<p>I am currently a sophomore at a private school located in northeast Ohio. I have just about a 3.5 and am developing many good references and contacts. Last year, I went into a LSAT practice test as a freshman, didn't study, didn't know what was going to be on it, and scored a 152. Now, obviously, I was pretty upset because that's no where near my goal. However, after listening to some friends, I realized that I didn't study at all. So, I felt that scoring the average, as a freshman, with no preparation, was good. </p>
<p>I began my freshman year with a running start by taking as many major/minor classes that I could without having to have a prerequisite. Unlike my friends, I did NOT take 3 gym classes. </p>
<p>After doing some research lately, I've been really interested in trying to get into a school like Georgetown or Boston University. I want to be in the top 20 for sure. After seeing my current GPA, hopefully being able to determine my work ethic, do you think I'll be able to acquire the necessary LSAT score and GPA required to gain admission into one of my reach schools? Thank you everybody!</p>
<p>Scott: Unfortunately without a more accurate range of your eventual LSAT score, there’s no way of knowing. I’d take it over next summer (summer before your junior year) and give it a shot. Once that happens, we’ll have a better sense for what kind of schools you would be thinking about.</p>
<p>Ok thanks. Are you referring to the actual LSAT next summer or another practice test from Kaplan? I’ve already registered for another Kaplan event in October.</p>
<p>Chances are very hard to determine without an actual LSAT score. I’d aim to take that about 13 months from now, and I’d start studying about 11 months from now.</p>
<p>BDM: would you suggest taking a class and the LSAT the summer before your junior or senior year? I’d like to go into law school immediately after undergrad but I’m writing a senior thesis and I think it would give my app a boost. (Senior thesis is a major requirement for me, and I want to write one for reasons beyond just law school admissions.)</p>
<p>Next summer (summer before my junior year) I have to do a 6-week travel study (most likely in NY) for my major as well. Would it be a bad idea to do travel study (June-July) and study within that period and then afterwards for the September LSAT? Or would it be a better idea to study the summer before my junior year? I’m planning to apply to the PPIA fellowship program and hopefully I’ll be attending the Berkeley one ([PPIA</a> Fellowship Program](<a href=“http://www.ppiaprogram.org/]PPIA”>http://www.ppiaprogram.org/)). The PPIA program runs from mid-June to the end of July, so I would study during this time but hardcore study from August-September. </p>
<p>My SAT score was low, so I think I do need to study extensively for the LSAT. I’m debating when to take it and I feel like I should thoroughly examine my choices but make a decision sometime soon and then plan around my test date.</p>
<p>LSAT timing really isn’t that important. I recommend a summer so you can focus on it (while working a job, of course). I’d recommend a course if you’re worried about it, but I don’t know anything about which courses to recommend. Summer before junior year or summer before senior year are both fine times. I figured I’d recommend junior year to the OP because he seemed like he was in a hurry.</p>