You can't have both the cake and eat it

I've always despised this saying. Perhaps because it is so true.

Lately, as the date for the December LSAT approaches, countless students have been asking and I've been responding:
"Should I take the test or postpone it until Feb?"

The LSAT score is weighed heavily during law school admissions. So if waiting until Feb. will significantly increase your score, then "YES!" postpone the test.

"But then I won't be able to apply to law school this year."

Then take the test on Dec. and apply this year, so that you can go to law school.

"But what if I don't get the score I want?"

So postpone the test and take it when you're ready.

"But I'm not getting any younger and that's one more year of not being a lawyer!"

As you can see, this conversation is very circular and frustrating. Fortunately, the new LSAT policy, which asks law schools to report only the applicants' highest LSAT scores, helps resolve this issue (albeit not completely because some law schools still average....a topic for another night).

Today, my point is that students caught in this dilemma (i.e. to postpone or not to postpone?) are often impatient. Most students actually decide to take the test. And most students end up regretting their decision. In the long run what is a few more months of study? If one is serious about being admitted to a top-law school, then one ought to buckle down and study a lil' more. Applying "later" with your peak LSAT score will get you further than applying "earlier" with your sub-standard score.

Having said this, I must address the other extreme of the spectrum: students who have been studying for this test way too long (i.e. 2-5 years!). Law school is law school. You've proven your commitment and passion for the law, so take the test and apply! If you're so serious and motivated about becoming a lawyer that you would study THAT much, then your determination alone will get you far. So instead of chasing that elusive "perfect" score, take the darn test and become the lawyer you dreamt of becoming once upon a time.

Sometimes we need to sacrifice one thing to gain another.