I wrote essays for Berkeley, Michigan, and Penn. Ultimately I am happy that I got in via ED2 at Penn though I did have to withdraw most of my apps before a decision could be rendered. That plus the wild nature of the 2020-21 application cycle means that my data will be of limited utility if things eventually calm…
Applicant wisdom
Advice applicants left on their LSD.Law profiles, searchable by topic, school, and stats.
6,732 entries
Because this cycle moved so slowly, I wish I had taken the LSAT again and gotten my score up. Because it was “rolling,” I wanted to get my app in as early as possible (I applied early November to all schools). However, people who applied much later than me heard back way earlier and I wish I could’ve made my…
What a cycle. Today is July 25th, 2022. Last night I went to sleep planning on moving to Knoxville, TN to attend their law school, and this morning I woke up to an offer from W&L law (about 25 rankings higher) and now I am attending their prestigious program. I think this goes to show you should never give up and…
My Berkeley ED App included: GPA addendum (STRONG upwards trend after transfer to a significantly higher ranked school) LSAT score increase addendum (took 3 times w/ significant score increase) Enthusiastic Why Berkeley essay that was very personalized/non-generic 4 pg personal statement 2 pg résumé a typo I found…
LSAT 162 GPA 3.40 2020–21 cycle
Attending Illinois Institute of Technology (Kent)
Graduated from a T30 public university in 3 years. Working as a legal assistant while applying. 7+ months in legal field as of 03/2021. Previously worked as a book editor at a publishing company; laid off because of Covid. First gen undergrad student and first-gen graduate school applicant. Chicago-Kent went UR2 on…
Law school is a risk, and lawyers are all about risk reduction. While the rest of your career will be spent on minimizing chances for a failure, lawsuit, etc., law school applications provide an opportunity to take large risks with very little downside (R, out some $). There but for the grace of God go I–it…
Just remember, Big Law is awful. I mean, just absolutely awful. I don’t know what will happen with my law school application(s), but going to Harvard or Cornell or Duke - there’s one desired outcome for most of those students - to go work at a massive corporation with other attorneys. Don’t let that shit get to you.…
7 years of (not law-related) work in media and marketing. Freelance journalism on the side. Average extracurriculars during undergrad, slightly more interesting post-grad volunteering experience with NGOs/educational institutions. LGBTQ. Wrote why essays for NYU & Columbia playing on my connection to the city.…
Apply when you feel comfortable with your application material. Do not rush to get your apps out as early as possible. Literally just email schools asking for a merit based fee waiver to save yourself some costs. Worst they can say is no. Give yourself more time than you think you need to write your personal…
It’s been 5 years since I graduated college and I took the LSAT so it’s never too late.
As a native Appalachian, I want to give back to my community in some way. Therefore, location and school culture matter to me the most. My advice: follow your passions and interests. Your happiness is more important than prestige. Apply as early as you’re able, and look into schools you never thought you’d be…
You only need one A!! Dont compare yourself to others, you have your own path and all you need is for one good school to take a chance on you and give you the opportunity to thrive there! Super humbled and grateful that I got into my dream school with lower stats, you can do it too! Dont count yourself out because…
Some random advice: Try for an early A at a safety, even if your application is unpolished. Look for info on LSD to find which schools historically respond early. Once you bag an early A, just skip any school that’s worse - save time, money, stress. Also serves as a proof of concept that your personal statement is…
Applying: October 1st-November 16th URM: Hispanic Female T3: Disability, Co-founder of Small Personal Finance Company Work Experience: Pro-bono, Family Law, Criminal Law Extra-Curriculars: Election volunteer, Pre-Law Society President, Mock Trial Team member, United Culture Organization, Spanish Culture Club,…
I was roofied my freshman year which took a huge emotional toll on me. Sophomore year I had almost 20 trips to the emergency room/hospital for ovarian cysts which caused my GPA to fall. Was able to get all As and a few Bs to bring it back up some in the following semesters, but they only do so much. I wrote an…
Wrote supplementals for all my apps. Did any optional interviews. I know I want to practice in Texas, tailored my school list towards that. 3/23 Update - It was always UT, everywhere I applied was for leverage to negotiate with UT. I have a lot of personal ties to the university and Austin that were hard to give up.…
Background: 3 years law firm WE, 1 year of teaching English abroad. GPA went down from dual enrollment city college classes I took when I was 14 and the fact that LSAC refuses to calculate my entire Junior year which was spent abroad. Write the optional essays! It is like extra credit. I did for every school that…
GRE 315 GPA 3.63 2024–25 cycle
I am genuinely excited about the prospect of attending your law school and am confident that my background in public administration, combined with my extensive judicial experience, will enable me to excel in this academic endeavor. I look forward to the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to the vibrant legal…
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