Taking LSAT in January

[Darthvader]

I know that we can take the LSAT in January for almost every law school, but is there any disadvantage from taking it that late? Specifically targeting Osgoode/Western/Queens

[Renerik]

Taking the January LSAT is disadvantageous. Your score will be released in early February. If you look at the osgoode/western/queens accepted threads, by the end of January, around half of acceptances have already been sent out so you're competing for fewer remaining spots. Have you considered what you would do if you score below what you were expecting? You'd have no room to retake the LSAT if you're applying this coming cycle. 

All that said, many people get in with a January LSAT.

Edited August 9, 2021 by Renerik

[luckycharm]

9 hours ago, Renerik said:

Taking the January LSAT is disadvantageous. Your score will be released in early February. If you look at the osgoode/western/queens accepted threads, by the end of January, around half of acceptances have already been sent out so you're competing for fewer remaining spots. Have you considered what you would do if you score below what you were expecting? You'd have no room to retake the LSAT if you're applying this coming cycle. 

All that said, many people get in with a January LSAT.

By Feb, most law schools would have sent out more offers than their number of spots available.

I don't see why that is not a disadvantage.

[TheHungJuror]

14 minutes ago, luckycharm said:

By Feb, most law schools would have sent out more offers than their number of spots available.

I don't see why that is not a disadvantage.

Doubling down on this, the U of C said this year that if you wrote the January LSAT, you may not have been offered a position for that reason. If you can, just write the earlier LSAT, it'll save you a headache at worst and a heartache at best. 

[erin otoole]

Its not worth the stress to have one and only one shot at the LSAT regardless of a disadvantage or not. On test day nerves can get the best of you and you will be SOL waiting an entire year for admission. Try to take the earliest one you can, and remain signed up for January in the worst case scenario.