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

For me i always wanted to see people like me’s advice. So lets start at the top.

Be Realistic with yourself and craft your school list meticulously: if your below both medians more than likely your not getting in. It sucks i know, but make sure that your list reflects your stats. Weather u have a 158 like me or a 170, make sure your list has a few safeties, and multiple matches along with your reaches. Along with this, craft a list that makes sense for you. If you wanna be in florida, your safeties probably shouldnt be on the west coast. If you wanna practice in NYC, your safeties probably shouldnt be in florida etc. Set yourself up for success. Also please do not fall for predatory law schools (capital, New England University etc.) at least go to a school that has employement and is known. If your not going to be valedictorian, your not gonna get a job more than likely (i’m not saying its impossible with networking etc. but you have an uphill battle).
When to retake and when not to. I personally struggled with this and this is the ultimate advice i can give. if you are able to get into a regional school that realistically can get you the career you want, there is no need to retake. If you personally want to be a supreme court justice, then thats a different story. Retaking and reapplying costs time money and mental energy, plus it puts your life on hold long term. If you can afford it, if it works to fit your needs by all means do so, but if you wanna do PI you can go to alot of schools and do PI and be just fine for example.
apply early, it might not guarentee you get a decision earlier, but it does take the stress of applications off your plate sooner which you will need long term.
this process is so insanely difficult on you and your mental health. I personally applied in October and had to wait till the end of march to get decisions back. take care of yourself, if your list is crafted right you will go where you are supposed to (thats cliche as fuck but its true).
have a LOCI ready, you will more than likely be waitlisted by a school, have a LOCI on deck so you can send it early, having to write multiple is a real pain in the ass.