Let’s get this out of the way: There is no universal “good LSAT score.” A great score on the LSAT test is one that will gain you admissions into the law school program that you aspire to. Sure, there are close to perfect 175+ scores but does that goal best fit your situation? There isn’t a one size fits all answer. There are many factors to consider from your starting point, available time, career, law school aspirations and how much energy and resources you are willing to invest in your LSAT prep.
First of all, it is important to understand from the beginning that you are NOT your LSAT score. Yes, the LSAT score has a significant weight in your law school application, however, it is not the sole aspect of your application that defines your candidacy. Your motivational letter, interview, undergraduate GPA, and experience are what will complement your strong LSAT score in the rigorous selection process.
Aiming high is admirable. To accomplish your goals, especially such ambitious ones you need to do your research and come up with an action plan.
What Determines A Good LSAT Score for You?
There are four factors that define a good LSAT score for you.
- the average score of the last incoming class in the law school of your choice
- the profile of last year’s class in the law school you are applying for
- the LSAT score that is required for a scholarship at the law school of choice
- the estimated ROI on your desired LSAT score
The average score of the last incoming class in the law school of your choice
The average score of the previous incoming class in the law program you have chosen is a great estimate for the result you should be targeting. It would be in your advantage to set a goal of 3+ to that average. For instance, if admission to the University of Chicago’s law program is what you aim for and the average LSAT score for the Class of 2020 is 171, then it would be good to aim for a total score of around 174.
To get an idea of what the LSAT scores for 2020’s admitted students are, here is a table of the top law schools in the US.
The profile of last year’s class in the law school you are applying for
Essentially, what we mean by that is what types of people dominate the distribution of candidates’ backgrounds. This metric will help you evaluate how much your profile differentiates from the other applicants in the respective law school’s candidate pool. This is of importance because any business school strives for building a diverse class. For example, if you are a risk manager at a Mexican bank and the majority of the students at the law school of your choice are software engineers from the States, you would have low competition in the overall candidate pool. So, you could afford an LSAT score closer to the average score of the last incoming class.
On the other hand, if you are a software engineer applying to that same law school program, the competition you would be facing would be tougher. In such a case aiming for that 3+ from the average would make more sense. Such high LSAT scores might seem overwhelming or might look like an insurmountable challenge, however, they are achievable. With the proper guidance and personalized attention, which we at ApexLSAT specialize in, you needn’t worry that you dream too big.
The LSAT score that is required for a scholarship
Someone with a 166+ LSAT is much more likely to get financial aid than someone with a 160. So as a general rule of thumb, aiming 3+ higher than the average of the last incoming class will increase your chances of admission. Additionally, it will increase your eligibility for financial support, which is an opportunity one shouldn’t neglect.
Estimated ROI on the LSAT score
Besides time and effort, an LSAT test-taker invests a good amount of funds into LSAT prep and in fees around taking the test. So it is good to be aware of whether the score you are aiming for will provide you with the desired return on investment. The difference between a 165 LSAT score and a 170+ is also the difference between the top 30 law school programs and the top 10 law school programs. For example, the median base salary of law school graduates from Harvard Law School is $160,000, whereas for Washburn University it is around $60,000. What is more, aiming for a high LSAT result can increase your chances of being eligible for financial support. The top score is likely to attract the right amount of scholarships, which will, in turn, reduce your law school cost and have a positive impact on the ROI.
All in all, there is no universal LSAT score. The key to a successful LSAT journey is the personalized approach to the whole experience. Set a goal, do your research, and get on to executing the plan. Here at Apex LSAT, our experienced tutors can provide you with the proper mentorship to facilitate the process. Schedule a call and set yourself for success.
Contributor: Dana Coggio