harvard JDP/columbia lead, co ’31.
Applicant wisdom
Advice applicants left on their LSD.Law profiles, searchable by topic, school, and stats.
367 entries
Admitted to Columbia UniversityEasier said than done but STAY OFF REDDIT. All that comes from the subreddit is anxiety.
I included a short but compelling section in each of my PSs that touched a bit on a particular strength the school had and how that connected to my goals. Got fucking bodied by the great 20/21 top lsat score bubble, so hopefully the stats have calmed down a bit for you future applicants. You’ve got it. Go kill it.…
Don’t be shy to ask for fee waivers from all schools that have that option. Some schools have a form you can fill out for need/merit fee waivers and are very generous. Ask for your recommendations as early as possible, and try to give a due date of a few weeks to a month before you intend to submit to account for…
HYP undergrad. My GPA increased from 3.67 to 3.72 during my admissions cycle. I got into NYU, Michigan, Duke, and Georgetown before the GPA increase. PS about my interest in international law and development in Africa. Wrote a DS about representation. 4 strong letters of rec: 2 professors, 1 summer internship, 1…
Hover over results for my notes on each specific application/decisions. “Why Law” themed PS - 2.5 pages to all except where there was a strict 2pg limit. N-URM minority (Latina), but didn’t write DS. 3 LOR (1 academic, 2 professional), 3-4 years relevant WE (to specific practice area) Minor C&F addendum (pot in dorm…
2020-21 was a hell year for applicants. Didn’t write optional UVA essays but didn’t really care, so WL wasn’t surprising. Was nervous for Chicago interview and probably didn’t convey enough enthusiasm, unlike my HLS one, ergo those decisions. Wasn’t willing to give YLS the hard yes, so I get why they pulled me off…
Bachelor’s and master’s from a top school, and five years of work experience in big tech, which feeds into my why law (personal statement). Wrote why Berkeley, two optional essays for Stanford (moon vs. travel and three books). Didn’t write a separate Why Columbia or Why Duke, but worked it into the end of my…
Take your time to submit a good application, better than rushing for early cycles.
Many takes on the LSAT - do not let that discourage you. Really wanted to be in NYC, did not want to take any chances given the competitiveness of this past cycle so I decided to apply ED. EDIT: Do not apply ED, shoot your shot, I regret it. I feel like I could’ve gotten into HLS or gotten a large scholarship at…
Get good letters. I do falconry, ran environmental lobby campaigns in Texas, and have political science & international business degrees. Speak English and Spanish. I credit my success to my falconry/wildlife rehab background and my letters. don’t doubt yourself and don’t compare yourself it gets you nowhere.
Make your application a cohesive story through your essays—your work experience, research, academics, art, life, weave it all together in service of presenting yourself as an excellent future lawyer but also a real human being. Don’t be afraid to wander off the beaten path. And SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATIONS EARLY!
Mexican-American, attended an Ivy+ school for undergrad and graduated in three years. Had some solid internships, did some research, and was involved with student organizing on campus, but nothing extraordinary. My personal statement dealt with my experiences with my family and heritage in the borderlands.
If you are just thinking about law school, but don’t know which field you want to specialize in, or don’t know what to do about the future in general -> a CS degree is never the wrong choice (unless it kills your GPA). I took LSAT 4 times, which was a horrible decision. DO NOT take it until you are ready.
If you’re Black with a 160+ LSAT score, submit an app to the top 20 schools, and you’ll get in somewhere if you take the time to perfect your essays. Submitted GPA addendum (3.7 gpa following freshman year medical leave of absence)- Submitted video of my speech testifying before the State Senate
I am still confused as to why some schools were not interested in me and others liked me a lot. I think I wrote a very individualized and unique application which probably cut both ways. So, I have no advice or profound wisdom beyond: believe in yourself and Godspeed with this fucked system.
Wrote all optional essays and had fun with the prompts. I’m guessing that humor–especially the self-deprecating kind–was seen as a positive Despite the username, I think having clear reasons for Why Law and (as a KJD in particular) Why Now was real important. Good luck with ur cycles!
Worked hard in personal statement + supplements to create a strong why law/why now narrative. Wrote Why X’s (or each school’s equivalent) for every school outside the T6, plus optional essays for any schools that had prompts. Otherwise, very boring KJD who’s had a lot of luck this cycle :)
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