I ended up exactly where I needed to be. Coming from a no-name regional public university, now to top of my class at a well-regarded law school with an appellate clerkship already lined up, I never would have been happy anywhere else.
Applicant wisdom
Advice applicants left on their LSD.Law profiles, searchable by topic, school, and stats.
286 entries
Admitted to American UniversityT1 softs from being ex hockey pro athlete with career ending injury. I wasn’t in the NHL, it was an overseas pro league, so maybe it’s considered as T2? Beats me. regardless, the trend seems that stats are still the primary decision of admission outside of T14
wrote most of the optional essays and applied around the end of October. bombed the LSAT based on my practice test scores (but other attempts were not better)…really hoping someone takes a chance as I am a reverse splitter reddit: ellewoods_obsessed
Went complete for most around early February because I requested holds for the January LSAT. Went complete early to mid-December for NYU, American, WashU, and Michigan to meet PI scholarship deadlines. Writing LOCI’s for select waitlists.
A wise person does not grieve for the things which they have not, but rejoices for those which they have. ― Epictetus “Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is.” — Ernest Hemingway
Wrote Why X and optionals Public interest law White, LGBTQ+, disabled Dean’s list Published writer, interviewed for national and international publications, professional speaker Assoc. Dir. at an advocacy nonprofit Art background
Submitted 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.
Ultimately, this was an easy decision. As a PI applicant, my goal for the cycle was NYU or Berkeley. I am exceedingly fortunate to have received a full ride at Berkeley and after being rejected for RTK, it was a no-brainer to attend.
“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.”
So 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!
This whole system is a scam designed for the 1% to win every time (and get richer in the process), but here we all are buying into it; spending ≥1 year of our lives, our energy, and stressing out so that we can play the game too.
Be kind to yourself
Spend more time studying for the LSAT than you think. As long as you are still learning, you should still be studying. Take good care of yourself and take as much time off as you need between undergrad and law school.
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.
Test scores are almost set to expire and this forced me to withdrawal from at least one school and might be why I am getting rejected from elsewhere. My advice: If you get a good score, don’t sit on it for too long.
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.
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!
1.)Grad GPA was 3.72. 2.) 8 years WE (non-traditional) in education 3.) C and F issue. someone called campus police for noise issue freshmen year of college. Social probation for 1 academic year.
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