2020-21 was a hell year for applicants. Didn’t write optional UVA essays but didn’t really care, so WL wasn’t surprising. Was nervous for Chicago interview and probably didn’t convey enough enthusiasm, unlike my HLS one, ergo those decisions. Wasn’t willing to give YLS the hard yes, so I get why they pulled me off…
Applicant wisdom
Advice applicants left on their LSD.Law profiles, searchable by topic, school, and stats.
545 entries
Admitted to New York UniversityBachelor’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…
If you have a C&F issue related to your undergrad’s academic code, certain schools will require a letter from a dean, and won’t process your application as complete until they have received this letter. Plan ahead!
Submitted 3 LORs: 2 academic and 1 professional Did not write an optional essay
Admissions is about distinguishing yourself from others. So do this in any way possible, whether that’s through a high LSAT, unusual resume, or interesting personal statement. Basically, do everything in your power to make the admissions officer remember YOU (in a good way) out of the stack of 40 files they just read.
shoot your shot take a gap year(s) and get experience and raise your score prestige matters but dont do it at the expense of financial sanity believe in yourself get an honest opinion of someone at the school (preferably a 2L or 3L not connected to the admissions outreach process) spellcheck your apps lol
Enjoy the little things in life. Law school is tough and working in law is no easy journey. The job can be stressful and take a toll on your health. I find that being grateful for the most basic things in life is a great way to manage the stress and intensity and even turn them into positive forms of reinforcement.
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” Feel free to reach out for LSAT advice.
Bonus info for Canadian applicants! UofT: Wrote optional essay about “a meaningful intellectual experience”. McGill: Interview was conducted to determine French proficiency. I answered most questions in French, and I have a high-intermediate ability in reading and aural comprehension UBC: Index score of 94
UnwrittenLikeableOcelot left no wisdom for posterity… (◕︵◕) I’m going through this process now. All I can say before I get a complete set of results is be nice to folks throughout the process of applying! We are all stressed about it, but at the end of the day, I think we all want the best for each other.
Mexican-American, attended an Ivy+ school for undergrad and graduated in three years. Had some solid internships, did some research, and was involved with student organizing on campus, but nothing extraordinary. My personal statement dealt with my experiences with my family and heritage in the borderlands.
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.
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.
HYP undergrad w/ honors, 4 yrs WE mostly at a fairly well-known legal advocacy org. Wrote optional essays for Stanford (1-day class), Penn (core values), Michigan (Why X), and Georgetown (unpopular opinion). Non-URM but submitted a diversity statement about being mixed-race where applicable.
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!
Worked hard in personal statement + supplements to create a strong why law/why now narrative. Wrote Why X’s (or each school’s equivalent) for every school outside the T6, plus optional essays for any schools that had prompts. Otherwise, very boring KJD who’s had a lot of luck this cycle :)
Biographical: HYP undergrad. BigLaw paralegal for 3 years. White, LGBTQ+ Re: the LSAT - took it only once, July 2020 Flex. Had a diagnostic of 160, self-studied up to a 168. I used my COVID stimulus check to pay for a tutor starting in late March 2020. Studied for about nine months total.
Wrote “Why X” essays for Columbia, Duke, NYU, Northwestern, Chicago, and Michigan; wrote GULC 250 optional essay on “Top 10 List;” wrote Core Values essay for Penn; wrote about thesis topic for Yale 250. Kira interview for Northwestern; group interview for GULC. Chicago UR3 on 2/15.
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