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!
Applicant wisdom
Advice applicants left on their LSD.Law profiles, searchable by topic, school, and stats.
197 entries
Admitted to William & Mary Law SchoolSubmitted Diversity Statement (childhood/ adolescent adversity) for every school except Iowa and Maryland. Wrote Why X for Berkeley, GMU, UC Irvine. Wrote top-10 list for Georgetown. Completed Alumni interview with Georgetown.
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
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
The most important part of your application is creating a cohesive narrative! Figure out what your story is, and weave it through your resume, personal statement, and supps. :)
Apply to 15 - 30 schools. Generally, schools (outside T14) do not consider acceptances from competitors outside the metro when reconsidering scholarship packages. Leverage regional scholarship packages upward based on USN ranking.
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
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.
Send it. Just absolutely send it. Have the confidence that regardless of where you end up you will be a successful attorney, everything else is out of your hands. All applications were submitted in early December.
Two lessons: Apply early and don’t waste your money on LSAT prep if it ain’t 7Sage! Also, if you have the finances, shoot your shot at the reach schools. It didn’t work for me but at least I can say I tried!
Apply before Thanksgiving or you will underperform.
Full-Throated af Applied last cycle (2020-2021) with a 159 LSAT. Full cycle details here: https://www.lsd.law/users/creep/Ambulance-Chaser Max out your LSAT attempts if you have the time/resources
I did some really cool stuff in undergrad and yes it is actually T2 I’m no slouch. Also, I was a STEM major (I know, nobody cares BUT I DO) This process hurts. Be prepared to wait.
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 “soft safeties” i.e. schools where you’re pretty damn certain you’ll get in BUT would also actually consider going there–it may be where you end up, and thats ok.
Be meticulous in logging all dates into LSD so future 0Ls can be effectively neurotic. Also – follow your gut. If you know you could do better on the LSAT, take it again.
-C+F issue: didn’t affect my application nearly as much as I thought it would (if at all) so don’t be discouraged and just make sure you address it sufficiently
Spend more time studying for the LSAT. Consume your life with it. Be a paralegal, legal assistant or get a legal related job to see if you want to be a lawyer.
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