I have wanted to go to Notre Dame for as long as I can remember (my dad is alumni and would constantly take me to football games and pep rallies). It was extremely hard to turn down Florida and their full ride, but I wanted to take a risk and go to my dream school even though it is more expensive. Additionally,…
Applicant wisdom
Advice applicants left on their LSD.Law profiles, searchable by topic, school, and stats.
189 entries
Admitted to University of GeorgiaNontraditional Student, 31 years old. Wrote a GPA Addendum as my CAS GPA included classes from over a decade ago. My GPA since coming back to school is a 3.91. Work experience is a lot of restaurants, a couple of political campaigns, and two years in advertising (commercial production). C&F: Misdemeanor arrest from…
Write a good application. Do the research, work with a mentor to nail your personal statement, don’t skimp on the supplemental essays. Be able to say something honest about why you want to go to this school. Make yourself a known quantity. Go to campus if you can. Be that annoying person who “just happens” to run…
Reapplying in a few years for HLS. If you get an HLS II, don’t brick the interview like me
If you are at all considering public interest, please read into your school’s LRAP.
Application Advice: Visit schools! Attending virtual info sessions is great, but I think visiting schools made a huge difference in a some of my outcomes (especially UVA and Duke) and allowed me to figure out where would be the best fit- Write all of the “Why XYZ” essays. Schools want to know that you are…
It’s all in God’s plan. No matter what you believe, God or not, there is some divine force guiding you right where you need to be. Do all you can do to the best of your ability and if the result isn’t to your liking, there is a force much more powerful than you at work. Recognize what you can control and what you…
Beans and rice is such a great meal. It’s cheap, easy, delicious, and nutritious. You can make it in whatever form you find the most satisfying; personally, that’s kidney beans cooked in chili powder served with white rice and topped with cheddar cheese. This is my wisdom to depart and I hope you will reflect and…
I think I likely underperformed, but the C&F issues definitely came back to bite me. I think my advice would be you are better off waiting a few years with WE than applying as a KJD, especially when there are negative aspects in you application (Low GPA or C&F). Show growth and maturity rather than say it in you…
Wish I blanketed T-14 and applied to fewer safeties. Write all optional essays/supplementals early and revise several times. Do your research and show your interest in the schools you like best. Write LOCIs right at 12 weeks regardless of holiday breaks. Negotiate as many scholarships as you can. Thank your…
I applied knowing that I wanted to go to school in the triangle (Duke or UNC) and the rest of my applications were kind of just for negotiation purposes if I could use them. When I got the WL at Duke, it really stung, but when I got accepted off hold at UNC I was so excited & I can’t wait to be a Tar Heel in the fall.
I have always thought that one man of tolerable abilities may work great changes, and accomplish great affairs among mankind if he first forms a good plan, and, cutting off all amusements or other employments that would divert his attention, makes the execution of that same plan his sole study and business. Ben Frank
Apply early in the cycle. Essays do matter (as evidenced by my results compared to my LSAT). Take care in every aspect of the application and ensure that your package tells a complete, compelling story. Do the optional essays. Be personable in interviews and always convince them that you want to go to their school.
Don’t believe the hype from r/lawschooladmissions. Look at applicant data, talk to admissions, and evaluate the strength of your resume/writing samples. Talk to your school’s advisors, but remember that their opinions are not the end-all-be-all for anything. 7sage and powerscore are great resources.
My cycle had a lot of twists and turns, it was really only at the last moment that my decision was made. Sometimes it might not be clear where you are going to end up, so if you have some setbacks don’t think it’s the end of the road yet! You might just need to wait until you get the answer you want.
A cohesive narrative and clear idea of what you want to do as a lawyer goes a long way! Also apply as early as possible so you have max time for scholarship negotiations (and peace of mind).
Approximate time to hear back from schools (Class of 2028, assuming you applied right when apps opened): September: Arizona State, Baylor U, WashU- October: UGA November: Florida (Levin), USC December: UCLA, UMN, Notre Dame, SMU, Texas A&M, UNC, Utah February: Duke March: UT
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).
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