EthicalAttorney (2022-2023)

5/29: Just accepted off the waitlist at UW-Madison. I'm speechless, and VERY excited. Did not think I would get in.

6/2: I've decided to post a little bit about my experiences this cycle--hopefully this will help some future applicants out.

LSAT:
Let me say first that I am not a non-traditional or unique applicant: despite how important the LSAT is in determining your acceptances and, of course, scholarship dollars, it is not absolute. A high GPA combined with a well-crafted personal statement can greatly enhance your chances of admission at a top school even if your LSAT score is low. I've noticed that many people on here talk about the Law School Predictor....with all due respect to the individual(s) that created it, the "formula" is highly unreliable. There is no way that any mathematical algorithm, no matter how thoroughly designed, can recreate what goes through the mind of admissions officers--it is fundamentally a decision-making process by humans. The predictor was DEAD WRONG on most of my applications including UW-Madison. Do not waste your time or energy.

Personal Statement:
Instead of focusing on the predictor, I would concentrate on your PS because this is crucial in determining which schools will accept you. Even those applicants with high "numbers" (i.e. LSAT GPA) can sabotage their application with a poorly written PS. Unless a school specifically requests it, DO NOT write a generic "why I want to go to law school" essay. Why? Because it is boring, lacks originality, and most admissions officers have heard it all before. What I recommend instead is taking the opportunity to share an experience with the admissions committee that they cannot have known from reading your resume. Remember they are looking for diversity not just in terms of ethnicity, but also in terms of life experiences. Your PS must be detailed, and if you are a marginal applicant, it must be flawless with no glaring grammar errors or poorly constructed sentences. Be sure to "hook" the reader in using all those of literary techniques you learned in English class.

Please feel free to PM me with questions.

6/9: Received an email at work stating that I had been accepted at Illinois! Plus a $5,000 scholarship. Very blessed and thankful.

7/17: Finally made my law school decision today. Very excited to be a Badger in the fall. It was very difficult to decide between Illinois and UW...hope this is the right decision.

7/18: And today, IU-Bloomington admitted me....wow. I've been blessed throughout this entire cycle. I'll continue to say it: the schools look at much more than just your LSAT score.