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

• Personal statement was modeled off of the UChicago hobby examples on their website. I think it hurt my applications that didn’t expand on my professional goals in app questions/supplemental essays (CLS, HYS, GULC, Penn, UVA) vs. ones where I did (Berkeley, Cornell, NU, NYU, UC) & would’ve benefitted from a clearer Why Law narrative. I thought my public sector experiences were similar enough to tie together without additional writing but realized I messed up when my Columbia interviewer noted the “mix” of experiences and asked what I wanted to do after law school… whoops…

NU Interview: 12/10; Cornell: 1/16; GULC: 1/19; UC: 1/23; CLS: 1/30
Took the LSAT three times (Nov: Cancel [168], Feb: 172, June: 177) thanks to my LSAT-induced psychotic decision making and because I heard 173+ would be necessary for CLS. I was also pretty sure I could improve through LG. I think the final result helped with CLS & UC As, but three takes detracted from the final score and were really, really expensive. Not sure if retaking a 172 helped my apps at schools where it was at or above median without a Why X (only wrote Why Cornell, Berkeley, and a little bit why NYU in a scholarship essay). Know what’s best for you, do all the essays you can, and don’t rush your first take- .

Attend ASDs if possible. Explore the immediate- area around the school where you’ll spend most of your time 1L. Talk to current and admitted students - check their vibe and how they speak about the school. The unhinged ones are probably showing you somewhat of the truth; you decide how it affects your choice. If you’re interested in PI, look at schools’ LRAPs before you visit & ask questions of the school and PI interested students (really dig into the details, esp. think about the salary cap over the course of the 10 years). Some schools’ LRAPs will cover a percentage of your PSLF payments even after 110k, some aren’t as generous…

Log off while waiting, don’t obsess. Be kind to yourself!