Semicolon Reduction Program (Ep. 149)
The boys are…back?…from their Thinking LSAT live class in NYC. Well, Ben is anyway. Nathan got sucked in to the city that never sleeps and has been wandering The High Line, eating tacos, and staying out ‘til 4 A.M. The guys reminisce about their smashing time in the big apple and give a huge thank you to you, dear listeners, for making the Thinking LSAT community so much gosh darn fun.
If you’re bummed you missed out, never fear. The guys are headed back to NYC for another class on August 25-26. Sign up here.
Today on the show, Nathan and Ben review two personal statements back to back, take a look at some wretched writing coming out of the Antonin Scalia Law School, and offer answers to listener questions.
If you’re just joining us, or even if you’ve been a long-time listener, make sure to get all the Thinking LSAT you can get. Join the growing community on Facebook. Watch on YouTube. Tweet @ us. Or send us some spare change on Patreon. And if you’re looking for some help with your personal statement, the guys’ personal-statement review service will whip your writing into shape and set you up for success with your upcoming application cycle.
10:40 – Facebook-group member Ezra posted a chart tracking his LSAT prep over more than 30 practice tests. And it sure is insightful. Over the course of several months, Ezra had to grind it out to get his score from the low 150s to 170. The arduous journey was worth the work, but Ezra says that when you’re in the thick of it, it sure doesn’t feel like you’re making any progress. But onward, LSAT Padawans. Awards await!
14:48 – Email 1—Last year, Sabrina sat for the LSAT and smashed out a 155. Then she studied her ass off and eeked her practice-test scores up to the mid 160s. Feeling pretty solid, she sat for the June LSAT ready to kill it. Unfortunately, she just got her June score back and she rang in a 158. That’s a bummer when you’ve been hooking up the 160-somethings. And the worst part? The summer is like the easiest time to take the test. No stress. Not a ton of work. You know, summer. But in the fall, Sabrina’s going to be working 80 hours a week between two jobs and is worried that if she can’t hit her target score during the easy season, she’ll fare even worse if she sits for the September test. Plus, her family members are pressuring her to simply apply to law school with the scores she has. Or, like, not got at all. She wants some perspective and advice from the Thinking LSAT duo, and they happily oblige.
22:36 – Email 2—A representative at the Antonin Scalia Law School emails the guys claiming that ASLS students know a thing or two about writing. Indeed, law firms apparently love ASLS graduates because of their impressive writing skills. So, of course, Nathan and Ben rip the email to shreds for sounding like it was penned by an uppity high schooler. Better luck next time GMU!
31:24 – Email 3—Remember back when Ben and Nathan were all like “yo, make sure you sign up for both the June and July tests just in case your June score doesn’t make you smile?” Well, Yiliana didn’t listen. And guess what. She’s pissed something awful. After scoring in the 160s for weeks she was bummed to receive a 158 in June. Now she’s even more bummed that she has to wait all the way until September to take the test again! Let this be a cautionary tale, ye test preppers. Sign up for multiple tests, or prepare to (possibly) wallow in sadness if you don’t get the score you’re hoping for the first time ‘round.
32:48 – Email 4—The guys jump into—get ready—back-to-back personal-statement reviews. That’s right, dear listeners. Back. To. Back. Two of ‘em. Dos. First up, the gents look at the personal statement of long-time correspondent Spicy Butt and proceed to give comprehensive feedback.
1:03:40 – Email 5—Strap in, friends, for the second of two personal statement reviews. The guys are immediately enthralled by Anon’s action-packed writing. But as the document wears on, the guys get fatigued. And by the end, they’ve got the statement in tatters.