strangelarva '25–'26 app cycle

Shout out to all the trans girls out there! This first point is addressed to y’all.

I’m going to be so real: y’all got the softs, alright? But you got to right those essays, and write them well, even if it’s hard. There is a lot of doomerism, and there is good cause for that. But I want to stress: law school classes across the country are more diverse than ever. With the rise in both median GPA and LSAT, a good story, a powerful story, is more a boon than ever before. That is the way that we- all people, really- are able to differentiate themselves. Play into that. It’s going to feel odd to pick and prune at yourself. It might be painful to pull a story out of yourself, and to put yourself on display. We already deal with enough of that. In this case, though, I really do think it is worth it. I think essays and personal statements are the strongest tool we have to sell ourselves to committees.

Now, for everyone!

My second advice, and this is crucial, is that one strength is enough to overcome all weaknesses. If your work experience and story demonstrate unique dedication, skill, and organization, harp on it. If your LSAT is brilliant and your GPA mid, be the troubled prodigy. If your GPA is rock solid and your LSAT quite poor, then show that you’re an incredible student with all the study skills, and that your academic success is the peak of replicable. That’s what I think is key with this: a strength is repeatable. You can do it over and over again. Find a strength, and show the committee that they can expect to see it over, and over, and over, and over again.

Third, and this is especially true for splitters… back to essays. Your essays should explain your weaknesses, yes… but don’t get stuck on that. What is most crucial is highlighting and building a strength. You’re selling yourself, your story, your perspective. And that stuff is valuable. Law schools want their alumni at every level of society: they want people in firms big and small, international and local, transactional and litigation, every practice area. They want alumni at every level of government: they want local offices held by alumni, and they’d love nothing more than a supreme court justice from their program. That means your unique strength, your unique interests, the unique goals you have, are valuable to law schools. They need a diverse class if they want to have alumni everywhere. Show them through your strength, not your weakness, that you have a unique and important part to play in that mission of the law schools to which you apply.

Fourth, I really do think it is wort it to find a tutor or other help for essays. Your content should be your own, but don’t be afraid to get writing tutoring. This is the committee’s only real chance to see your writing, so make it count!

fifth, do the optional essays, and make sure that your essays are customized.

sixth, apply early. Apply often, if you can. Aim for money.

seventh, don’t be afraid of scholarship negotiation.

eighth, get recommendation letters early. Bonus points if they are coherent to your essays.

Ninth, Don’t apply to Loyola University Chicago.

tenth, It’s going to be okay. Don’t get stuck on the big law hype train.