USC, UCLA,or Berkley

[bluebayou]

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I dont know the financial means of OP but as the son went to a top LAC, I presume either the family could qualify for need-based aids…

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<p>With the exception of HYS (which will require a much higher lsat – hmmm), law schools don’t provide need-based aid.</p>

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I do know several law students who have picked their schools based on the presence of specific faculty.

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<p>I’m sure that they did but that is a rather silly reason, IMO. What happens when that rock-star Prof is courted away to go start up a new LS? (See Dean Chemirinski, from Duke LS to Irvine Law.) Is the student then going to transfer to a non-ranked, provisionally-accredited school? What happens when that Prof is on sabbatical? :)</p>

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To be clear, are you suggesting that he go through the cycle, get whatever scholarships he gets, make his choice and still take the LSAT in June. Then if it looks like he is in a position to get more scholarships because of his LSAT score he should reapply and withdraw from the school he accepted or request that his admission be deferred? Once again, I was under the impression that schools will not look favorably on a reapplicant, particularly if he was previously accepted to the school and turned down the acceptance. This seems like the one caveat in this plan that could be a problem. Otherwise, it seems reasonable. In other words if he withdraws form Cal (see I’m learning) now, would they be less likely to accept him in the next cycle even with the improved LSAT?

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<p>Yes, that is exactly what I’m suggesting. (But only retake in June IFF his practice tests are averaging in the 170’s.) And yes, it might cost him an admission or two, and perhaps Cal, but he’d gain others, perhaps even including full tuition at some of the T14. Heck, Stanford would be in play, which it is not now. </p>

<p>With the massive downturn in law apps, schools cannot be too picky with high LSAT scores, since they want to hold their medians. High GPAs are much more common – there are 3k colleges, so 3k Vals and Sals… High GPAs AND high LSAT scores are rare, which is why they are amply rewarded with big bucks.</p>

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I also agree that if you can score a 168 you can also score a 170 but margin of error runs both ways.

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<p>That is why he ONLY retakes if he is comfortably scoring in the 170’s on practice tests. Even if he has a really bad day, and bombs the retake – say, 160 – Cal won’t care. He is still accepted.</p>

<p>btw: the LG is the easiest section in which to raise scores, so unless he missed 0 or -1, that will go up with practice, practice, practice.</p>