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Amazingly, I have heard that exact line before. More than once.
I’ve also heard thousands of times, “I way underperformed, I am doomed.” Indeed, I’ve heard from about 40 people in the last 20 hours who think just that. There are hundreds more out there who think the same right now.
For so many reasons, you can’t fail the LSAT. And because I have seen the following scenario unfold so many times, I wanted to give some facts. Not an overblown pep talk or a feel good story. Just a few basic facts.
Fact 1: Schools will only care about your highest score. It is the only score that goes to USNWR. The mandate on the admissions office is to only care about your highest score. Furthermore, LSAC no longer limits the number of tests you can take, so this point is even more relevant – if you need to retake the test, you can retake the test.
Fact 2: Taking the February test is not close to too late. About half of admissions decisions will come after Feb.
Fact 3: If you apply in January because you took the Dec. LSAT, no school will hold that against you as a, “they did not apply early so we must yield protect them.” You are fine on YP if you take the December LSAT.
Fact 4: So many people walk out of the LSAT thinking they did worse, only to see their score is right at what they were test-taking. It is a highly natural feeling.
Fact 5: Going to the law school of your dreams is a journey as much as it is going to be a destination. I can’t tell you how many times we have seen people start far below where they wanted to, keep moving forward, and get their desired results. There are so many different ways to get there that any one test score underperforming is essentially meaningless.
This isn’t a post-game defeat speech. I just wanted to say I have seen this scenario play out so many times IN FAVOR of the applicant who walked out of the test center feeling down. Hang in there, because the results are worth the continued effort and focus.
