3.2 GPA, should I retake? 154->165->171 Forum

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All_bygodsgrace

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3.2 GPA, should I retake? 154->165->171

Post by All_bygodsgrace » Sat Aug 11, 2018 11:11 pm

154 (Feb 15 cold) -> 165 (June 18) -> 171 (July 18)

Hey, all. I’m pleasantly surprised about the 171 as I had basically resigned myself to taking September on the assumption that I had bombed July.

I’ve taken PTs 50-84 with a ~174 avg through the last 15. My section breakdowns are -2 per LR, -1 RC, -2 LG. I’ve been fool proofing LGs for more than half a year, and I’m unsure if I’ll ever be confident about that section, especially on test day (on June I went -5 even though that set was actually pretty easy).

I’m aiming for the lower T14 and medians are expected to rise at least 1 point. I will also be ED at UVA.

Should I retake for a 4th take? I’m concerned about what impact a lower score might have and also what advantages a 4th take at 173+ might have. I’d appreciate any advice.

LegalBiology

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Re: 3.2 GPA, should I retake? 154->165->171

Post by LegalBiology » Mon Aug 13, 2018 4:43 pm

All_bygodsgrace wrote:154 (Feb 15 cold) -> 165 (June 18) -> 171 (July 18)

Hey, all. I’m pleasantly surprised about the 171 as I had basically resigned myself to taking September on the assumption that I had bombed July.

I’ve taken PTs 50-84 with a ~174 avg through the last 15. My section breakdowns are -2 per LR, -1 RC, -2 LG. I’ve been fool proofing LGs for more than half a year, and I’m unsure if I’ll ever be confident about that section, especially on test day (on June I went -5 even though that set was actually pretty easy).

I’m aiming for the lower T14 and medians are expected to rise at least 1 point. I will also be ED at UVA.

Should I retake for a 4th take? I’m concerned about what impact a lower score might have and also what advantages a 4th take at 173+ might have. I’d appreciate any advice.
if i remember right, the 75th percentile for Cornell and GT is 168, and Duke/Northwestern is 170. 3.2 is below the 25th percentile at all those schools but that 171 may make up for it at Cornell/GT. do you have good letters of rec? work experience?

can anyone else give advice on chances at lower-T14?

I am in an almost identical situation as you, similar LSAT progression and GPA so I wish the best for both of us :D

QContinuum

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Re: 3.2 GPA, should I retake? 154->165->171

Post by QContinuum » Mon Aug 13, 2018 5:10 pm

Your 171 is already above the lower T14s' 75ths (Berkeley, Gtown, Cornell and Texas are at 168; Duke, Michigan, Northwestern and Virginia are at 170). W.r.t. the lower T14, I think you're in great shape as far as your LSAT goes - I don't really see, say, a 173 adding too much additional value.

Of course, a higher LSAT may increase your chances at the upper T14... but your GPA is also likely to be more of a drag there, even with a sky-high LSAT. So on balance, I would not advise retaking.

Apply early (not sure ED helps that much, honestly), apply to not just the lower T14 but also what I call the "Super Regionals" (Texas, UCLA, Vandy, WUSTL, USC) and best wishes!

LegalBiology

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Re: 3.2 GPA, should I retake? 154->165->171

Post by LegalBiology » Tue Aug 14, 2018 8:17 pm

All_bygodsgrace wrote:154 (Feb 15 cold) -> 165 (June 18) -> 171 (July 18)

Hey, all. I’m pleasantly surprised about the 171 as I had basically resigned myself to taking September on the assumption that I had bombed July.

I’ve taken PTs 50-84 with a ~174 avg through the last 15. My section breakdowns are -2 per LR, -1 RC, -2 LG. I’ve been fool proofing LGs for more than half a year, and I’m unsure if I’ll ever be confident about that section, especially on test day (on June I went -5 even though that set was actually pretty easy).

I’m aiming for the lower T14 and medians are expected to rise at least 1 point. I will also be ED at UVA.

Should I retake for a 4th take? I’m concerned about what impact a lower score might have and also what advantages a 4th take at 173+ might have. I’d appreciate any advice.
bump, curious myself

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