5tr1pperP0L3 '22–'23 app cycle Class of 2026 class year

My $0.02 on the application process:

The LSAT

If you think you need a year to study for the LSAT, you probably need two. Despite what everyone on reddit says, it takes most people a lot of time to score 160+. If you're able, take a gap year (or two) and work part-time while studying for the LSAT. It may sound extreme, but the higher the score the more doors that are open and the more scholarship money you can receive. 

Admissions Consultants/Putting Together Your Application Materials

On reddit, I've seen a ton of people ask about admissions consultants. As someone that used a consultant for all the reasons people tell you to get one (e.g. C&F, educational gap/transfer, poor grades), I do not feel shelling out thousands of dollars was worth it, and my results show that. There are so many free/low-cost resources regarding application materials that make consultants not as valuable. While I am not the biggest fan of r/lawschooladmissions, there are plenty of posts sharing free resources to help you with the application process. If you're enrolled in an undergraduate program, grad program, or are even a recent grad, try to utilize the writing and career center at your respective institutions. Also, ask any trusted friends, family members, former/current professors, mentors, co-workers, etc. to review your materials. If your network/resources are limited, there are some lower cost editing services to help you fine tune your materials. 

Apply Broadly

I used to give people the side-eye for applying to a bunch of schools they knew they wouldn't go to, but as the application cycle goes on, life happens, you find out more information about schools, you get unexpected offers/rejections, etc. St. John's wasn't even on my radar until I saw reddit posts about people hearing back quickly and getting full unconditional scholarships. Originally, my plan was to use St. John's for scholarship negotiation purposes, but as I learned more about the school and compared my other offers, it was clear that St. John's was the best option. Had I not decided to apply to St. John's, I would most likely be in major debt. Personally, I wish I applied to a few more reach and target schools, but my outcome would have still probably been the same. Since application fees are expensive, apply to receive a CAS waiver on LSAC (I got denied, but it doesn't hurt to apply), ask admissions offices for application fee waivers, opt into CRS on LSAC (where you can receive unsolicited fee waivers via email), and attend school specific webinars that offer fee waivers. A lot of schools will give you a fee waiver just for asking and some make you fill out a short application.