Thinking LSAT

A student writes in asking whether they should focus on studying for the LSAT while having a low GPA. Ben and Nathan advise them to prioritize focusing on earning the best possible grades before beginning LSAT prep.Also in this episode:- A question about choosing between law schools with a $15,000 difference- Advice a student received from another prep company- When to send a letter of continued interestStudy with our Free Plan⁠⁠Download our iOS app⁠Watch Episode 540 on YouTubeCheck out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segmentsGet caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library0:00 Test D Question “Animal Owners”  19:13 Things We Enjoy23:03 The $15,000 Difference33:43 Pearls v. Turds39:57 Leaving the Demon42:55 Focusing on Your GPA53:22 Retaking a 1751:05:18 When to Send a LOCI1:10:20 Word of the Week — flummoxed

The ABA has released new 509 data revealing how LSAT and GPA medians have shifted over the past year, along with updated data into how schools are distributing scholarships. Ben and Nathan break down the numbers and react to several schools that have made significant changes.Also in this episode:- How to handle LSAT questions you’ve seen before- The Arkansas Supreme Court allows lawyers to use AI in their work- Should a listener prioritize location or ranking for law school?https://lsat.link/509Study with our Free Plan⁠⁠Download our iOS app⁠Watch Episode 539 on YouTubeCheck out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segmentsGet caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library0:00 LSAT Question on Pinched Nerves19:46 New 509 Reports40:10 Repeat Questions50:47 Fourth RC Passage Strategy55:30 Arkansas Supreme Court Updates Rules on AI1:01:28 Accusation of Cheating1:18:00 Regional vs. T20 Law School1:27:55 Word of the Week — admonition1:34:22 Things We Like

The internet is full of opinions, and not all of them are kind. This week, Ben and Nathan dig into a reddit thread, reacting to some of the tougher criticisms aimed at the Demon and our co-hosts.Also in this episode:- Ben and Nathan react to Washington’s decision to retroactively lower its bar passage score- A listener asks whether applying Early Decision makes sense for top law schools- Whether a law school increasing its class size improves your odds of admissionStudy with our Free Plan⁠⁠Download our iOS app⁠Watch Episode 538 on YouTubeCheck out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segmentsGet caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library0:00 Making a Last Push on Next LSAT7:18 Should I Take the LSAT Again?23:48 Washington Lowering Bar Passage Requirements42:03 We Read Our Mean Comments1:03:10 Law Schools Increasing Class Sizes1:11:22 Can Early Decision Be Beneficial?1:22:55 Personal Statement Gong Show1:39:40 Word of the Week — penumbra

The FTC submitted a letter to the Texas Supreme Court supporting its decision to drop the ABA as the state’s official accreditor. Ben and Nathan agree that the ABA has been slow to modernize and often lags behind student needs, but they don’t fully align with the FTC’s reasoning. Also in this episode:- A listener asks whether to choose a part-time or full-time law program.- Whether to cancel an official score that comes in lower than a prior LSAT.- A personal statement  with an unusually bold opening.Links Mentioned:FTC Letter to Texas Supreme CourtStudy with our Free Plan⁠⁠Download our iOS app⁠Watch Episode 537 on YouTubeCheck out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segmentsGet caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ libraryQuestions? [email protected]:00 When to Take Practice Tests6:11 FTC Claims the ABA is a Monopoly21:43 Full-Time vs. Part-Time Law Programs29:47 Tips from Departing Demons35:02 Performing Worse on the First Section43:19 Cancelling a Lower Score46:45 Personal Statement Gong Show

Ben and Nathan dig into a striking chart showing dozens of schools clustering their LSAT medians at 150 and 160, while almost nobody reports 149 or 159. They break down why schools chase these round-number medians, how it leads to irrational admissions behavior, and what it means for applicants trying to play the rankings game.Also in this episode:- How applying without a GPA can affect your admissions chances- Success stories from Demon students who crushed the November LSAT- Why the University of North Carolina has climbed so quickly in the rankingsLinks Mentioned:Derek T. Muller ArticleStudy with our Free Plan⁠⁠Download our iOS app⁠Watch Episode 536 on YouTubeCheck out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segmentsGet caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library0:00 Retaking to Beat New Medians5:37 Applying with No GPA14:05 November LSAT Success20:05 The Irrational Pursuit of Round LSAT Medians27:20 Lower Scores When Timed34:50 Meeting with an Admissions Counselor39:35 What’s the Deal with University of North Carolina55:56 Word of the Week — Prolixity