So you just got your LSAT score back: 155. Bad? Is it good? Now you're staring at the number, wondering what it actually means for your law school dreams. Good enough?
Here's the short version: 155 is above average — it's roughly the 53rd to 56th percentile, depending on the test administration. Still, that means you scored higher than roughly half of everyone who took the test. But whether it's "good" for you depends entirely on what schools you're targeting and the rest of your application. Let me break it down.
What Does a 155 Actually Mean?
First, some context. Worth adding: the LSAT is scored on a scale from 120 to 180. The median score hovers around 152-153, which means a 155 puts you slightly above the middle of the pack. You're not in the 170+ club where schools practically beg you to apply, but you're also not in the danger zone where your options start disappearing That alone is useful..
Let me be more specific. But in recent years, a 155 has typically landed around the 53rd-56th percentile. But that means if you walked into a room with 100 test-takers, you'd beat about 53 to 56 of them. Also, not bad, right? But it also means 44 to 47 people beat you Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
Here's another way to think about it: the average score at many solid regional law schools sits right around 155. So you're competitive for those programs out of the gate, which is more than you can say for scores in the 140s.
How 155 Compares to Other Score Ranges
It helps to understand where 155 sits in the broader landscape. The score bands break down roughly like this:
- 180-175: Top 1% — these scores open doors to Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and serious scholarship negotiations at T14 schools
- 174-170: Top 2-10% — highly competitive for T14 and strong scholarship apply at T20
- 169-165: Top 10-25% — competitive at T20-T30, solid at T14 with strong other credentials
- 164-160: Top 25-40% — good range for T30-T50, competitive with scholarship money at schools in this band
- 159-155: Top 40-55% — your target schools are likely T50-T100, with scholarship considerations depending on the rest of your application
- Below 155: Below median at most schools — options narrow significantly
See where you land? 155 puts you in that middle-ground territory. You have real options, but you're not walking into Harvard It's one of those things that adds up..
Why It Matters (And Why It Might Not)
Here's the thing most people don't realize early enough: your LSAT score is the single biggest factor in admissions decisions. Not your GPA, not your personal statement, not your recommendations. This leads to the LSAT. Schools use it because it's the most reliable predictor of first-year law school performance, and it's the only metric they can compare across every applicant That's the part that actually makes a difference..
This is the bit that actually matters in practice.
That means a 155 fundamentally shapes what schools will look at your application. At schools where the median is 168, you're below median. At schools where the median is 152, you're above median. Context is everything.
What a 155 Gets You
With a 155, you're looking at realistic admissions to schools in the T50-T100 range, depending on your GPA and other factors. Let me give you some real numbers.
Schools like George Washington, Boston University, and Notre Dame typically have medians in the 166-169 range — you're below median there, which makes it an uphill climb. But schools like American University (median around 163), Wake Forest (around 164), or University of Iowa (around 163) are still reach schools but not impossible, especially with a strong GPA.
Where you start getting comfortable is at schools with medians in the 152-158 range. We're talking places like University of Kansas, University of Nebraska, University of Tennessee, Florida State, Emory (around 161), and similar schools. Your chances of admission are solid, and with a strong GPA, you might even get scholarship money Worth keeping that in mind..
The Splitter Reality
One more thing worth knowing: if your GPA is below the median at your target schools, you're a "splitter" — high LSAT, low GPA. If your GPA is above median, you're a "reverse splitter" — lower LSAT, higher GPA. Both strategies can work, but they play out differently.
Reverse splitters (which is what you'd be at schools where 155 is above median) actually have some advantages. Your 155 might be below their median, but your transcript says you can do the work. Practically speaking, schools like above-median GPAs because it signals you can handle the academic workload. That's a compelling story.
Splitters face a trickier road because the LSAT predicts law school performance more reliably than GPA, so schools worry about the low GPA more.
How to Think About Your 155 Strategically
Now here's where it gets practical. You have three main paths:
Retake the LSAT. This is worth considering if you believe you can do better. The difference between a 155 and a 160 — just five points — is massive in admissions terms. A 160 gets you into a different tier of schools. A 165 changes everything. If you scored 155 on your first or second try and you have test-taking ability you're not fully tapping, a retake might be the move.
