When I made the decision to go to law school I was 21 years old.
I did not quite understand the importance of the Law School Admission Test (“LSAT”) score that when I took the exam I received an extremely low LSAT score.
It was awful. I took the LSAT a total of three times and the highest score I ever received was a 142.
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So what happened?
Well, the first time I took the LSAT I did not study. My philosophy was because I had never failed a standardized test then I would be fine.
I scored a 130 on my first LSAT. Quickly I realized that the LSAT was not like your normal standardized test. The second time around I decided to actually study.
I ordered the following two books to help me study for the LSAT:
- 10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests Volume V: PrepTests 62 through 71 (Lsat Series)
- The PowerScore LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible
My score jumped 10 points on my second try and this when the panic official started to set in.
Every individual I spoke to and all the internet articles I read literally said that I could not get into any law school with a score of 140.
So I took the LSAT for the third time and my score only went up two points.
Fast forward to three years, I graduated law school with a 3.3 G.P.A. (.3 shy of honors) and passed the bar exam on my first try.
In this post, I am going to share with you why your LSAT score does not determine your legal career.
WHAT TO DO WITH A LOW LSAT SCORE
Ignore the What Folks Say
If I would have listened to what folks said my scored needed to be to even think about getting into law school. I probably would be in the Air Force right now. (No shade to the arm forces)
Or, in some line of work I absolutely hate.
I believe if going to law school is what you truly want to do, then you will find a way to do it even when the odds are stack against you.
Rethink School Choice
One of the biggest misconceptions about the LSAT is that if you score low you cannot get into any law school.
The fact is that is just not the case, while you may not have the score to get into the law school of your choice. There is still a law school out there for you.
You may have to attend law school in another state, but that does not mean you are required to practice in that state.
A low LSAT score does not mean you cannot get into a law school.
“Certain schools would never have admitted a student with a 145 LSAT score several years ago,” said SULC’s chancellor, John K. Pierre. “But this year they did and last year they did, and in some cases, they are even offering students with those profile scholarships or tuition reductions.” – www.insidehighered.com
When I first decided to go to law school.
I was one of those individuals who wanted to go to a top law school. But after doing research I just was not sure that I wanted to shed out the amount of money it would cost to go to one of those top-tier schools.
Especially, when all roads lead to the same bar exam. I decided to start looking in tier 2 and tier 3 schools.
By narrowing my choices to tier 2 and tier 3 schools it allowed me to get into law school with a low LSAT score.
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Undergrad G.P.A is Important
Getting a good LSAT score means you have more opportunities when it comes to your school choices. But if you are like me and did not receive a high LSAT score.
What does your undergraduate GPA look like?
Law school admissions typically look at both your LSAT score and your undergraduate GPA when choosing its candidates.
For me, I had an undergraduate G.P.A. of a 3.4.
TAKE TIME OFF
So you got a low LSAT score, but you are determined to get into a top-tier law school? Then I suggest you take time off.
You be surprised to know that the average age of law school students is 26 and 27 years of age.
What does that mean? That most students are not going to law school straight out of undergraduate school.
Most have worked a few years in the workforce and others decided to get a master degree first.
Take time off. Use the time to study.
Get the score that you want. Law school will always be there.
If you dream is to attend a certain law school then take time off so that you can study and get the score you need.
Take an LSAT Prep Course
One of my biggest regrets is not taking an LSAT prep course.
Granted I did not even know they existed. I also did not do my due diligence and research on how to study for the LSAT.
Don’t’ be like me.
I am positive that if I asked my parents for money for the course they would have paid. So honestly, I had no excuse and it forced to work with what I got.
But if I could do things differently I would have taken a prep course. You can check out this article on what to look for when trying to choose the best LSAT prep course.
WHEN YOU FIND THE SCHOOL THAT TAKES A LOW LSAT SCORE
Does Not Determine Law School Career
Some folks say the LSAT and the law school correlate with each other.
Personally, I did not see it. The analytical thinking required for the LSAT was a lot harder than the analytical thinking required during law school.
On top of that, once you get into law school no one cares what your LSAT score was. I do not think I ever had a conversation in law school about LSAT scores. (ok maybe once or twice).
If your LSAT score was an accurate indication of how you would do in law school I would have flunked out the first year.
The Bar Exam is More Important
Remember when I said all roads lead to the same test.
That test is the state bar exam you choose to practice law in. At the end of the day, it is the only important test you will take.
If you want to be a licensed attorney than you must pass a state bar exam. There are absolutely no correlations between the LSAT and the state bar exam I took. (You can fight me on that. lol)
Moreover, I know people who scored super high on the LSAT but still did not pass the bar exam.
Additionally, I know people who went to top law school and still did not pass the bar exam.
All roads lead to the same test.
Now, this post is not to encourage you to settle with a low LSAT score.
But to let you know it will be ok if you did score low. So if you recently took the LSAT or about too.
I want you to know that a low LSAT score does not mean an end of a dream. If anything it’s the beginning of a new one.
Thank you so much!!! I have almost the same undergraduate gpa as you and a LSAT score around the same as yours (145-150). I only ever hit 150 once and haven’t ever since. I had to repeat my test prep a SECOND time for a second year because I chickened out from taking the LSAT the first time. I am planning to take it this September 8th and I am so scared beyond life itself. I don’t want to get a 145 or even lower. My gpa is a 3.3 and I can’t afford to lose more points. Although I can’t go to school in another state, I am hoping and praying I get one near me. I have found only 2 that are possible for me to get in despite my scores and I am still scared. But thank you for giving me hope to not give up! Although I only have 12 days left till the exam date, I’ll keep studying till the very last day
Best of luck. I’m sure you did great
I just want to say thank you for this post. I’ve started law school 3 weeks ago. I have to admit, there has been some doubt. I go to class everyday. I know my material and I’m pretty much ready to discuss, yet there’s this doubt in me. I’ve been an individual withconfidence all my life until about now. Sometimes I wonder if the law school picked me because they believed in me or just statistics (black male admitted). It’s refreshing to see this post because I needed to be inspired. A low lsat score does not determine your law school experience, right? If you have any more advice to give, I am definitely eager to hear it.
I’m glad this post helped you.
Thank you so much for this post! I’ve been desperately trying to get clear, honest stories of others’ experiences and this is the first time I feel like I’ve found it! I’m hopeful that my work experience and GPA will help me to succeed with law school applications given the low score I received (I dropped points from my practice test that I did with a prep course, so my feelings there are mixed), but I feel like reevaluating my priorities–particularly cost, which you mention–is something I am just getting a handle on. I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
No problem. Yes, the cost of law school really well have you rethinking your game plan.
I got a 145 lsat score and had an undergraduate gpa of 2.98 according to the LSAC website
only took the lsat once and got into an accredited ABA law school in California. Shoot your shot.
Amen! With law school enrollment down, a bunch of schools are letting people they would not normally let in.
I sure want to thank you. I’m 47 and while I just finished my masters I’m taking the LSAT Sat. I had no delusion as to getting into Harvard, but I made a pretty big move to attend one school specifically. They are a tier 3 and so I hope I score well enough with a 3.8 GPA. Thank you this post helped a lot.
I am positive you will get into the school you want. Best of Luck.
Love this article. Took the LSAT right after college, scored a 142 ( I think… can’t remember because my score is no longer available). After an 8 year hiatus, I’ve decided to give it another go.Hoping to do better this time. Wish I would have seen this type of post years ago. I may not have given up my dream for so long. Great article!