MistyUnicorn’s Tips From Someone Who Got a T14 with a 3.5 and a 163
Do not be a KJD if you can help it.
This is by far my number one tip. I wish I could shout it from the rooftops.

I would recommend being a KJD to absolutely no one. I believe that it will only hurt you. Why on earth, if all things are equal, would a school choose someone whose resume is made up of chess club and volleyball when they could have someone who did chess club and volleyball and knows what they want to do with their lives and has work experiences. I think there are zero pros to be a KJD.

I know this is controversial and everyone’s situation is different. BUT I was told over and over again by admissions officers that my unique work experiences and essays were what attracted me to them as a candidate. I am also a person who majorly outperformed their stats. I was saved this cycle by my work experience. Unless it will completely ruin you financially or royally screw up your visa/right to remain in the US, PLEASE take gap year(s). A lot of people claim that because of their major, they can’t get a job, and have to KJD. YOU DO NOT! Your chances at getting a top school increase drastically with just a year of work experience. Volunteer, do AmeriCorps, do whatever. I am extremely anti-KJD and I think it hurts your maturity and your focus. Just my two cents. Also, everyone can tell when someone is KJD and not in a good way. Harsh, but true.

Stats aren’t everything, but you have got to do a hell of a lot to “make up” for low ones.
This is yet another reason (IN MY OPINION) it is extremely stupid to go KJD if you want to get a top school. Even if you have impeccable stats, those impeccable stats will look even better with some work experience with them. I’ve already mentioned that I had extremely unique work experiences. I also had rec letters from multiple extremely prominent people in my community (think politicians I worked closely with, ect.) I cannot prove that this helped, but I don’t think it hurt. I knew my other materials had to be great.

Do the weird thing
If I had to guess, what got me into the schools I did was my unique work experience. I did this work because I was extremely passionate about it, and it was legal adjacent. That narrative was in all of my items. If I did consulting when I graduated, or worked for a tax law firm in my home city, I would not have the perspective that I do. If you get a unique opportunity, take it. And if you don’t have one, make it. I knew when I accepted this unique job that I would write my law school essays about it. Every part of it was extremely calculated.

Best of luck. I hope I can be a case study that even in a crazy competitive cycle, admissions is holistic. Also, for my fellow URMies: you belong and tune out the noise. The perspective you bring is different and valuable.