Q: Can I get into Harvard with a 155 LSAT?
A: Statistically, it is extremely unlikely. A 155 LSAT score is significantly below Harvard Law School's (HLS) median, which is 174, and would place you below the 25th percentile of admitted students. While HLS practices holistic review, a score in this range creates a profound statistical hurdle that is very rarely overcome.
Q: What are the actual LSAT numbers for Harvard admits?
A: Based on the most recent available class profiles:
- 25th Percentile: ~170
- 50th Percentile (Median): 174
- 75th Percentile: ~176
A 155 is approximately 19 points below the median and is in a different competitive stratum entirely.
Q: Has anyone ever been admitted to HLS with a score around 155?
A: There are no publicly documented cases in recent history of an applicant with a 155 being admitted. In rare cases, applicants with scores in the high 160s have been admitted, but these are exceptional outliers who possessed truly extraordinary, often world-class, accomplishments in other fields (e.g., a decorated military officer, a published scientist, or a successful entrepreneur with a massive impact).
Q: What would an applicant need to compensate for a 155?
A: The compensatory factors would need to be of a historic, not just impressive, caliber. This could include:
- A Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, or equivalent international recognition.
- Extraordinary leadership experience, such as being a CEO of a major corporation or a high-ranking government official.
- A profound and unique personal narrative of overcoming adversity, coupled with a record of transformative service.
Even with such factors, the 155 would remain a severe impediment, and the applicant would be advised to retake the LSAT.
Q: What is the realistic advice for an applicant with a 155 who dreams of Harvard?
A: The only strategic path is to retake the LSAT. Your focus should shift entirely from applying with a 155 to improving your score.
- Do Not Apply with a 155: An application with this score would almost certainly be rejected and would use up your opportunity to apply in a future cycle with a stronger profile.
- Commit to Intensive Prep: Target an improvement of 15+ points to reach the low 170s, which is the minimum competitive threshold. This requires a dedicated, multi-month study plan.
- Build a Parallel Profile: While studying for the LSAT, strengthen other parts of your application (GPA, work experience, personal statement) so that when you achieve a competitive score, your entire package is compelling.
Q: How can TheEntryPass help in this situation?
A: At TheEntryPass, we help candidates develop realistic, data-driven strategies. For an applicant with a 155 targeting a school like Harvard, our guidance would be unequivocal: focus on a transformative LSAT retake. We can provide frameworks for structured preparation and help you rebuild an application strategy around a new, target score.