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Applicant wisdom

Advice applicants left on their LSD.Law profiles, searchable by topic, school, and stats.

LSAT 178 GPA 3.00 2021–22 cycle

Admitted to Stanford University

…things from the source instead of through hearsay. Both softs and numbers matter. Softs are everything about your app that isn’t quantitative. Whether it is a “good” soft is a matter of framing. In the words of Dean Andy from GULC, this is basically pole vaulting; the bar is set by your numbers, and the pole is your…

LSAT 171 GPA 3.28 2021–22 cycle

Attending University of Michigan

Thoughts on particular schools UNC “hold” is a soft waitlist, and unless you demonstrate visit-level interest after receiving it, it will turn into a real waitlist- Address went long at Michigan the Thursday/Friday before the week I got the A Gray bar at WashU within a week of decision GW date did disappear but I do…

LSAT 172 GPA 4.00 2022–23 cycle

Attending Duke University

…have been engaged in several activities that amount to T3 softs in undergrad. All I had to do was score well on the LSAT. Ultimately, I did, but let me just say; little compares to the sustained anxiety of studying for a test as difficult to “perfect” as the LSAT for roughly 6 months. Godspeed to all those who come…

LSAT 170 GPA 4.00 2021–22 cycle

Attending University of Notre Dame

…a full semester of pass/no pass grades thanks to COVID-19. SOFTS: one great internship, a couple meh internships, some retail/food service part-time work, and no full-time work experience. campus involvement throughout undergrad including some leadership. captain of university speech team and a few cool awards for…

LSAT 171 GPA 3.00 2023–24 cycle

Attending Cornell University

…only factors that matter in this regard. Don’t think your softs will overcome these factors. Be realistic, even in your reach schools. But don’t be afraid to dream big also. If you will always regret not applying to School X, and you can afford to do so, do it! The first page I built had when the applications opened…

LSAT 176 GPA 3.96 2023–24 cycle

Attending University of Michigan

…I almost certainly underperformed my stats. I had no solid softs to speak of though, and if I did it all again I would’ve focused more on experiences ahead of time and developed a well rounded application instead of just a stat-heavy one. Happy to walk away with only two R’s, but getting waitlist after waitlist was…

LSAT 174 GPA 2.90 2021–22 cycle

Attending University of California—Los Angeles

…CSU and double majored in English and Philosophy Tier 3 softs: 3 years working at a literary journal (1 year as a junior editor, 1 year as senior editor / lead designer, 1 year as editor in chief), student in Honors college, published author, presented at an honors capstone conference. Self studied for the LSAT over…

LSAT 169 GPA 3.45 2021–22 cycle

Attending University of California—Davis

…professors anymore and taught me 9 years ago. No amazing softs. I applied with a goal of writing myself as a future public interest lawyer tangentially related to my prior profession. What i wish i knew/did before applying to ALL these schools: Look at the history of scholarships. Don’t under-estimate your stats. I…

LSAT 169 GPA 3.54 2021–22 cycle

Attending Fordham University

Ask every school for fee waivers, apply early, and max out your LSAT and GPA. Your softs will not make you but they can break you, so make sure your personal statement, additional essays, and resume are coherent and typo-free. Other than that, you’re at the mercy of the admission cycle. Also, try not to constantly…

LSAT 170 GPA 3.13 2020–21 cycle

Attending University of Notre Dame

I feel like my softs are closer to a Tier 3 but I’ve got one of the tier 2 bulletpoints on my resume so I guess I’m tier 2 Wrote Why X for: UVA / Michigan / Georgetown / Notre Dame Don’t ignore your GPA until it’s too late, kids Went UR3 (lol) at ND on 2/2 Got the HTE from NYU (lol)

LSAT 169 GPA 3.96 2020–21 cycle

Attending University of Michigan

…but I also had one really good school specific LOR. Softs Prestigious internship, Research Assistant, Worked throughout undergrad, Board member for an academic club, Volunteered: election, pro bono tax prep, food bank & vaccine distribution

LSAT 169 GPA 3.07 2020–21 cycle

Attending Northwestern University

T2 softs and Ivy undergrad. Didn’t write Why X essays, but wrote other optional essays. Included a non-traditional diversity statement (meaning I didn’t talk about race) and a pretty wild academic addendum. I know for a fact that my essays and interviews were what got me very far in the admissions process- spend a…