Apply early in the cycle. Essays do matter (as evidenced by my results compared to my LSAT). Take care in every aspect of the application and ensure that your package tells a complete, compelling story. Do the optional essays. Be personable in interviews and always convince them that you want to go to their school.
Applicant wisdom
Advice applicants left on their LSD.Law profiles, searchable by topic, school, and stats.
318 entries
Admitted to University of PennsylvaniaDo stuff you’re interested in before law school!!
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!
Hispanic from southwestern state, extensive experience living/working/studying abroad, speak 3 languages, won a prestigious fellowship, currently working in a hot industry (and hope to focus on that during law school). Hope schools ignore my low GPA :) edit: they are not ignoring it
A cohesive narrative and clear idea of what you want to do as a lawyer goes a long way! Also apply as early as possible so you have max time for scholarship negotiations (and peace of mind).
Study for the LSAT, it’s worth it Tell a cohesive story in your essays
Took the LSAT once and used Khan Academy and Mike Kim’s LSAT Trainer to study. No significant work experience except for an on-campus part-time job. Wrote a PS about my experiences growing up as an immigrant, no DS. Wrote a “Why X” and supplemental essays when recommended.
I got my first acceptance in 3 days and my last in 183 days. In the 180 days in between I tried (and failed) to anticipate each and every decision and it compromised my mental health. My advice? Block this site and wait patiently for the emails like you’re supposed to.
Supplements Yale: Wrote optional on community- Chicago: n/a (not sure I told my move well enough) Penn: Why X Harvard: 2 pages each for Perspective & Purpose NYU: n/a Columbia: Why X, fun fact Vandy: Lived Experience WashU: n/a Reflections on interviews:
R&R applicant. Applied in the 2023-2024 cycle as a KJD with 165 LSAT and struck out of T-14 with some acceptances in T-30. Hope that my outcomes this year can convince others that gaining some relevant work experience and boosting your LSAT score is 100% worth it.
Kind of a unique background. Had an explanation for my low GPA and a decent why law. https://www.reddit.com/r/lawschooladmissions/comments/1c82nmv/splitter_cycle_recap/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
no explicit why law in my ps(you better write one) Wrote why Duke/Cornell/GULC/Columbia/Penn(core value) No surprise from Mich, UVA, and UChicago. They do not like international students 😭 international students!!!!!!!!!! Work on your soft!
It only takes one
Probably a little cliché but if I think as long as you feel yourself coming through your applications you’ll end up where you need to – as long as you’re authentic you’ll get in somewhere where the people there are excited about you
Heroes get remembered, but legends never die. Follow your heart, kid, and you’ll never go wrong. Wrote supplementals for: UPenn - Core Values UVA - Why UVA Duke - Why Duke Georgetown - Top 10
Softs and a cohesive matter so much more than you think.
work experience is your friend!! especially as a super splitter and your PS/supplements and general writing skills matter way more than you would think, especially if you can tell a convincing story about why law and why now
Wrote every optional essay to all of these applications. I didn’t keep exact track of the dates, so any of the applications where the date complete is the exact same day as the date received was just an approximation.
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