I am starting this profile to show everyone what the admissions cycle is like for someone with poor grades in their undergraduate studies. I will update regularly with test information, schools I am applying to, and how I fare in the admissions process. I am hopeful, but pragmatic. Good luck to everyone. End of…
Applicant wisdom
Advice applicants left on their LSD.Law profiles, searchable by topic, school, and stats.
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My LSAC GPA went from 3.39-3.5 during this cycle. However, according to my school, I have a 3.7 and graduated with honors. LSAC is a scam, and without it, I think my scholarship outcome would have been better. **LSAT: ** Don’t sign up to take the LSAT unless you are consistently hitting your goal score in PTs. You…
I wish you the very best of luck (and preparation). This process is not easy, but neither is being a lawyer. My cycle recap and thoughts are below, if they are of any use to you. Background/context: ivy undergrad (according to LSAC, during my cycle 3.86 was in the 72nd percentile of GPAs of applicants from my school…
This is my second cycle applying. I applied last year in conjunction with the Navy LEP program. My primary focus last year was to stay in the midwest. I had to withdraw my applications once I was informed I was not going to be allowed to get out of my current contract to pursue LEP. My results from last cycle are…
LSAT: give yourself way more time than you think you need! if you’re KJD, taking it during school really blows so (from my experience), plan to take/retake over summer. also, don’t be too hard on yourself! like most of us I’m insanely type-a and a perfectionist and not hitting that 17x killed me but we will all end…
Initial reflections: I think that HYS outcomes are very difficult to predict. Others felt a bit more straightforward. For me, Harvard interview was more direct, more formal, and less friendly than the Chicago interview. For HLS, I would prepare thoroughly and be prepared to give a strong “why law school?” answer…
As my partner said looking at my LSD chart: “You barely got in anywhere!” Honestly looking at my decisions, it feels like it. What I have taken away from this year is a splitter’s life is a chaotic game of waiting. Going into this cycle, I knew the T14 was going to be an extreme challenge, and I was hoping for at…
Took the LSAT three times: 156->166->164 (ugh) Went into this cycle with NU as my top choice, so it’s honestly surreal that I’ll be attending next year with $$. As a reverse splitter, I couldn’t be happier with how my cycle played out. I didn’t apply to the rest of the t-14 because I wasn’t entirely happy with my…
I recommend studying at least 6 months for the LSAT, and like, really studying. If I could do it over, I would have studied all winter/spring and taken it early in the summer. That way you can retake it in late summer/early fall if necessary, and still apply relatively early in the cycle. I would also start jotting…
Macro thoughts: So clearly I applied to way too many schools. I’m very debt averse and wouldn’t pay sticker anywhere. My cycle was a rollercoaster as I did not hit 170 until November, a year after I started studying with PS trilogy, 7sage, and RC Hero. I planned on applying with 163 from June and August, but was…
wrote diversity statement (LGBTQ, mentioned URM identity) for all schools, wrote why Xs for chicago, penn (core strengths), duke, UVA, berkeley, and michigan and integrated why X into PS for columbia and georgetown. STEM background and work experience in STEM field, had a pretty specific PS topic and clear goals,…
Wrote optional essays for Michigan, Penn, and Stanford (ironically, the schools I didn’t get into lol). I did not write any LOCIs and was rejected from all my waitlists. PS was on my personal growth through taking on a hobby-related challenge. I brought in my legal work experience at the end, but probably could have…
Always do the optional essays!! Especially the “Why X” for the schools that really like to see them (UMich, UVA, Duke, Berkeley (mandatory if applying for PI scholarship), UCLA (programmatic contribution), Georgetown, any school that has a dedicated spot in the application to demonstrate interest). I didn’t write a…
I got a lot of help from looking at other super splitter profiles so hoping mine does the same for someone else! For those with low GPAs: first and foremost, focus on your LSAT. You need numbers on your side, and the LSAT is the best way of showing that you are more than your GPA. I wish I’d applied to more schools,…
All it takes is just one. Shoot your shot. The only way to count yourself out is by not applying, so blanket the entire country. App info: common extracurriculars and a basic social work internship. I had one very interesting soft that was the basis for my PS and my DS (on par with homelessness, physical disability,…
For reference, I failed out of community college early on, retook classes, and graduated from a top university with a 3.9, but my cumulative GPA is still pretty rough. My LORs are strong and I think my essays are too. If you don’t have any disposable income, the whole process will be harder and I feel for you.…
A few thoughts on waitlists, “your chances,” R&R, the LSAT, and advice in general: Never give up on waitlists, especially ones that are known to have good movement (like in my case with HLS). A strong, school-specific Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) can go a long way. Do not send the same LOCI to every school,…
GULC details: Submitted LOCI in April saying I would deposit if admitted but wanted to be considered for merit and need-based aid. I got a feeler phone call from an admissions officer in the middle of a Target on 5/19/22. I’m saying the Target part because I literally dropped to the floor and crawled into a corner…
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