essay). Know what’s best for you, do all the essays you can, and don’t rush your first take-…

LSAT 168 GPA 4.08 2022–23 cycle

Attending University of California—Berkeley

…MCAT prep, started LSAT prep. Took LSAT once and did not retake. Submitted all applications before Thanksgiving, wrote Why X for the schools I really cared about. My T3 soft is being published for clinical/biomolecular research in a reputable medical journal as second author. I also have a published abstract in the…

LSAT 173 GPA 3.86 2022–23 cycle

Attending New York University

…about whether you want to plan on giving yourself a retake or two, because it may or may not be worth it. Don’t feel extreme pressure to submit your apps before Thanksgiving. Submit them when they are good and ready, but do try to submit them before January, if you can. Even if you apply in September, you may not…

LSAT 170 GPA 3.87 2022–23 cycle

Attending University of California—Berkeley

…got too lazy to continue studying for my scheduled October retake because I started working full time and cancelled last minute. It’s in the past now, but I wonder if I could have gotten a couple points extra if I studied a bit harder/longer to get me at or above some of the other T14 medians besides Duke and…

LSAT 173 GPA 3.86 2022–23 cycle

Attending Harvard University

…NYU after NYU hold. LSAC GPA was slightly lower than uGPA. Retake the LSAT if you need to, apply early if you can. Good luck! You’ll do great!

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 169 GPA 3.86 2022–23 cycle

Attending Yale University

…score. In hindsight it doesn’t matter, but I truly believe retakes will never hurt. Application Process: I applied to 40 schools total, most of which were originally applied to with my second LSAT score (167). At the time, after living on r/LSAT, I really didn’t know what my outcome would be and felt I didn’t do…

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…