GooberSnatcher '22–'23 app cycle Class of 2026 class year

Link to Reddit cycle recap with written application materials included:* *https://bit.ly/3HvUUqH**

Numbers: 3.89/172 
(Took the LSAT four times: April 2021: Cancel, October 2021: 162, November 2021: 164, June 2022: 172).

I studied for the LSAT for over two years. Making the decision to delay a cycle and keep studying was the best choice I’ve ever made. But it was a difficult one. I purposely chose an undergraduate college that didn’t require standardized test scores. I then chose a graduate program in another country because I didn’t want to take the GRE. Standardized tests have always been my weakness and a huge part of why I didn’t go to law school earlier was because I was terrified of the LSAT. Finally, I had to face up to that fear, and promised myself that whatever happened, I wouldn’t fail for lack of trying.

The LSAT is a learnable test, but you have to give yourself the time that you need to become proficient. I will never forget the day that I got that 172. For better or worse, the test matters. I treated it like a part-time job (in addition to my actual full-time job), and refused to give up on myself. It’s one part of the application that is entirely in your control. Viewing it as an opportunity rather than an obstacle was key to sustaining my study.

Background
I am a first-generation high school and college graduate. I am a non-URM applicant. I grew up dirt poor and queer in rural Alabama. I graduated from a small liberal arts college in 2010. I have a Master’s Degree in Communication Studies from a major Canadian university, for which I wrote a thesis about queer identity and metronormativity (you can find a succinct explanation of this in my Yale 250).

Work Experience
I have 10+ years of work experience in the nonprofit sector. I have worked for national organizations including GLAAD and the Roosevelt Institute, and local grassroots organizations in Alabama that advocate for voting rights and prison reform. My why law is pretty personal, as you will see in my written materials. I think much of my success stems from the cohesiveness of my application.

Writing
I can’t stress how important strong writing is throughout the application. For every single named scholarship I received, admission staff referenced my writing. Give yourself enough time to write and revise, and write every Why X you can. When you are writing a Why X essay, be creative and show how the school fits into your life/plans. Every essay you’re able to submit is a chance to show the reader a different side of you. Take advantage of that.

LORs
I submitted four LORs, three academic and one professional. I was able to get one of my strongest LORs from a professor I had in undergrad over 13 years ago. I can’t stress how important it is to make lasting, authentic relationships with your professors. I just so happened to go to a college that insisted up on that, and it was built in to the curriculum. If you don’t have that at your school, do your best to get close with faculty that can mentor you. I am certain that my LORs made the difference for YLS.

C&F 
I also have a not insignificant C&F issue from eight years ago. I was arrested and charged with two alcohol-related misdemeanors, which were dismissed after completing a year-long pre-trial diversion program. It was the lowest point in my life, and writing that addendum was tough. I believe it is absolutely essential to show contrition and put enough time between the incident and your application to show how you have changed. Fortunately for me, I had nearly a decade of working, promotions, and volunteering since my incident, and it seems that schools could see that this incident was the exception—not the rule—of my life.

That’s about everything that comes to mind. I am so grateful for how my cycle went. I never, ever imagined I would make it to this point. It is surreal to realize a dream that I’ve had for so long. It wasn’t easy, and I sacrificed three years of my life for this. I’m happy to finally say it paid off.

Yale
Received the call from Dean Ingber while visiting for Michigan Preview Weekend.Filled out the need-based aid forms and was awarded a full tuition Hurst Horizon- Scholarship the following week.

Michigan
Invited to interview for the Darrow- 12/16.

• Interviewed on 1/16 and got the award one week later on 1/23.

NYU
Invited to interview for RTK- on 2/7. Withdrew from RTK before the interview because I knew I would take the Darrow/Mordecai/AnBryce over the RTK with its five-year PI commitment.

Invited to interview for AnBryce- on 2/13. Interview on 4/4 at SCOTUS with Justices Thomas and Sotomayor joining the panel. Awarded on 4/5.

Berkeley
Named BLOS finalist on 2/16. Interviewed in Berkeley on 3/10. Awarded BLOS- on 3/20.

Duke**
Scholarship interview on 2/14. Awarded Mordecai**- on 2/22.