Skip to main content

Law School Reapplication, LSAT Target Score Strategies

By U.S. News & World Report

Welcome to the latest installment of Law Admissions Q&A, a monthly feature that provides law school admissions advice to readers who send in questions and admissions profiles.

If you have a question, email us for a chance to be featured next month.

This week, I will discuss how to reapply and goals for taking the LSAT to compensate for a less competitive undergraduate performance.

I am reapplying to law school. Last year, I submitted my applications just in time to make the deadlines and was wait-listed at George Washington University, which is my top choice. I got into a few other programs but had a change of heart and decided not to enroll.

A couple questions: Will my applications be regarded negatively if I submit again? What should I do this time around to improve my chances of being admitted? -Reapplying

Dear Reapplying:

It is not unusual for applicants to reapply. That said, schools where you were accepted may regard your application warily the second time around and wonder why you did not accept their initial offer.

If you reapply to these programs, establish that you are committed to pursuing a law career and will seriously consider an offer to enroll. Incorporate school-specific research to explain why you are interested in their program — this could allay concerns.

[Find smart ways to reapply and get involved in law school.]

In general, schools where you were not admitted or where you were wait-listed will evaluate your application with the same consideration as before. You can improve your chances in four ways: improve your LSAT score, apply early, update your letters of recommendation and rewrite your application essays.

The LSAT is a significant component of your applications. Assuming that your undergraduate GPA is fixed at this point, improving your LSAT score will give admissions committees fresh criteria to evaluate.

Next, if you aren’t planning to retake the LSAT, then try to submit your applications this fall. A school like George Washington University has a rolling admissions process and begins to make decisions starting in November. The earlier you can submit in the cycle, the more spaces are available.

If you applied last cycle, many law schools will still have your application materials on file, including your letters of recommendation. Most likely you already asked for recommendations from individuals you felt would write the strongest endorsements.

However, you may want to provide a new letter to supplement those on file. Add an academic letter of recommendation or one that addresses experiences you’ve gained since you last applied.

George Washington requires at least one letter but will accept up to three. Check with each school’s admissions committee to ask whether your letters from last cycle are still available and, if so, how many new letters you can submit when you reapply.

Finally, remember that admissions committees have already read the personal statement and any supplemental essays you submitted last year. While those essays got you into some programs, they didn’t get you into your top-choice school.

Take the written portions of your application seriously. Develop strong essays that focus on what you’ve accomplished since you last applied. Make a case for why you are more prepared than ever to excel in law school.

[Know whether retaking the LSAT and updating an application are necessary.]

I plan to take the LSAT this December and I have a GPA of 3.1 from Cornell University. What score do I need to make on the LSAT to have a chance of getting into the top 20 list of law schools? –Chances

Dear Chances:

Law schools keep their criteria for evaluating undergraduate GPA and LSAT scores close to the chest. They don’t want applicants to be discouraged from applying because of weak numbers.

Here’s a way to think about your target LSAT score. If your undergraduate GPA is below the 25th percentile of applicants admitted to a specific school the prior cycle, then you will want your LSAT to be above the 75th percentile. That way, you become a splitter — an applicant with an LSAT score and GPA that split between low and high marks — with the potential to sway results in your favor.

[Learn to manage a split in GPA, LSAT scores as a law school applicant.]

At a top-ranked school like Washington University in St. Louis, a 3.15 undergraduate GPA was the 25th percentile of admitted applicants in fall 2016. A 169 was the 75th percentile of LSAT scores. That means you’d want to shoot for a 169 or higher.

However, at most of the top 20 law schools, your undergraduate GPA falls well below the 25th percentile. I have seen applicants with GPAs below the 25th percentile get into top 20 programs, but those candidates had exceptional accomplishments to compensate.

If both your numbers are below the 25th percentile, that doesn’t mean you are out of the running — but you will be facing an uphill battle.

Regardless, the rest of your application materials need to be as compelling as possible. Do not rely on a strong LSAT performance to get you in the door.

More from U.S. News

Revise Law School Personal Statements Before Applying

Master Law School Admissions as a Second-Career Applicant

Explain Reasons for Applying to Specialized Law Programs

Law School Reapplication, LSAT Target Score Strategies 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

Imprisoned Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi is in worsening health, husband says

Deaths in Iran’s crackdown on protests reach more than 7,000, activists say

Trump’s EPA revokes scientific finding that underpinned US fight against climate change