Unbelievable

http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2006/06/aba_to_require_.html

Up until now, the policy of the American Bar Association was to require law schools to report LSAT medians, 25th percentiles, and 75th percentiles. The formula used was to have the average score of each applicant reported. Apparently, they have just changed that policy to require to have the highest score of each applicant reported.

Well then, why am I concerned? This changes the game. Now, someone with two scores of 160 and 170 on their record is equivalent to mine. The LSAT is going to become the SAT, where only the highest score is reported. I don't have an issue with this particular rule, but in my case it harms me. Had I known earlier, I would have retaken my LSAT. My preptest average was above 170 and the sole reason why I did not retake in June was because scoring anything less than 170 would prove to be catastrophic.

The game has changed, however, and June has passed. If I retake in September, not only will it drive me crazy, I will not be able to get my application in as early as I had hoped. My shrewed preparation in taking the test in Februrary will be rendered moot.

Now hold up a second, wannabe lawyer, you might say. Sure, the ABA says that they will have different requirements for law schools to report scores to them. But isn't the policy for admissions that they take the average score? Why would law schools change their policy because of the ABA?

Well folks, it's because the ABA data is used for purposes of U.S. News rankings. And we all know how important U.S. news rankings are to law schools.

This really messes with my game plan. I'm really concerned now. I was already insecure about my 170, now this makes my 170 even less impressive.