SaltArgument8139 '25–'26 app cycle Class of 2029 class year

Application Advice:

Take everything I say with a grain of salt. These are things that worked for me but there’s no guarantee they will work for you.

LSAT

Take the LSAT as many times as you need to, especially if you are a splitter like me. I took the LSAT five times and do not regret it at all. Look at your target schools’ LSAT medians and aim to score above them if possible. Medians can go up any given year, so give yourself a buffer.

Timing

Apply when you have your strongest possible application. Schools are moving much slower now because they are trying to avoid overenrolling. You might apply to one school in October and not hear back at all, while another school you apply to in December may respond within weeks. Applying any time before January is probably fine.

Personal Statement

Your personal statement is as important as your LSAT. This is effectively your interview.

Avoid writing a generic essay that simply lists your motivations for wanting to attend law school or restates your resume. Differentiate yourself by telling a compelling story that teaches the reader about you. If you get bored reading your own essay, it needs to be reworked or scrapped. The story should be as recent as possible - do not tell a story from 5+ years ago.

You must clearly articulate a “why law.” Schools want to see that you have seriously thought about this career path. Whatever your reason is, support it with concrete life or work experience that makes attending law school feel like a natural progression.

Starting with a strong hook can help, but do not try too hard to be clever or funny. This can easily backfire if the reader is having a bad day. Better to be safe than sorry.

GPA Addendum

Take full ownership of your academic record. Do not make excuses for your poor grades.

Explain the circumstances surrounding your GPA briefly, then shift the focus to evidence of growth. In my case, I pointed to my work experience and LSAT as proof that I had matured and developed since undergrad.

Keep it concise. It should not exceed one page.

Optional Essays

I wrote every optional essay available. In hindsight, that was likely a mistake.

Admissions officers are reading a high volume of applications. Submitting four or five essays can dilute the impact of your strongest essays. A better approach is to write one to three highly polished, compelling essays that add meaningful value to your application.

Consistency and Presentation

Follow directions carefully and keep formatting consistent across all materials.

Switching between different fonts or sizes is distracting and looks careless. Use 12-point Times New Roman unless instructed otherwise.

Be concise. The fewer words you use to make a strong impression, the more memorable your application will be.

Work Experience

If you are a splitter like me, please get 2+ years of work experience before applying to law school. Schools need to see evidence of growth, so applying right away will not give you the chance to distance yourself from your grades. Your work experience does not have to be extraordinary or prestigious, mine certainly wasn’t. Just focus on the skills you developed and how they are directly transferable to a legal career.

UVA-Specific Advice:

Fit and Demonstrated Interest

UVA places a strong emphasis on fit and genuine interest.

Visiting the school is highly recommended. Use your visit to inform your “Why UVA” essay by referencing specific experiences and conversations you had with students at the law school. This should also function as a pitch for what you will contribute to the community.

Communication Strategy

Be intentional and proactive in your communication.

My timeline looked like this:

Applied in October
Sent a job update in November
Submitted a letter of continued interest after being waitlisted in January
Sent a final letter of continued interest immediately after the deposit deadline

If you plan to send a letter of continued interest, do it as soon as you receive UVA’s email containing instructions for sending a LoCI.

After visiting, I also sent a thank-you email to Dean Blazer and let her know I submitted my application. I later met her again at an LSAC forum, which I referred to in my letter of continued interest.

Interview Follow-Up

If you receive an interview, send a thank-you message afterward. Keep it professional and specific to your conversation.

Following Instructions

Follow all application instructions carefully.

For example, UVA explicitly asks applicants to upload letters of continued interest through their portal. Many applicants ignore this and send emails instead, which reflects poorly on them.

I think this is everything. Good luck everyone - I’m sure you will do great!!!