Decided to apply pretty last minute so my application was somewhat rushed. Additionally, this cycle was brutal. I feel like had I had more time and a previous cycle I would have seen less wait lists and rejections. I was hoping I’d at least get into a few T14 but it was not to be. After much consideration I decided…
Applicant wisdom
Advice applicants left on their LSD.Law profiles, searchable by topic, school, and stats.
318 entries
Admitted to University of Pennsylvaniagod is great
If you think you can squeak out just a few more points then please retake and apply with the best app you can! Use 7Sage if you can. Definitely do the optional essays but only if you feel that you can write a STRONG essay in response to the prompt. I think I provided a pretty weak why X essay for UVa and Duke and I…
I’m doing well this challenging 2020-2021 COVID cycle, and I think my softs really helped me out. In March 2021, I will receive my PhD from a top-20 philosophy program, and my work has received recognition in print and via external grants. I received a full scholarship for my undergrad education at a top-40 national…
Never expected these results - I am beyond excited to attend YLS! A few notes: I believe a key to my success was my strong focus on a specific area of law (reflected in internships, extracurriculars, leadership roles, etc). I emphasized this focus in every writing component of the applications.- Submitted 2-3 LORs…
Life is not T14 or bust. Look at the market (or markets) where you’d potentially like to live and work, then work backwards from there to find schools that place well where you want. Make smart decisions, as in not taking out $300k (that becomes $500k before you know it) in debt to go to a school hardly ranked above…
Make sure you do a good job on your applications to the schools that are your top choices. Then you don’t have to worry about the ones you are submitting to safety schools.
(in the order that they notified me) Harvard - A Penn - A - just updated my diversity statement to mention Penn by name; didn’t write any specific why Penn essay. Yale - A - 250 was on a time when I changed my mind in academics, but nothing to do with the law. Also, I believe them when they say that there’s no…
Optional essays: Yale - diversity addendum, no “why x”, LOCI Stanford - 1 optional, if you could talk to anyone from history and ask one question, no “why x” or DA U Chicago - included “why x” in my PS, no DA Columbia - included “why x” in my PS, no DA Harvard - no “why x” or DA UPenn - DA, no “why x”, invited to…
LSAT Demon is the way to go. Began studying in May, took the exam once in August, got my score, was done. Don’t just use the platform, listen to the podcasts & do it their way. I also talked to people from as many law schools as I could. I think this signaled strong interest in schools and helped me tailor my Why X…
write all optional essays spend time cultivating a strong narrative connect with current law students at the law school you’re applying to if you use reddit, use it with discretion attend info sessions for the schools you’re applying to write your essays the summer before so you have time to edit them and get them…
Set yourself apart! In addition to boring but rigorous corporate work experience, I also had a 5 year long small business that is truly unique among law school applications. Additionally, I overcame legitimate, significant adversity during undergrad. In a cycle which strong stats and work experience are commonplace,…
Take a deep breath! It’s going to be fine. This is a long process, so try to take things one step at a time. Write the optional essays and take them seriously. I always chose to include a “Why X” when given the opportunity. Work experience is SO helpful. It drove my narrative and was the main topic of conversation…
I studied for the LSAT for about 3.5 months using 7sage. My softs and essays were more business oriented which I think aligned with Penn and Columbia. I helped found a start up. Harvard, Duke, and NYU are more advocacy and community focused which is why I think my profile did not align as with these schools. I have…
Supplementary Statements - Stanford: Optional Essay, Optional Short Essays (2) Yale: Optional Essay 1 UChicago: Why UChicago, Diversity Statement Duke: Why Duke, Diversity Statement Harvard: N/A UPenn: Why UPenn, Essay Two, Essay Five UVA: Why UVA, Diversity Statement Columbia: Optional Statement + Public Service…
Wrote Why Northwestern, Why WashU, Yale Optional 2, Columbia LSAT Addendum (lol), Georgetown Top 10, Penn Core Values, Stanford Songs/Class, Stanford Optional, and submitted a diversity statement or equivalent to everywhere but Yale and Stanford. 4 LORs (2 academic, 1 research position, 1 WE). LPT: Help pay for…
Don’t be afraid to take a gap year! It made my cycle much less stressful because I already had my LSAT squared away and I was able to apply very early. There are few good excuses for rushing your apps just to start school a year earlier. Softs are everything, and the tiers most people use to categorize them are…
Take your time studying for the LSAT. It took me quitting my job as director at a non-profit, going part-time, and spending almost everyday studying for about 1.5-2 hours, mainly focusing on review. I used the LSATDemon tool to conquer the LSAT. Prepare your essays ahead of time and always send professional, cordial…
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