I’m glad I wore my heart on my sleeve. I wish I hadn’t panicked and doubted so much. I’m glad I retook the LSAT late in April - it led to my top choice acceptance. I wish I’d known “optional” certainly does not mean “optional”, thank you very much. Advice: be passionate but not obnoxious, and don’t compare yourself…
Applicant wisdom
Advice applicants left on their LSD.Law profiles, searchable by topic, school, and stats.
187 entries
Admitted to University of Richmondᕙ(▀̿ĺ̯▀̿ ̿)ᕗ Optional/Why X: Columbia**, Michigan, Northwestern, Georgetown, Vanderbilt, North Carolina, Notre Dame,**** Arizona State, UC Irvine, Illinois, William & Mary, Richmond, Penn State, Cincinnati, ****West Virginia **
Have been working for a law firm doing Claims Review (wahoo…not) for the two years I have been out of school. 3 strong letters of recommendation. A number of volunteering activities after college and one board position. Figured I spent enough time agonizing over other people’s numbers I might as well put mine up.…
-Picking which school is harder than waiting for admission decisions -Write all the essays and make sure you do them well, not halfway and just calling it good enough -Consider how the school fits you more than anything else, because a school may be number one in rank but that doesn’t mean it’s the best for you
my C minus in Intro to Guitar has come back to haunt me
Strong LORs from law school professors and law firm partner Foreign Trained Lawyer Worked as a foreign associate at a top tier firm LL.M. Graduate from T-14 law school Applied to a few 2 year advanced standing JD programs (for foreign lawyers) Accepted at UChicago as a transfer student
If they let you write Why X in your PS or in the application itself, write it out (or at least think it through) because it can help you figure out why you like the school other than ranking or employment rate. Don’t be scared, you will get into your dream school. I believe in you!
Duke UR3 3/7 Wrote a “Why X” for most schools. Work experience in the Department of State, two Middle Eastern embassies, and extensive volunteer experience in Morocco, as well as some customer service jobs and undergraduate research. Attended top liberal arts college.
Applying relatively early doesn’t mean you will hear back early. Don’t stress out about it though. Go touch some grass and get more vitamin D instead of doomscrolling
My essays were not great, and I may have applied too late to make it into the top schools! Luckily, I wasn’t set on a T14, wanted to remain in the Richmond area, and am debt averse, so U of R was the perfect option. Good luck, everyone!
Figure out what values the law school is looking for (e.g. diligence, honesty, ambition, etc.) and tailor your personal statement and essays to that. I got into William and Mary and NDLS by doing so, despite my GPA and lack of softs
originally applied to all schools with a 159, retook in April and got a 169. probably would have had a better outcome if I had waited to apply with this better score but ending up at my top choice with a great scholarship. v happy!
“Ready” is not a feeling, it’s a decision!
My wisdom is yes, it is worth taking the LSAT again. I learned through this process that even a couple of points make a really big difference when it comes to scholarship money. So study a little harder and take it again. (◕︵◕)
Just about anyone can get into law school if they put their mind to it. Setting a target LSAT score and sticking to a strict study regimen is what worked for me, even if this seems rather obvious and sounds redundant.
Don’t let debt loom over your head for the next 20 years. Focus on the region you want to practice in, and the programs you’re interested in-don’t get too caught up in rankings, because it’s not worth 100k in debt.
Applying to law school is: stressful, overwhelming, and scary. It’s also full of hope, opportunity, and joy. Feel your feelings; they are all valid. Remember that you are beautiful and strong, and I believe in you.
Take these results with a grain of salt, most were part time admissions, what I ultimately decided on due to my career. Things like this always work out, you’ll end up wherever you were supposed to be. Go Pirates.
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