A pair of landmark announcements rocked the legal world this past week, as several top-ranked schools declared that they would no longer participate in US News’ annual law school rankings, and the ABA passed a motion recommending that the LSAT no longer be required for law school admissions. In Episode 123, Dave and Jon explain precisely what each of these shocking revelations entails, and how they’re likely to affect you and your plans going … [Read more...]
Podcast Episode 109: The New LSAT-Optional Proposal—Has the ABA Lost Its Mind?
A surprising new policy has just been proposed by the ABA that would make the LSAT (and all other entrance exams) optional for law schools, paving the way for a future where applicants no longer need test scores for admission. In episode 109, Dave and Jon break down these developments, exploring where things stand, what’s likely to follow, and what it all means for applicants going forward! … [Read more...]
Podcast Episode 107: Student Question Mailbag: Law School Admissions Part 3
The third admissions-centric episode of Dave and Jon's popular Student Mailbag series is here, tackling the supremely slow admissions cycle and what to do about waitlists, how and when to write addenda (including Letters of Continued Interest), the rise of the GRE, and more! … [Read more...]
Podcast Episode 106: The 2023 US News Law School Rankings
The 2023 US News law school rankings are officially out, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time for a deep dive into the latest results! In Episode 106, Jon and Dave explain the divisive methodology behind the rankings, the notable winners and losers as schools rise and fall (including some historical highs and lows in the top-10), and how students should view these new standings when making application decisions. … [Read more...]
2023 US News Law School Rankings Released!
The 2023 US News Law School Rankings are out! We’ll break down some of the big news from the new rankings in a moment. But first, here’s our standard disclaimer about rankings. Please keep in mind that these rankings are just numbers put through an arbitrary formula that was created by a magazine that makes millions of dollars off of them, so use them at your own risk!The list below is numbered according to the new rankings, and the order … [Read more...]
What to Expect on LSAT Score Release Day
As the long countdown finally nears its end before any given LSAT score release day, we always like to present students with a handy list of reminders about how the process takes place. Keep tabs on this checklist so that you know exactly what to expect! Scores are no longer released in batches over several hours, but are now being sent out en masse at/just before roughly 9 am EST. There may still be some slight delays however, both for … [Read more...]
Podcast Episode 102: 2021-2022 Law School Admissions Mid-Cycle Recap and Predictions
As we cross the halfway point of the 2021-2022 admissions cycle, Jon and Dave are taking a close look at the data to explain exactly how things are going so far. Tune in as they explore the current applicant and LSAT numbers, compare this cycle to the past two, and make predictions about what to expect this spring. They’ll also explore some specific scenarios from retakes to waitlists and give advice on precisely what applicants should do next! … [Read more...]
Top 100 Law School Application Deadlines and Latest Acceptable LSAT: 2022 Edition
The LSAT you take—or retake—can have a great impact on your admission chances. Some of you may be asking, “Is the January LSAT too late? Are the February or March LSATs too late?” We survey top law schools yearly with those exact questions to find out admissions deadlines and the latest LSAT each school will accept.Many of the top law schools are still requiring a January LSAT deadline. But, as you’ll see in the chart below, the February and … [Read more...]
Supplemental Essays in Law School Admissions: Yes or No?
Many law schools invite applicants to submit supplemental essays when applying to law school. Surprisingly, the topics you are likely to be asked about do not vary tremendously, and generally boil down to the following. AddendaDiscuss weaknesses or significant trends in your undergraduate record. This is known as an "addendum" and should be submitted if necessary (whether the school asks for it or not). Address issues related to the … [Read more...]
What Should I Do While I Wait for My LSAT Scores to Be Released?
So you’re in the wake of taking your LSAT. No doubt the days following it’s completion has been an unrelenting stew of emotion. Relief to be through it, anxiety about how you performed, and sleepless nights waiting on the release of your LSAT scores.For many—and fingers crossed you’re among them—the LSAT is a memory. Prep books and course materials can be discarded as you see fit. For others and perhaps yourself, things didn’t go as well as … [Read more...]
Is the LSAT a Perfect Predictor of Law School Success?
The LSAT is intended to measure the skills you will need to do well in the study of law. But how good of a test is it? How important are “LSAT skills” once you get to law school? Can it act as a predictor of how well you'll do in Law School? Reading Comprehension Reading Comprehension is important, which is why it seems to show up on so many different standardized tests. Without question, people who want to go to law school should be able to … [Read more...]
Podcast Episode 94: Student Question Mailbag, Law School Admissions Part 2
It’s time for the 8th installment of our popular Student Question Mailbag series, this time devoted entirely to admissions. You can find Part 1 of this Admissions discussion here. Join Jon and Dave as they tackle a long list of key questions, like how to best write resumes and personal statements, what constitutes a realistic reach school and how to improve your chances, and many more! … [Read more...]
How to Craft a Killer Law School Application
It's application season! And we're getting a lot of questions about choosing schools, letters of recommendation, optional essays, and more. With that in mind, now is a perfect time to share our popular law school application guide "Creating A Killer Law School Application." This guide is a collaborative effort with some of the top law school admissions consultants in the country. These include: Admissions Dean, Law School Expert, Anna Ivey … [Read more...]
Should I Choose a Part-Time Law School Program?
Ah, to attend part-time law school or not to attend part-time. That is the question. For many students, the decision is a no-brainer. Attending a full-time program is the only way to go. But what happens when you don't have the time or need/want to continue working full-time while you attend law school? That's when part-time programs start looking very attractive.Many students, however, are reticent about even considering a part-time … [Read more...]