Rural low-income, nURM, nKJD, queer. “Dropped out” of traditional high school because of an unstable home life, failing grades, and a life-threatening illness.

Community college with a rocky first year and spotless second year (3.79 A.S.) to B1G STEM (3.98 B.S.) –> 3.9 LSAC GPA. UG took 5.5 years cuz I worked multiple jobs. Most WE is in research and public service, but I also worked retail and as a custodian and whatever else.

My community bailed me out of a lot of tough spots, and my WE in public service informed my Why Law, so I wrote my essays about those things.

Two academic recommendations. Both had me in and outside of class, were on my thesis committee, and are my biggest cheerleaders.

Self-studied for the LSAT with a couple PT books and Khan Academy. 167 –> 175 two months later, both in 2019. Drill-based studying in short bursts 4-5 days a week with <10 timed PTs. Consistency won; you can’t cram for a skills-based test.

What helped: Dean Z’s A2Z YouTube videos and Dean Ingber & Dean Jobson’s Navigating Law School Admissions podcast.

If I could do anything differently I would have stayed off Reddit/LSD once I started submitting, and I would’ve written a Why Michigan essay LOL.

Other cycle notes:
I knew I was going to Yale as soon as I got the call, but originally thought I was going to wait and see how things played out… then I got sick of the process, withdrew from everywhere in January, and committed. No amount of money was going to change my mind (especially because I qualify for need-based aid). Really excited! This was my best possible outcome.