But — and this matters — only retake if you're confident you can improve. There's no shame in a 155, and applying with a solid score is better than endless retakes that don't move the needle Not complicated — just consistent..
Apply strategically with your 155. This is the path most people should take. Research schools where your 155 is at or above median. Build the rest of your application as strong as possible. Apply broadly within your target range. This is a completely valid path to a great legal education That alone is useful..
Consider your timeline. If you're applying for the upcoming cycle and your 155 is your only score, you have a decision to make. If you have time to retake and improve, that's often worth exploring. If you're already a senior or have other constraints, applying with a 155 is far from the end of the world.
Common Mistakes People Make With a 155
Here's what I see people getting wrong:
Mistake #1: Thinking it's not good enough. Some people see 155 and feel like they've failed. They haven't. It's a solid score that puts you in contention at real schools. The despair is premature.
Mistake #2: Applying only to reach schools. If you're only applying to schools where the median is 168, you're wasting application money. Target schools where your score is competitive, then add a few reaches and a few safeties. That's just basic strategy.
Mistake #3: Ignoring the GPA factor. Your LSAT score doesn't exist in a vacuum. A 155 with a 3.8 GPA is a very different applicant than a 155 with a 3.0 GPA. The latter needs to be more strategic about school selection; the former has real make use of Not complicated — just consistent. Practical, not theoretical..
Mistake #4: Not considering retake potential seriously enough. On the flip side, some people accept their 155 without seriously asking whether they could do better. If you have time and you think you left points on the table, at least explore a retake seriously.
What Actually Works
If you're sitting at a 155 and wondering what's next, here's what I'd actually do:
1. Calculate your GPA medians. Look up the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile LSAT and GPA numbers for every school you're considering. Where do you fall? That's your starting point for realistic chances Most people skip this — try not to..
2. Build a balanced list. Aim for schools where you're at or above the 25th percentile for LSAT as your targets. Add a few above-median reaches (because you never know), and include safety schools where you're well above median Worth knowing..
3. Invest in your application. Your personal statement, recommendations, and any addendals matter more when you're not relying on your LSAT to carry you. Make them shine Easy to understand, harder to ignore. That's the whole idea..
4. Think about scholarships. At schools where you're above median, you have use. Don't just think about admission — think about money. A 155 with a strong GPA at a school with a 152 median is a scholarship candidate.
5. Consider one more try. If you're not applying until next cycle and you have time to study, take a practice test or two. See if there's easy improvement. Five points could change your entire application trajectory.
FAQ
Can I get into a good law school with a 155?
Yes. "Good" is subjective, but a 155 will get you into reputable law schools with strong employment outcomes. Still, you're looking at schools in the T50-T100 range with solid placement records. It's not Harvard, but it's far from a bad outcome Nothing fancy..
Should I retake a 155?
It depends. And if you have time, think you can improve, and the difference between a 155 and a 160+ would change your school list significantly, then yes, consider a retake. If you're applying this cycle and a 155 is your score, apply strategically and see what happens.
What schools accept a 155?
Schools with LSAT medians around 152-158 are your sweet spot. This includes schools like University of Kansas, University of Nebraska, University of Tennessee, Florida State, American University, and others in that range. Your chances depend on your GPA and the rest of your application But it adds up..
And yeah — that's actually more nuanced than it sounds.
Can I get scholarships with a 155?
Absolutely. Combine that with a strong GPA and you have real scholarship make use of. Consider this: at schools where your 155 is above median, you're an attractive candidate. Don't assume you need a 170+ for money.
Is 155 below average?
No. It's slightly above the median (which is around 152-153). On top of that, you're in the top half of test-takers. That's worth remembering when the comparison game gets discouraging.
The Bottom Line
A 155 is a solid score. Because of that, it's not a golden ticket to Harvard, but it's not a death sentence either. It puts you in a competitive position at a whole range of good law schools — you just need to be strategic about which ones you apply to.
The question isn't really "is 155 good?" The question is: "What can I do with a 155?" And the answer is: quite a lot, if you approach it right.
So research your schools, build a balanced list, make your application as strong as possible, and stop worrying about whether your score is "good enough." It's a legitimate score that gets legitimate results. Now go get in.
