FriendlyAbandonedMandrill '24–'25 app cycle Class of 2028 class year

Wow! What a cycle.
I’m feeling overjoyed by my results—and, admittedly, a bit of survivor’s guilt. While I won’t be sharing details about myself or specifics about my application, for my friends beginning this process, here are some tips based on what I learned:

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LSAT
This was the hardest part of the process for me. I studied while working full-time, so earning a 169 is something I’m really proud of.- I finally got the score I wanted once I managed my nerves. The key for me was mentally separating the LSAT from my broader legal goals. If you give the test too much emotional weight, it can feel crushing.

• Quality of study time matters more than quantity. One focused hour is more valuable than three unfocused, tired ones.
  Transparency:- I worked with a private tutor during my LSAT prep.

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Applications
Writing the essays took much longer—and were much harder—than I expected.- Start your personal statement and résumé early. Ideally, have them ready before fall so you can hit the ground running when applications open.
Transparency:- I didn’t use a consulting service, but I did ask strong writers in my life to review my essays.

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Deciding Where to Apply
Make sure to apply to a mix of reach, target, and safety schools. You never know what kind of cycle it’s going to be (case and point: mine happened to be historically competitive).- I found LSD (Law School Data) to be the most useful tool to craft my list of schools to apply to. Predictors like 7Sage can be flawed, especially if your stats aren’t outliers and you’re aiming for T14 schools. LSD is helpful because you can find case studies of applicants with similar profiles. I was able to predict several outcomes this way.

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The Waiting Game
No one talks enough about how emotionally taxing the waiting period is with rolling admissions.- It’s easier said than done but try to stay off Reddit and LSD during the wait. Enjoy your life in the in-between.

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School-Specific Info
Why X Essays- : I wrote these for Duke, Michigan, Northwestern, UChicago, and UVA.
Other Optional Essays- : Duke, Michigan, Georgetown, and UVA.

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Best of luck on your journey, and goodbye forever, LSD!
XOXO, FriendlyAbandonedMandrill