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Applicant wisdom

Advice applicants left on their LSD.Law profiles, searchable by topic, school, and stats.

LSAT 174 GPA 3.95 2020–21 cycle

Attending Harvard University

Very mundane softs (typical extracurriculars/internships), but connected all of my experiences into a coherent story in my PS that showed Why Law Hover over result column for essay/interview details.

LSAT 173 GPA 3.82 2020–21 cycle

Admitted to Duke University

…of school resources like your hards and prestige like your softs. which would you rather invest time and money into for when you hit the job market? prestige is not valueless, but its value is variable and difficult to quantify, and ultimately the increase in competition will likely offset the additional resources.

LSAT 169 GPA 3.55 2020–21 cycle

Admitted to University of Chicago

Wrote Why X for all schools I was admitted to. Heavily lent on my soft factors (URM, legal experience, great LORs from folks who knew me well). Tried to limit how much I check r/lawschooladmissions.

LSAT 178 GPA 4.08 2020–21 cycle

Attending Harvard University

STEM major/business minor. Otherwise, fairly average softs (legal & financial internships, volunteer work, club leadership positions, TA experience, etc). T20 undergrad. Did not apply for aid at NYU, Duke, or Northwestern.

LSAT 173 GPA 4.09 2023–24 cycle

Admitted to Stanford University

…your passion! Your story will write itself with time. Softs really can move the needle. On that note, my interviews were far from ideal and I did notice typos on my apps afterwards, but it worked out. It’s really important to come off authentic and personable to admissions

LSAT 177 GPA 3.63 2020–21 cycle

Attending Columbia University

Softs: Engineer, ~3 years of unique work experience, graduate degree, significant time spent volunteering Personal statement: described the series of events that led me to pursuing law school School specific optional essays I wrote: Stanford: “Would you rather travel to the Moon or travel the Earth?” Harvard: None…

LSAT 175 GPA 3.74 2020–21 cycle

Admitted to Duke University

softs: undergrad hnrs major, master’s degree + int’l fellowship lots of on-campus leadership, ccn (lol) alum but don’t think it really mattered possibly cool internship experience(s), worked while doing apps (WE ~1 year) fairly strong personal statement (spent a LOT of time on it), avg supplementary essays, bad yale…

LSAT 174 GPA 3.86 2024–25 cycle

Attending University of California—Berkeley

…of graduating class), 1 year medical leave in undergrad Softs: NSF-GRFP and other awards during grad school, published several first-author articles in peer-reviewed journals, 10+ conference presentations (including at the UN), adjunct at colleges/universities, founded and run LGBTQ-related nonprofit, president of…

LSAT 170 GPA 4.04 2024–25 cycle

Attending Harvard University

…my LSAT being lower than their medians. No crazy special softs, just had solid work experience, decent leadership opportunities and niche interests. A cohesive narrative definitely goes a long way. This process can be tough and disheartening. All we can do is try our best n shoot that shot. Good luck🫡

LSAT 169 GPA 3.96 2023–24 cycle

Attending Harvard University

The best decision I made was choosing to work for a few years between undergrad and applying for law school. My softs, my writing skills, my interview skills, and my perspective all changed for the better because I had gained real world, professional experience.

LSAT 179 GPA 3.50 2021–22 cycle

Attending Georgetown University

…Chemical Engineering with a minor in Business. University Softs (orientation leader, executive leader of a first-year mentorship program, resident advisor, member of a social fraternity) PS focused on family/economic background leading me to pursue engineering, before realizing that climate change policy/law was my…

LSAT 172 GPA 3.96 2020–21 cycle

Attending Columbia University

…abroad and top 2% in the US (T50 undergraduate school). Softs included a somewhat compelling life story and your average on and off-campus involvement. In my applications, I made it clear what my interest in the law was and what I wanted to pursue afterward. I had a consultant look over my materials to make sure…

LSAT 180 GPA 4.14 2022–23 cycle

Attending University of California—Berkeley

…WE at time of applications. prestigious internship but softs are pretty typical for most applicants (maybe slightly stronger.) should have written a Why Columbia, Why Penn, and Why UMich Essays I wrote other than PS and DS: Yale (super late app) 250Stanford 2 supplemental UChicago nothingColumbia nothingHarvard…

LSAT 167 GPA 3.97 2022–23 cycle

Attending University of Virginia

Softs matter. Shoot your shot! Blanket the T20, especially if you’re a splitter or reverse splitter. If a $45 CAS fee gets you an extra acceptance or even $50 extra in scholarship money it’s worth it. All fee waivers unsolicited except Berkeley and UW. Wrote all optional essays. Also unsolicited Why X for CLS, UVA,…

LSAT 176 GPA 3.82 2023–24 cycle

Attending Harvard University

…did not have any conventionally prestigious fellowships or softs, my extracurriculars were pretty standard, my interview skills are subpar. I suspect what helped my app was a combination of: Good writing Exceptionally supportive recommenders Work experience relevant to my legal interests - not conventionally…

LSAT 170 GPA 3.99 2023–24 cycle

Attending University of Virginia

…to say they are holistic, but that is demonstrably BS. Soft’s only help at the margins. Don’t be too hard on yourself.- Attending any law school period is already a difficult feat in and of itself. Do not compare yourself to people on Reddit, having crazy high stats is not the norm. Every attorney I had ever met…

LSAT 175 GPA 3.98 2023–24 cycle

Attending University of Pennsylvania

…good stats, but I had very little work experience and my softs really and truly were not that impressive. I have a gut feeling that my rec letters where a big part of why I did as well as I did. I asked two of my professors—and I didn’t just ask them, I sat down and had a conversation with them about my future goals…