lawskewl22 (2018-2019)

Good softs, cohesive narrative/unified application

With the last WL from NYU my cycle is complete!
Schools accepted with 164 LSAT: Baylor, SMU, UH, Berkeley, UT, U Mich, Vanderbilt, Cornell, USC
All other schools accepted after 168 score, scholarships massively increased on receiving retake score.
I didn't get outright rejected anywhere, but got quite a few waitlists. I honestly think that a cohesive narrative + reverse splitter status is definitely good enough to get into schools ranked 8-20. I wrote every single optional essay and submitted a diversity and Why X statement to every school I applied to. My academic background is underrepresented in law, which is what the diversity statement was about, pick something about yourself that is unique and frame how it will contribute to the academic atmosphere at whatever school you're applying to. Its really a crapshoot though to which ones so apply broadly and don't be too picky. I think the EE bump combined with everything else is incredibly real, I overperformed my numbers substantially.

Retaking in January was the best decision I ever made, the 4 point bump was the difference is hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship money. I took the LSAT 3 times, it didn't hurt me at all.

I decided NU for personal and financial reasons (UT was my top choice initially, I EDed there and was deferred). I didn't see myself ending up there at the beginning of the cycle, but it has turned out to be for the best! I am absolutely stoked to be headed to law school in the Fall. I hope this helps future applicants.