AboutSally A. Kane Expertise As a recent law school graduate who excelled in law school, I can answer questions regarding the law school experience including preparing for and applying to law school, excelling in law school, law review, legal writing tips, the law school curriculum, exam success, financing law school, balancing work and school, clerkships and externships, job interviewing and more. I do not answer homework questions.
Experience I have thirteen years’ experience in the legal field, ten as a litigation paralegal and three as a corporate attorney. During law school, I juggled many priorities including a full time job, law school and a newborn baby. In law school I served as a law review editor, wrote for student publications and completed two externships, one with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and one with the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Publications I have published law and career related articles in a variety of publications including Legal Assistant Today, The Legal Intelligencer, Juris and The Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting.
Education/Credentials I possess a B.A. in Writing from Edinboro University, a Paralegal Certificate from Duquesne University and a J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law.
Question I did very poorly on my SATs, I got around 1050. I have a degree in Marketing and a minor in finance from Oklahoma State University with a GPA of 3.68. I want to go to Law school but I don't think that I can get better then 155-160 mark on the LSATs (with two months of studying left I am getting 148 if I time each section and a 166-172 un-timed) so I think that there is room for improvement. I have a learning disability so I was considering getting extra time but I am told that Law Schools look down on that. Will I be able to get into a top tier with my low LSAT score? Am I better off with extra time and getting a higher score but having the test viewed differently?
Answer Andrew,
I don’t know firsthand how law schools view accommodated test scores. However, the point of the application process is to demonstrate – through grades, LSAT score and other factors – that you are capable of excelling in law school. Admissions committees may view an accommodation on the LSAT as a sign that a student may require accommodation for law school exams, which are equally rigorous, and may encounter difficulty in the working world where lawyers must analyze information, deliver advice and create work product within short, high pressure time frames.
Moreover, an accommodated LSAT usually allows extra time for the test taker - either time-and-a-half or double time – but the test will still be timed. You mention that you are achieving the 166-172 under untimed conditions.
Since you still have months left to study, you may be better off aiming for the 160 (or higher) on a timed test. With your grades and an LSAT score of 160 or higher you may have a shot at a top tier school.
