rollingthedice37 '20–'21 app cycle Class of 2024 class year

TIPS:

• It is impossible to understate the power of a cohesive narrative throughout your application. Second only to studying for the LSAT, I would recommend spending the most significant amount of time thinking about why you genuinely want to go to law school, and then highlighting some compelling links between the ways that you spend your time and your ultimate goals within law. I believe that in this COVID admissions cycle, I may have outperformed my numbers. This is based on the general widespread commentary from 16high applicants feeling like they were unable to crack the T14 (and some even the T20 ) this cycle. I would attribute my success to the narrative that I crafted through my written materials.

*It’s easy and so incredibly tempting to assume that a minor C&F issue will ruin all of your chances at a school. IT WON’T! I reported a minor driving ticket that I received 4 years prior to applying, during my senior year of high school. Because of the fact that I knew next to nothing about this process before applying, I agonized on writing a disclosure for this. Trust me, if you have a minor C&F situation, disclose it without a second thought. It will be okay. Read the questions for each school carefully, and read it two or even three times. They all have different variations of what they are asking, and paying attention to detail is key.

*If offered any opportunity to interview, whether via Kira (sigh) or otherwise, do so. Play your favorite song before it begins to hype yourself up, and get it done. The school will be lucky to have you! Remember to show them that, and no matter what, don’t forget to smile even if you’re nervous.

*If you’re going to write a “Why X” essay, do NOT phone it in. It will absolutely hurt your chances. I can think of two schools in particular where I did this, and I can just feel it in my gut that if I had even just elected NOT to write a “Why X” I probably would have gotten in. If you care about the school enough, this should be easy to do. Be specific and if you can, try to pick a personal connection that isn’t specific to academics. Maybe you love some attraction, location, restaurant, or venue in the area. If it can connect with an interest or experience in your coursework or resume, even better. Don’t force it.

*There is much discussion on the LSA Reddit and occasionally in the LSD chat about what races/ethnicities are and are not considered “URM” for law school admissions purposes. I have nothing to add to this discussion, but I will note that I am not of a Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity that is generally considered to be “URM” within this context. I have no way of knowing if I enjoyed a “boost” in any of my admissions decisions or not, but my point in mentioning this is to highlight the fact that we are all just applicants and no one has a definite answer on this topic. List whichever races and ethnicities you identify with on your application, and be confident in yourself and in your application! You are worthy.

*Do not get desperate, and try to remain hopeful. Know your worth (specifically, know that your worth is not determined by any or even all of your admissions outcomes) and simply be patient. Just because a school hasn’t gotten back to you in months, does not guarantee a rejection or waitlist. Keep your head up and stay the course.

*My last–and possibly most important–piece of advice is to KEEP YOUR EYES ON YOUR OWN PRIZE. Good luck!