The most important part of your application is creating a cohesive narrative! Figure out what your story is, and weave it through your resume, personal statement, and supps. :)
Applicant wisdom
Advice applicants left on their LSD.Law profiles, searchable by topic, school, and stats.
6,730 entries
So far I’ve noticed that writing a “Why X” addendum essay can be very powerful with the admissions committee. Definitely regretting not submitting any for my schools for the 2021-22 cycle. If you have to space to write one, do it!
Don’t go for the sake of going. If it doesn’t make sense right away, keep doing what you love and trust you’ll find your way there eventually. Planning to continue my career teaching US govt in the fall w sights set on next cycle.
Apply to 15 - 30 schools. Generally, schools (outside T14) do not consider acceptances from competitors outside the metro when reconsidering scholarship packages. Leverage regional scholarship packages upward based on USN ranking.
Apply earlier, and not during a pandemic. Spend less time on here (same goes for Reddit). Wrote optional essays for Stanford (3 books, 3 songs), Georgetown (Top 10 list) and a “Why X?” for UVA, Michigan, Duke, Cornell, and ASU.
This is probably super doxxy, but I used this site often during the application process and know that it can be helpful in some ways (although not as many as Reddit would lead you to believe…). Applied to most in late November
Stressing out and checking this website constantly is TOTALLY good for your mental health and will 100% guarantee that you get into your dream school
Stay off Reddit
GPA 3.50 2022–23 cycle
My grades and LSAT are average, but I am literally the most involved person inside and outside of campus. So if I get into these schools, it’s really because of my essays/extracurriculars/work experience. Good luck everyone else!
This whole system is a scam designed for the 1% to win every time (and get richer in the process), but here we all are buying into it; spending ≥1 year of our lives, our energy, and stressing out so that we can play the game too.
Wrote “Why X” for Chicago, Penn (core values), Michigan, Berkeley, UVA, NDLS. Included minor “Why X” in Columbia PS. End of cycle! Will stay on all waitlists except WashU but most likely attending either NYU, UVA, or Michigan.
PI Goals, aiming for good vibes. Gonna go CLS despite effective full ride at GULC. I wanna live in NYC, and I think the difference in outcomes between the two is sufficient to justify the decision. Gonna ride the HLS and SLS WLs.
Shoot your shot, they can’t say yes if you don’t apply. Also, don’t apply to schools you won’t go to even if they send you fee waivers and invitations to apply. It’s a waste of time and energy for everyone, trust me I just did it
Strong softs with a cohesive narrative (somewhere between tiers 2 and 3). TFA for 2 years after undergrad, with another year at a similar organization in a leadership role. Good luck, and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself!
Heroes get remembered, but legends never die. Follow your heart, kid, and you’ll never go wrong. Wrote supplementals for: UPenn - Core Values UVA - Why UVA Duke - Why Duke Georgetown - Top 10
Essays are important! I know they are annoying, but, important non-the-less. Do them! Schools love it when you show real interest. Top ranked schools know they are great with the ranking, show them what makes them unique to you.
“Ready” is not a feeling, it’s a decision!
Applications are holistic; they are admitting a person not a GPA/LSAT score. Make sure that your personal statement is honest to you and what you want to accomplish by going to law school. It will work out!
Your study break just got better: follow @lawschooldata on Follow @lawschooldata on TikTok & Instagram