<p>This should probably be a pinned post, but it's not, so:</p>
<p>When should I take the LSAT? I'm thinking either June or September but would like to know what the pros/cons of each are. In terms of scheduling, it would be nice to study for it over the summer, but that would mean i'd be getting ready for it while moving back into school and stuff. in terms of timeframe, I've heard it's more advantageous, though, to take it in June after Junior year so as to have all summer to decide where to apply.</p>
<p>Anyone's thoughts? I also have little direction as to where I should apply (esp as I havent taken LSAT yet) so here is a hypershortened resume of mine:</p>
<p>-Vanderbilt 2010, 3.65 GPA, English (creative writing) and Communication Studies.<br>
-involved in greek life, student council, on/off campus jobs, yadda yadda
-interned last summer doing door-to-door sales, will intern this summer in DC for NPR
-would like to attend a school in a big/medium city</p>
<p>I wouldn't worry too much about the September administration not giving you enough time to decide where to apply. Once you have your score, you'll have a very god idea of what schools would be good fits/reaches/safeties, so coming up with a decent list shouldn't take too long. </p>
<p>IMHO, the biggest advantage of taking the June exam is that it gives you an opportunity to retake if you don't get the score you want. Taking the September exam as a retake still gives you plenty of time to apply relatively early in the cycle. On the other hand, the September exam gives you more time to prepare. My original plan was to take the June 2007 exam, but decided I didn't have enough time to properly prepare for it amidst final exams spring semester. Instead, I studied the entire summer, and although it was tough to juggle studying with the beginning of senior year, it's not a problem if you stay disciplined.</p>
<p>Don't laugh..but..the biggest advantage of the June test date for some is that --unless things have changed--it's the only AFTERNOON LSAT. My kid is NOT a morning person and the idea of taking a test at 8:30 am wasn't pleasant. If you're still in college and the LSAT is given at your college, then it's unpleasant, but doable. If you live any substantial distance from the test center, making sure you are there before 8:30 am may mean getting up at the crack of dawn or before or even staying at a motel/hotel the night before.</p>
<p>The other advantage of the June test is that you can retake if necessary. I don't just mean if you think you get a lousy score. I also mean if you get sick, get stuck in traffic due to an accident, etc. </p>
<p>At a few schools, the late September/early October date can conflict with schoolwork. </p>
<p>If you do get a weak score, there's time to retake.</p>