Don’t Worry About Yield Protection

In this episode of LSAT Demon Daily, Nathan and Erik addressed a question from Jordan, who recently scored a 170 on the LSAT and was considering retaking the test. Jordan wanted to apply to law schools where he could receive at least a 50% scholarship and was concerned that a higher score might affect his admissions chances due to yield protection.

This article discusses everything you should know about yield protection when applying to law school, including what it is, when it might affect you, and other considerations to make. 

What Is Yield Protection and Who Does it Apply To?

Yield protection occurs when a school wants to admit a candidate but holds back on their acceptance due to concerns that the candidate may decline the offer. Schools aim to maintain a certain yield—the percentage of admitted students who actually enroll—because high yields help schools move up in the rankings. 

Yield protection happens, but it’s not super common. The majority of schools will still admit a significant percentage of applicants with strong LSAT scores. Your focus should be on how to position yourself favorably in the admissions process rather than worrying excessively about yield protection.

Should You Retake the LSAT?

Let’s say, like Jordan, your average practice test score is around 5 points higher than your previous test score. This suggests that retaking the LSAT could improve your chances, and you should go ahead with the retake, since a higher score will only strengthen your application. 

While Jordan’s GPA of 2.81 may place him below the median for many schools, a solid LSAT score can help balance that out.

It’s possible that you may receive a waitlist decision from a school despite having strong credentials. In this case, it’s worth following up—a method that earned our podcast host, Erik, a significant scholarship offer. This demonstrates that taking a proactive approach can give you positive results, even in the face of potential yield protection.

Yield protection only happens to applicants the school would otherwise admit. So if you get waitlisted due to yield protection at a school, it just means the school thinks you’re going to get into even better schools. Increasing your LSAT score makes that even more likely. 

Law Schools Focus on Median Scores

Law schools are primarily concerned with median LSAT scores rather than the 75th percentile. So, don’t overlook schools where you could be competitive, even if your GPA is below the median. 

The best approach is to apply broadly to a wide range of schools, especially those where your LSAT is above the median, regardless of your GPA. This could open doors to schools that may overlook GPA concerns in light of strong LSAT performance.

Consider All Your Options

You should also consider applying to prestigious schools, even if they may not offer scholarships based on your current stats. Applying to institutions like Harvard or NYU could be beneficial, as getting into these schools can provide a valuable bargaining chip against lower-ranked schools that admit you but don’t offer a generous enough scholarship.

Takeaway

The key takeaway for Jordan and anyone in a similar situation is to not overthink yield protection. Instead, focus on getting the best LSAT score possible, applying broadly to various schools, and remaining proactive throughout the admissions process. 

Retaking the LSAT, targeting schools with favorable admissions criteria, and following up with institutions can all boost your chances of success.