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

Very non-traditional student. I joined the military straight out of high school and completed all my college throughout my 20-year active duty military career. I attended five different universities, all part-time and primarily online, and earned four different degrees, up to an MBA. It was difficult to assess whether this was a beneficial soft that displayed commitment and dedication or a detriment due to my age and low-ranked education institutions compared to other applicants.

Where to apply: I blanketed T14 anywhere I could move, even though my stats were below both medians. “So, you’re saying there’s a chance.” Money wasn’t a concern for me. Knowing it was a reach, I also applied to several target and safe schools. I took the experimental LG LSAT in December and received a free CAS report. So, I chose to submit one last application to UCLA because they also offered an application waiver which made the entire application free.

Waiting on decisions: My safe schools naturally accepted me first and offered scholarships (again, not a concern for me, but it confirms that I have a shot a target schools). I got a waitlist at one target early on and missed the first several A-waves from other targets. This was a stressful experience; I kept reminding myself, “they still didn’t say no.”

Sending Applications: I made mistakes that I regret. Mostly, I sent applications the second application windows opened in September. I wish I had slowed down for two reasons. First, I wish I had used a consulting service to prepare my personal statement and maybe consider writing a diversity statement. As a non-URM, I felt it was a little tone-deaf to write a diversity statement, but I think I have a unique experience that could add to a student body. Second, a few schools sent application waivers in November after I had already applied. Had I slowed down, I could have saved money and had stronger applications.

Letters of Recommendation: Every law school wants to see an LoR from an academic perspective if possible. I had to find a professor I worked with five years ago, and luckily she remembered me and was willing to write an LoR. If you are currently in school and plan on applying to law school within the next five years, I’d start probing for that academic perspective now.

LSAT: I took the LSAT cold and got a 168. I chose not to retake it because I felt it was “good enough,” and my goal was just to get into any law school. In hindsight, I wish I had paid for 7sage or LSAT Demon and retested at least two more times. I think I could have broken into 170, which would put me above many more medians.

Some schools never went under review, but the complete date changed. I used UR2 to show date changes for under review and for complete.

Fordham - Application complete 5OCT, 14NOV, 13DEC. Once my Fordham acceptance came in, I felt very relieved. I considered this to be my first target school acceptance.

Georgetown - uses two waitlists, a regular and a preferred waitlist. The regular waitlist will not be used until the preferred has been exhausted. I was placed on the regular waitlist on 2DEC. I was rejected on 7JUN.

George Washington - I took it hard when George Washington was my first waitlist. It made me question whether I was overestimating my chances. I still received quick acceptances with offers from safe schools.

UCLA - I attended a virtual campus tour led by Danae McElroy. It was one of the most informative campus tours I attended; I highly recommend it.

Yale - I didn’t plan on applying to Yale, but Yale sent e-mails encouraging applications and invited me to some “invite only” events. However, I was part of the first rejection wave. It’s still better to apply and let a school reject me than reject myself by not applying. So, no regrets.

Berkeley - I wrote a “Why Berkeley” because I initially did not plan on applying. However, I read about some of their programs I was interested in (legal clinics and pro bono work for veterans). Since I genuinely was interested in the programs, and not just “because it’s T14,” I wrote a “Why Berkeley” paper. Berkeley will give veterans a fee waiver on request. Berkeley sent out a WL quartile ranking around Memorial Day. I was in the 3rd quartile out of 600-700 WL applicants. Since the class size is around 350 students, I knew it was slim chance of getting accepted off the WL.

Boston University - My sub status date disappeared on 1FEB. It seemed like it disappeared for all applicants.

Stanford - Status changed to “decision letter sent” on 8FEB. Stanford calls for acceptances and mails letters for Rs and WLs. There were not any other R or WL waves at this point. I received the letter on 25FEB.

Columbia - WL decision on 8FEB. Rejection decision on 7JUN.