A Look at LSAT Statistics and Advice for Applicants
In most cases, a high score on LSAT is the ticket to law school. LSAT statistics in a top law school would show that not all applicants with a GPA of 3.5 or better are admitted but all applicants with an LSAT score of 168 to 180 will be accepted. In addition, the same LSAT statistics also indicate that only 4 percent of those admitted had an LSAT score lower than 147 but these same people had a 3.5 GPA. These LSAT statistics clearly demonstrate the significance of the LSAT to being accepted to law school.
Another look at LSAT statistics nationally would reveal that 60 percent of all applicants would be admitted at one or several law schools and the remaining 40 percent would not be able to attend law school because not one will admit them. Additionally, LSAT statistics indicate that students from public colleges and universities are usually beaten by students who attend elite schools like Yale and Harvard, where up to 90 percent of their law school applicants get accepted.
Therefore, what does someone who cannot afford to go to privileged learning institutions do to improve the chances of being admitted to law school? The most important advice that professors give is to take the LSAT seriously because getting a high grade point average in your undergraduate studies is simply not enough to get you to law school.
Law schools do not put much weight on the GPA because of the differences among school programs, which will make it difficult to tell whether someone with a 4.0 GPA indeed have excellent academic skills or that the program he completed was just not that difficult. Law schools do not also look at the admissions essay much because school consultants usually help students write these essays. That is why the LSAT essay is important in this regard because if the admission staff would want to look at the writing ability of a student, the LSAT essay would be the reliable reference for evaluation.
Planning ahead will help you prepare for LSAT. For instance, if you are just about to choose a major, consider taking English, Philosophy, History or Political Science. Choose the subjects and professors that would create the opportunity for you to develop your reasoning and analytical abilities. If you cannot afford tuition in an elite school, you may want to invest in your LSAT preparation instead. Some options to consider when preparing for the LSAT include live LSAT prep classes, online courses, LSAT book and other prep materials.
Devote as much time as possible to studying and practicing for LSAT. The method of study you choose will depend on whether you learn best on your own or with the help of a coach. Lastly, keep in mind that your LSAT scores will be averaged if you retake the test so doing so may not be such a good idea. Save yourself the time, money and effort by acing the test the first time.
