biggest advice: having a knockout application later is better than a rushed one early!!!!! I worked full time during this whole process and it’s doable, but challenging. Learn from me!!

what I’d do differently:

1. I busted my butt and got a million reviews for my PS and statement of perspective, but didn’t spend enough time or have enough people review my supplemental scholarship/ programmatic essays and even though I got a ton of As, no one bit for the generic public service essays I dropped which I guess only really restated my resume. However, for the two higher ranked schools I got into, I wrote really good supplemental/scholarship statements that, after just looking back at them with fresh eyes, were just more interesting to read. I think a really strong scholarship essay - something that doesn’t restate your resume, provides a story about your life and character, that YOU don’t think is boring - could override an undecided admissions committee because the faculty in charge of that scholarship program say “I want him/her!” And after you do all the hard work of applying, half assing the schol essay makes an acceptance so much more expensive, maybe prohibitively so… and I suspect a weak scholarship essay makes the admissions think worse of you than if you hadn’t tried at all.

2. in my ideal world, while working full time (40+ hour weeks), id spend a year studying for lsat, and then the next year, visit schools and write essays and apply that cycle very much sure of which schools I wanted and why.

3. I think if I’d not let myself be pressured by others or my own expectations as far as timeline, if I could do it again. I would’ve taken the October LSAT instead of September and tried to lock in my PT consistently. (Got a 179 on a PT and said “good enough!” Then only scored a 171 on test day).

What I did well:

1. 7Sage in person LSAT class. Accountability, friendship, in-person tutoring and instruction, mentorship, virtual coursework, and realistic practice test software. Just do it.

2. Applying broadly based on dreams but ALSO your stats - ESPECIALLY with fee waivers. My top choices rejected me bro, my best offers were schools I only applied to because someone told me my stats aligned well with them.

3. Go to every single admitted students day. Schools I thought I’d like, I didn’t. The schools I thought I’d like the LEAST I loved the MOST when I visited for ASW ! It’s crazy how much location and current students and vibe affects you, and you should value your intuition - remember this is three years of your life, that’s worth something! I also made SOOO many friends with other admitted students and we exchanged numbers, went to bars. It was so affirming to have camaraderie with people who get how crazy this process is that loving non-law friends and family just don’t. We gave each other great advice and listened and are happy to see where everyone ends up. plus a lot of schools give reimbursements to travel for free or discount - get that coin and all the swag bags!!

4. cold contact law school alumni on LinkedIn to get a sense of the school (especially if you went to same undergrad as them), get phone numbers of current students and ask them all your questions to make your decision. They’ll be honest and love chatting!!