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
Applicant wisdom
Advice applicants left on their LSD.Law profiles, searchable by topic, school, and stats.
182 entries
Admitted to University of MarylandSo far I’ve noticed that writing a “Why X” addendum essay can be very powerful with the admissions committee. Definitely regretting not submitting any for my schools for the 2021-22 cycle. If you have to space to write one, do it!
Shoot your shot, they can’t say yes if you don’t apply. Also, don’t apply to schools you won’t go to even if they send you fee waivers and invitations to apply. It’s a waste of time and energy for everyone, trust me I just did it
I am here to tell my story as a super reverse splitter. The chances are never 0%. (P.S. I applied to many more law schools, but I am too lazy to insert all of the info, so I will update my profile as I hear back from them).
Apply to any and every school you have an interest in (ask for fee waivers), see which schools accept you, weigh the scholarships with the prestige that each school carries, and then make the best decision for your future.
Applied with a 3.84 and GPA increased after first semester senior year. I transferred after my first year at a big public school to a tiny liberal arts school I took the LSAT 3 times, with one cancel, and two kept scores
Wrote “Why X”’s for my top choice schools, diversity statements when they were accepted (not a URM but Southeast Asian), and a GPA addendum. Initially applied with 15high LSAT. Retook in January with current score.
Everyone makes it seem like if you aren’t above at least one of the medians, you will be waitlisted or rejected. I’m proof this isn’t the case! Of course ED helps. Probably being a STEM major doesn’t hurt either.
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.
Don’t pay for law school! Apply to a wide variety of schools and take the offer that maximizes job outcomes and minimizes debt. Good luck!
Trust me. Apply early. I was told by several schools that if I had applied earlier in the cycle they would have had a place for me. Don’t procrastinate something that will impact your whole future.
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.
Your essays matter more than you think they do Write a GPA addendum Be realistic but it’s also okay to shoot your shot!
Went into the process being okay with a lot of debt, came out of it realizing that a full ride in a market I want to be in means a big deal to me. Did not write any LOCIs whatsoever.
I am a First-generation American and have been working as a paralegal in Big Law since right after graduation. I applied as early as I could in the cycle, which I think helped.
Our generation’s cooked and my cycle was even more cooked but y’all got this. And apply early
Mid-January ~ early March Applicant. International with US undergrad, super splitter, and CF issues regarding GPA. Will update with more info once cycle is near-complete.
Apply to that reach school; the worst they can say is no! Well, they could call you and insult you for 10 minutes straight, but REALISTICALLY the worst they can say is no!
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