Hover over results for my notes on each specific application/decisions. “Why Law” themed PS - 2.5 pages to all except where there was a strict 2pg limit. N-URM minority (Latina), but didn’t write DS. 3 LOR (1 academic, 2 professional), 3-4 years relevant WE (to specific practice area) Minor C&F addendum (pot in dorm…
Applicant wisdom
Advice applicants left on their LSD.Law profiles, searchable by topic, school, and stats.
439 entries
Admitted to University of California—BerkeleyGirl, this is gonna be a tough few months Update: 2/27/24 Holy shit it was a long few months. Two more schools to go. UVA and UCLA. It has been a very stressful process that has cost me a lot of hair but almost done :) 3/10/24 update UCLA waitlist a week or so ago. Almost done. UVA is ghosting me sadly or I would…
Bachelor’s and master’s from a top school, and five years of work experience in big tech, which feeds into my why law (personal statement). Wrote why Berkeley, two optional essays for Stanford (moon vs. travel and three books). Didn’t write a separate Why Columbia or Why Duke, but worked it into the end of my…
Wrote why X paragraphs in my personal statement. Dual enrollment lowered my LSAC GPA by 0.26. Softs are 1) extremely competitive extracurricular team, 2) very low-income upbringing affected by things relate to a very clear rationale for why law, and 3) prestigious undergrad fellowship. White and Hispanic, so kinda…
LGBTQ, from low-income single-family home. Strong ties to California. Wrote PS about my experience founding an international NGO. DS was about my experience overcoming a childhood trauma and healing from PTSD in my adulthood. Wrote “Why Berkeley” and several other “Why X” essays and all optional essays.
If you are just thinking about law school, but don’t know which field you want to specialize in, or don’t know what to do about the future in general -> a CS degree is never the wrong choice (unless it kills your GPA). I took LSAT 4 times, which was a horrible decision. DO NOT take it until you are ready.
LSAT 178 GPA 3.34 2025–26 cycle
Admitted to University of California—Los Angeles
Don’t write yourself off for T14 consideration on the basis of a below-25th UGPA. LSAT, WE, graduate-level GPA, LORs, and thoughtfully crafted application materials can take you further than you might think!
I am still confused as to why some schools were not interested in me and others liked me a lot. I think I wrote a very individualized and unique application which probably cut both ways. So, I have no advice or profound wisdom beyond: believe in yourself and Godspeed with this fucked system.
Wrote all optional essays and had fun with the prompts. I’m guessing that humor–especially the self-deprecating kind–was seen as a positive Despite the username, I think having clear reasons for Why Law and (as a KJD in particular) Why Now was real important. Good luck with ur cycles!
Love the school that loves you.
You will forget this all once it’s behind you. Logging in as a 3L to check my LSAT score in order to answer demographics questions for MPRE registration. Almost ordered a new transcript to check my undergrad GPA. Stats and essays feel so important when you’re applying but they’re not.
Wrote every optional essay possible and a Why X to avoid YP outside the T6. Did not write any DS. If you get an HLS interview, make sure you’re really jazzed and emphasize that it’s your first choice. That’s what I think got me WL’ed, since my interview otherwise went really well.
Wrote Penn Core Values and Why X School essays for Berkeley, Michigan, UCLA, USC, Cornell. Added a sentence in PS for Columbia. Sent Why NYU after NYU hold. LSAC GPA was slightly lower than uGPA. Retake the LSAT if you need to, apply early if you can. Good luck! You’ll do great!
-Shoot your shot -Sometimes you have to listen to your heart more than others -Be honest, the Admission Committee can smell BS -Stay true to your roots, even if some find it to be controversial- You would not want to attend a law school that does not align with your views :)
Truly no idea how I got into Berk (but so so grateful) - maybe living in the bay + tech background coupled with my career goals helped? Berkeley Essays: 4 pg ps- why Berk (attended a prelaw event and wrote about it) DS (I’m nURM) but wrote about living between two countries
My wisdom is this: I have no wisdom. I am a Mexican-American URM with a unique soft. I’m writing this before I receive any decision, but a horrible cycle would probably be due to me applying at 19 years old. If I had a normal/good cycle, then I guess age doesn’t matter!
LSAT 169 GPA 3.99 2023–24 cycle
Admitted to University of California—Los Angeles
always have faith in yourself!!! you can get into a T14 without a 170. write some killer essays and get your apps in as early as you can but also when you feel confident in them (it’s okay to not have them in as soon as apps open - you are not late and not behind).
R&R applicant. Applied in the 2023-2024 cycle as a KJD with 165 LSAT and struck out of T-14 with some acceptances in T-30. Hope that my outcomes this year can convince others that gaining some relevant work experience and boosting your LSAT score is 100% worth it.
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