Koala123 '20–'21 app cycle Class of 2024 class year

Mid-law school update for any future readers: very very happy with my decision to take the money at GULC. Felt a lot of concern about the perceived worse outcomes from GULC, but in my opinion, there is truly nothing to worry about. I performed relatively well during 1L (nothing amazing, but above average) and had my pick of 2L firm offers. The school has a million cool classes, clubs, research opportunities, clinics, etc. etc. Everyone I know across the grade spectrum has had success in finding opportunities.

1-2 years work experience in policy + lots of volunteering, leadership, and internship experience while in college. LORs included 2 academic and 1 professional – I think they were positive but not anything special or overly personal. Wrote why X or optionals for GULC, Duke, Michigan, Penn, GW, UVA. Did Kira for NU. Received NYU HTE in January. PS was well-written but topic was not anything particularly unique or inspiring.

Sent mid-cycle LOCIs to NYU (1 page) and UVA (2 sentences).

LSAT: took once (FLEX). Used TestMasters in person course, PowerScore LR Bible, LSAT Trainer (amazing for RC), Loophole, and lots of practice sections. I would generally recommend the TM course, though I do not think doing a course is necessary (though it’s useful for getting started). I would HIGHLY recommend the books I mentioned for different purposes. LSAT Trainer helped me immeasurably with RC, weirdly enough.

Goals as of now are FC, fed gov, or policy role. Open to BL but won’t have to rely on it with my debt load. Goals at the beginning of the cycle were T6 or ~$$ at lower T14.

Other tips: make a separate gmail account for everything law school related. It’s worth it, I promise. Also, ask for LORs as soon as is humanely possible. I asked in July and was still waiting for months, only to have one professor say no (too many other requests) and one never respond. Ask early and have backups prepared.