Should I Cancel My LSAT Score?

Question

I took the LSAT twice before (December 2006 and February 2007). I took it again this December and I can feel that I did not do well. I prepared for almost one year, but the timing is what got me and this test was really hard (they have harder tests depending on the time of year), and I know they made this one extremely hard because they know it is the last test that will be considered for Fall 2009 admissions.

I'm 23, and wanted to start law school right out of college, but that didn't happen. If I cancel, I will have to wait to reapply for Fall 2010 admissions, and if everything goes well, I will be starting school at age 25. I know age doesn't really have anything to do with it, but I'm so frustrated because being a lawyer has been a lifelong goal of mine.

I am leaning toward canceling because if I do, I will start re-studying now and take the LSAT in October 2009. With two previous very poor scores, canceling does seem as my best option.

What do law schools think about the previous low scores, one score cancellation and a new LSAT score (hopefully above 170)? Will I never get into law school? I also called some of the top schools (Harvard, NYU, Yale, Stanford, Georgetown, etc.) and they all told me that a score cancellation does not affect your chances of getting admitted and they do accept students with score cancellations. One of them told me I can take the LSAT up to five times and I will still be considered. They just said to include an addendum (a statement explaining why you canceled). But we all know that they tell you what they want you to hear and that's not necessarily the truth.

If I do cancel, I plan on working in a law firm as a paralegal (I already have a Diploma in Paralegal Studies) and doing some extraordinary to catch the admissions committee's attention.

So, what should I do?

Answer 1

You seem like a bright person. However, even you must admit that after three attempts and still not a decent score what are the chances of you pulling off a 170 or above. You said that you have studied for at least a year. Think about ANYTHING that has taken you at least a year in life to learn and yet you still have not grasp it, other than LSAT? My guess is you are focusing on very irrational pressures, such as getting in at a respectable age, or getting in law school before you have to pay back undergrad student loans. I have a suggestion for you:



1. Stop focusing on trying to get in the top 20 law schools in order to graduate there in the top 10 to get the selected few 100k job. In the grand scheme of things 100k is not very much money. Think about it.



2. Focus on passing the LSAT to get in A LAW SCHOOL. If being a lawyer is truly your passion then you only need a law degree to accomplish this.



***Disclaimer*** Ofcourse you should want to go to the best school possible. However, if it is money that drives you to want to go to a top school then please pay attention to all that you have heard from people thus far. What they say is your chances of getting a higher paying job when you graduate is greater if you attended a top school. This may hold true for your job entering the career field. This says nothing about where your CAREER will lead you. Your first job out of law school may pay you 50k the first year. With experience you can take another position paying twice as much, and with experience. In conclusion please do not get caught up in "your first job". Your first job is where you hone your skills for the next, higher paying job.



3. If you are still dead set on getting in a top school then do the following:



Forget about the pressure of doing better than 99% of LSAT takers. Focus on GETTING A SCORE to get in A LAW SCHOOL. Once in you can always excel and transfer.



***Disclaimer*** If in a 2 tier school and you do not excel, or rise to the top, then you would more than likely be at the near bottom at a 1 tier, which after graduation would put you in contention with 2 tier graduates job wise anyway. So if nothing else get in a school and rise to the top and transfer to a better school.



4. Do not cancel the score. Study hard. Get into A SCHOOL and transfer if need be. Remeber the LSAT is just a the preleminary to law school. Do not give it the extra, and largely unnecessary stress, that is undeserving. The stress comes IN law school. Not the LSAT. Take my advice and you will be a lawyer one day. You can do it!!!

Answer 2

Cancel the score. I know a lot of people who are just started law school who are 29-30 years old.

Answer 3

cancel it, and try again. if its your goal then you need to try for it.