UnamusedNeckerchief '21–'22 app cycle Class of 2025 class year

I took my first LSAT in August of 2021. I didn’t feel great about it so I registered for October before I got my score back just to be safe. I ended up with a 162 which was way below where I had been PTing. I did much better in October. I don’t know specifically why I was able to make the 14 point jump but I know I was way more relaxed the second time so that is my biggest piece of LSAT advice (I also used the Kaplan book). 

I wrote a GPA addendum addressing my low grades (which were all in my freshman spring due to a weirdly specific and difficult family situation). I also think having a few years of post-grad work experience helped soften the GPA blow and I sent a professional rec letter (in addition to 2 professor letters) to some of the more ambitious schools I applied to (see below). 

I did not write an LSAT addendum (because I already had the GPA one and didn’t want to over explain). A few schools had blurbs in the application itself where they asked to explain LSAT jumps. Maybe I should have written one for everyone, I don’t know- it felt stupid to write a paragraph saying “I just studied a lot.” 

Because I was such an intense splitter, my cycle was pretty insane. I never would have expected I would even have a shot at getting in to Chicago and I almost didn’t apply. Decided to send one just to see what happened and I’m so glad I did! My advice to splitters would be to not pay too much attention to median numbers and shoot your shot because there is truly no way to predict how your cycle might go!

Harvard: Sent an extra rec letter

Chicago: Why Chicago, Sent an extra rec letter. They did not offer any money and rejected my negotiation attempt. I am going at sticker which might be a bad financial decision but it is what it is I suppose. Money is not real.

UPenn: One optional essay, Sent an extra rec letter

UVA: Why UVA (this was mission critical, I think. Definitely do a Why UVA), I interviewed and was accepted at the end. They initially offered me $0 but I emailed Dean Blazer and was able to negotiate up to $15k per year.

UMich: One optional essay, Sent an extra rec letter

Northwestern: Kira interview

UT: nothing, never received a Kira interview invite

Vanderbilt: Optional video essay. I requested to do an alumni interview but they said they had none in my area (suspicious, as I live in DC).

USC: nothing

Notre Dame: Why NDLS (required). I never got a response from NDLS. I got 4 emails telling me they were working on it but after waiting for 6 months and committing to Chicago, I withdrew.

Alabama: Didn’t do anything extra but I have family in the state and I think they care a lot about meaningful ties. They are looking for people who are interested in staying in the region. I visited and met with a bunch of alumni and they increased their scholarship offer to basically a full ride.