If the law school I want to attend has a 75th percentile LSAT score for admitted students of 168, does that mean I have to get at least a 168 to get in?

Answer 1

Brad's response is actually incorrect.

Brad said 75 percent of the class got a 168 and what it actually means is the top 25% of their incoming class got a 168 or higher.

Percentiles work like this:

Top

75th - 168

50th - say a 166

25th - say a 163

bottom

It's kind of like it's broken into quadrants.

25% scored a 163 or below.

25% scored 163-166

25% scored 166-168

25% scored 168 or above.

So for a school with a 168 at their 75th, but 163 at their 25th, that means 25% of their students scored at or below a 163 and still attended. Now that LSAT may be offset with a 4.0 GPA for instance (that would be well above the GPA 75th percentile).

Additionally, if you are lower in the percentiles it means it'll be less likely a done deal to get accepted and you may get less money for scholarships (or even pay full price... not a good idea).

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

No, you do not have to get a 168 to get into this law school. 75% of that law school's class got a 168 or higher. However, you could make up for a lower LSAT score with an exceptional GPA. If you score a 160 for instance, there is still hope! If your numbers are within the 25th percentile, it is worth it to apply. You never know what may happen!