So you’ve taken the September/October LSAT (or are planning to take it). Note: we’re saying “September” but what we at Blueprint Test Prep really mean is “September or October” since this LSAT administration falls in late September or early October of every year.

So with the issue of when you’re taking the LSAT decided, it’s probably a good idea to know how that fits into the law school admissions process. Fortunately, we at Blueprint Test Prep have the answer.

The short answer is that it fits well, like a spandex unitard on a professional wrestler or a perfectly tailored Ralph Lauren jacket on a Bob Costas. (We at Blueprint Test Prep like to use a variety of analogies to appeal to a large cross section of society).

The longer answer is that after careful research conducted at the Blueprint Test Prep headquarters by means of an abacus, a snake charmer, and a telephone call to LSAC, we think the September/October LSAT is a good test administration. This is partly due to the fact that you will get your score well in advance of application deadlines. Because law schools usually practice rolling admissions, in which seats are given away as applications arrive, we tell our Blueprint Test Prep students that it’s typically to their advantage to apply earlier in the process.

Because of this, we at Blueprint often recommend the September/October administration to our test prep students. However, it is important to keep in mind the additional aspects of law school applications. Although your scores will be back by late October, you don’t want to squander this advantage by waiting to get the rest of your application materials together. Getting your letters of recommendation in by December, for example, will nullify having your LSAT score as your application will not be read by the admissions committee until it is complete. It would be like getting to the airport two hours early but not checking in for your flight for an hour and a half because you were too busy buying a leopard-print neck pillow.

To that end, Blueprint Test Prep recommends that you get your letters in before you begin studying for the test. If you are in school, securing your letters before the end of the spring quarter or semester will mean you won’t have to wait until fall when professors are back in class to complete your application.

In addition, we at Blueprint Test Prep also recommend that you write your personal statement and other essays either before you study for the test or in the three weeks you have after taking the test but before receiving your score. If you wait until you receive your score to begin, you risk delaying your application for a month or more.

Article by Jodi Triplett and Trent Teti of Blueprint Test Prep.  Blueprint Test Prep unites the finest instructors with 
cutting-edge curriculum.  In addition to LSAT prep courses, Blueprint also offers law school admissions consulting 
and advice on unitard selection.  Our current favorite:  gold lamé.