Skip to main content

3 Steps to Take if LSAT Accommodations Are Denied

By U.S. News & World Report

Prospective law school applicants with learning disabilities or attention disorders may be eligible to receive testing accommodations for the LSAT. Accommodations range from use of earplugs to private testing rooms to extended time and more.

The Law School Admission Council details on its website how to initiate requests for testing accommodations. Make sure to register for the exam before initiating your request. LSAC should notify you of its decision within 14 business days. Submit the required documentation well ahead of the test date in the event your request is denied.

[Discover four things to know about accommodated LSAT testing.]

If your accommodation request is denied, here are three steps to take to make the best case for your appeal.

1. Review the decision letter: LSAC will not simply deny all or part of your accommodation request without reason. Review its decision letter carefully. What explanations did LSAC offer as to why it cannot accommodate your request in full? Can you address those concerns?

Requests may be denied because you failed to provide the required documentation to establish evidence of your disability. On its website, LSAC lists the common reasons for deeming documentation insufficient.

For mental or cognitive disabilities, your documentation must be current — not more than five years old — and must be from a qualified professional. Records of testing accommodations tend to be the most persuasive. A documented diagnosis itself may be insufficient.

For example, I worked with a client whose LSAT accommodation request was denied. Although he had a formal diagnosis from a medical professional that stated he was eligible to receive extended time, he had not needed to make use of those accommodations as an undergraduate. Most of his grades were based on research and writing, not multiple-choice timed tests.

Moreover, he had not received accommodations on the SAT. Based on his grades and his demonstrated aptitude on the SAT, LSAC denied his request for extended time on the LSAT.

Note that if there is a problem with your documentation, LSAC will not notify you directly. It is your responsibility to reach out to the qualified professional to rectify any deficiencies.

[Learn how to navigate learning disabilities in law school.]

2. Notify LSAC of intent to appeal and follow through: To appeal an accommodation request denial, you must notify LSAC of your intent to appeal within 24 hours of receiving the decision in your online account.

You then have only four calendar days to submit your appeal. That is not a lot of time to address any evidentiary issues, particularly if you did your best to comply with the requirements when making your initial request.

Be aware of deadlines. You must submit your appeal and new documentation at least 12 calendar days before the scheduled exam you intend to take. Once you have submitted your appeal, LSAC will notify you of its final decision within one week.

In your appeal, it is important to specifically address the reasons LSAC has articulated in the decision letter. Be prepared to have your appeal denied again unless you provide additional documentation of new substantive information.

[Get insight into how law schools view LSAT scores.]

3. Consider postponing exam: If your request for appeal is denied, consider postponing the exam. If you prepared under the assumption that you would receive additional time, attempting to sit for the LSAT without accommodations could be disastrous to your score.

Postponing may allow you to secure the required documentation necessary to make a subsequent accommodation request.

Alternatively, if your ineligibility for the requested accommodation is unlikely to change, postponing will give you time to adjust your study techniques. I advise my clients to take real practice tests under the time they will be allotted on exam day to simulate testing conditions as accurately as possible.

With adequate preparation, you can hopefully mitigate the disadvantages of not receiving your requested accommodation. While you may not be able to achieve the same score as if your request was granted, remember that the LSAT is only one component of your overall law school application. Concentrate your efforts on doing your best and potentially include an LSAT addendum to explain why your score is not fully representative of your abilities to excel in law school.

Have questions about LSAT accommodations? You can reach me at lawadmissionslowdown@usnews.com.

More from U.S. News

3 Ways the LSAT Prepares Students for Law School

Maximize Summer Courses for Law School Recommendations

3 Answers About Law School Applications for June LSAT Test-Takers

3 Steps to Take if LSAT Accommodations Are Denied originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote