A listener writes in after a disappointing first round of scholarship offers. Ben and Nathan explain that initial offers are rarely a school’s best, they’re just the starting point. They reassure the listener that more and better offers are still on the way.

Also in this episode:

- Whether taking the January LSAT is too late to apply this cycle

- Questions about Harvard’s Junior Deferral Program

- A deeper look at one of the newest members of the T14: WashU

Links Mentioned:

Derek T. Muller Article: https://excessofdemocracy.com/blog/2017/12/a-secret-small-world-of-other-law-school-admissions

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0:00 - Is the January LSAT Too Late?23:45 - Receiving Bad Scholarships 35:24 - When Do I Know When I’m Ready?43:05 - Follow–Up on Cheating45:18 - Harvard’s Junior Deferral Program1:07:45 - Demon Team Tracker1:09:19 - What’s the Deal with… WashU1:36:54 - Word of the Week — Propinquity

A listener writes in asking whether they should retake a 173, worried that a future attempt could be lower. Ben and Nathan explain why they should be willing to use all four remaining attempts: law schools only care about your highest score, and every point, especially for higher scores, can turn into thousands of dollars.

Also in this episode:

• - When applicants can expect scholarship responses from law schools

• - Advice from Demon students who crushed the LSAT

• - Another brave contestant steps up for the Personal Statement Gong Show

  
  

• Links Mentioned:

  https://lsat.link/grades

  Study with our Free Plan⁠

  ⁠Download our iOS app⁠

  Watch Episode 533 on YouTube

  Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segments

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  0:00 - Following the Demon Way

  3:30 - When Will I Hear Back on Scholarships?

  9:31 - Medians Above 4.00

  24:25 - Tips from Deparing Demons

  31:40 - Should I Retake a 173?

  36:35 - Light at the End of the Tunnel

  50:56 - Personal Statement Gong Show

  1:05:23 - Word of the Week — Anachronism

When LSAC accused a student of cheating, claiming his score jump had “Powerball odds,” Ben and Nathan dig into the details. They break down LSAC’s vague statistical claims and explain why big score increases are both possible and common for serious students. They also urge the student to document their prep to show clear evidence of progress.

Also in this episode:

Early 1L and 2L law firm hiring trends

A student asks whether to keep taking undergrad classes to boost their GPA

Should you ask law schools for an application fee waiver?

Links Mentioned:

https://lsat.link/grades

⁠Study with our Free Plan⁠

⁠Download our iOS app⁠

Watch Episode 532 on YouTube

Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segments
Get caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library

0:00 - Is It Ever Worth Paying for Law School?

23:40 - LSAC Accuses a Student of Cheating

49:20 - 1L and 2L Law Firm Hiring Trends

56:37 - Should I Keep Taking Classes?

1:03:37 - Community Colleges Offering A+ Grades

1:09:59 - Pearls vs. Turds

1:15:06 - Should You Ask for a Fee Waiver?

1:19:44 - Word of the Week — Demarcating

Since the October score release, there's been some online chatter claiming the October LSAT was unusually difficult. Nathan and Ben respond to one student's concerns by pointing to numerous Demon students who crushed the LSAT this month. They remind listeners that every test administration sparks the same rumors, but the LSAT remains consistent from one test to the next. That consistency should inspire confidence. If your practice test scores match your goal score, you’re ready for the real deal.

Also in this episode:

- Ben and Nathan explore community colleges awarding A-pluses

- Demon students share their parting advice for LSAT success

- They critique a prep company that promotes a “blind review” score

Links Mentioned:

lsat.link/grades

Northeast Community College Course Search: https://reg-prod.ec.northeast.edu/StudentRegistrationSsb/ssb/term/termSelection?mode=search

Foothill College Course Search: https://foothill.edu/schedule/

Arizona State University Universal Learner Courses: https://courses.ulc.asu.edu/

⁠Study with our Free Plan⁠

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Watch Episode 531 on YouTube

Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segments.

Get caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library.

0:30 - Was the October LSAT Harder?

7:45 - Drill Rating System

12:51 - Colleges with A-pluses

25:32 - Tips From Departing Demons

39:24 - Blind Review Score

53:08 - Lived Experience Essay

1:00:00 - Personal Statement Gong Show

1:07:55 - Word of the Week — incommunicado

Nathan and Ben highlight a notable increase in law school applications per the latest LSAC reports. These numbers have nervous students rushing to apply this cycle, even though they don't have a strong LSAT score. Nathan and Ben explain that November is already late. Instead, they encourage applicants to wait and apply next year to take advantage of the best scholarship opportunities.

Also in this episode:

• • Gratitude from a listener who embraced the Demon mindset
  • A message from Nebraska Law about student loans
  • A Demon student questions whether to keep going after low scores

• Links Mentioned:

  LSAC Volume Summary Report

  ⁠Study with our Free Plan⁠

  ⁠Download our iOS app⁠

  Watch Episode 530 on YouTube

  Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” Segments.

  Get caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library.

  
  

  0:30 - LSAC Volume Summary Report

  10:10 - Following the Demon Philosophy

  17:13 - When to Submit Applications

  29:56 - Email from a Law School on Loan Limits

  44:46 - Low LSAT Scores

  51:27 - What’s the Deal with the University of Arizona

  1:05:00 - Personal Statement Gong Show

  1:12:28 - Word of the Week - impervious

Ben and Nathan explain why applying broadly maximizes admissions and scholarship opportunities. They advise students to consider waiting another cycle to submit the strongest application possible.

Also in this episode:

• An Ask-button question about reading each passage thoroughly

• Ben and Nathan’s take on law school applications that ask where else you’ve applied

• Advice on whether to waive your right to view letters of recommendation

Links Mentioned:

Register for the Los Angeles LSAC Forum: http://lsac.org/lawschoolforums

⁠Study with our Free plan⁠

⁠Download our iOS app⁠

Watch Episode 529 on YouTube

Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segments.

Get caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library.

0:30 - Reading Every Passage Thoroughly

7:26 - “Where Have You Applied?” on Law School Apps

10:18 - Is It Still Worth Applying?

23:16 - Tips from Departing Demons

24:53 - To Waive, or Not to Waive

30:00 - What’s the Deal with Santa Clara Law?

51:02 - Personal Statement Gong Show

1:14:38 - Word of the Week - Guffaw

Ben and Nathan weigh in on New England Law’s conditional, full-tuition scholarships. They criticize conditional scholarships that can leave a majority of students paying full price. At most law schools, only top students (typically those already with scholarships) will secure six-figure jobs. The majority of the class foot the bill, taking out exorbitant loans while earning significantly less after graduation. Ben and Nathan encourage applicants to apply broadly and attend the right school at the right price.

Later in the show, they:

• Break down UC Law San Francisco’s new $100 million campaign

• Reassure a student who fears they’re progressing too slowly

• React to WashU personally contacting applicants’ recommenders

Links Mentioned:

Register for the DC Law Fair

Register for the New York LSAC Forum

⁠Study with our Free Plan⁠

⁠Download our iOS app⁠

Watch Episode 528 on YouTube

Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” Segments.

Get caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library.

0:32 - UC Law San Francisco $100 Million “Into the Future” Campaign

6:00 - Trusting the Process

13:48 - WashU Reaching out to Recommenders

29:30 - Policies on AI

39:15 - Caught Between Admissions Cycles

45:20 - Pearls vs. Turds

57:24 - What’s the Deal with New England Law?

1:13:05 - Personal Statement Gong Show

1:35:30 - Word of the Week

Ben and Nathan dig into the ABA’s decision to put Cooley Law School on probation and the broader issue of weak oversight in legal education. They also cover addenda for multiple LSAT scores, early acceptances, and retaking for better scholarships.

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Watch Episode 527 on YouTube

0:28 - Cooley Law on Probation by the ABA

Ben and Nathan react to the news that Cooley Law has been placed on probation by the American Bar Association for failing to meet bar passage standards. They question why the ABA continues to allow such programs to operate and highlight the risks for students who enroll in them.

24:45 - Addenda for LSAT retakes

Demon student Sam asks about Michigan Law’s recommendation that applicants submit an addendum if they’ve taken the LSAT three or more times. Nathan advises against volunteering information that could hurt an application and emphasizes that only your highest score matters.

37:43 - Early Application Is Key

A Redditor reports being admitted to the University of Hawaii with a generous scholarship. Ben and Nathan use the example to remind applicants that applying early gives them the best shot at admissions and scholarships.

57:09 - Retaking a 173 for Scholarships

Demon student Jack scored a 173 and wonders whether it’s worth retaking. Ben and Nathan say yes, especially if he’s targeting top schools. They advise him to wait another cycle and keep studying to become a stronger, more competitive applicant.

1:06:20 - UGA Law Lets Undergrads Skip the LSAT

The University of Georgia Law School now allows its undergraduates to apply using ACT or SAT scores instead of the LSAT. Nathan argues that this limits students to only UGA Law and weakens their scholarship leverage. Ben adds that the policy ultimately does a disservice to the students.

1:12:41 - Georgetown Law Group Interview

Demon student Jeremiah describes a Georgetown group interview where participants analyzed a hypothetical applicant. Ben and Nathan break down how to handle this kind of exercise: play along with the scenario, and show reasonable judgment.

1:20:11 - Personal Statement Gong Show

Casey takes the stage on the Personal Statement Gong Show, chasing Sophia’s record of 34 lines.

1:38:17 - Word of the Week: Dispositive

“The panel directed counsel to focus oral argument on the dispositive issues.”
Get caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library.