Law School Scammerships (Ep. 330)
Today’s episode is all about law school admissions. The guys reveal the telltale signs of law school “scammerships.” They also discuss cycle updates, application myths, addendums, and law schools averaging applicant LSAT scores. Plus, they crown a new winner of the Spotify Wrapped competition and kick around more ideas on how to “gamify” the LSAT.
As always, if you like the show and you want to get more from the Thinking LSAT community, check out the links below. You can connect with other folks studying for the LSAT and get more useful resources from Nathan and Ben.
12.29.2021 — February LSAT Registration Deadline
1.15.2022 — January LSAT
2.2.2022 — January LSAT Score Release
2.3.2022 — March LSAT Registration Deadline
2.12.2022 — February LSAT
3.3.2022 — February LSAT Score Release
03:45 - Spotify Wrapped + a Cycle Update
Listener Palmer sent Ben and Nathan a screenshot showing that he has listened to 11,277 minutes of the podcast this year. Palmer is now the leader with almost double what was previously the leading time! If any other superfans out there can beat Palmer’s record, send your Spotify Wrapped screenshot to help@thinkinglsat.com.
Palmer also shares his law school application statistics and an update on how his cycle is going so far. Ben and Nathan remind listeners that applying early in the cycle is the best way to set yourself up for success.
13:00 - Podcast Ratings
Ben and Nathan encourage listeners to review the Thinking LSAT podcast. They would love to hear your feedback, both negative and positive, to make the show a better experience for you and other listeners. The guys read two recent reviews and discuss what they hope listeners are gaining from the podcast overall.
18:00 - Pearls vs. Turds
Demon team member Erik forwarded an email from Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, with the subject, “LSAT Myths: Debunked!” The email lists three LSAT “myths” and attempts to debunk each one. Ben and Nathan proceed to debunk GMU’s debunking. They get the impression that this email is just an attempt to gain more applicants.
Scoreboard: 16 pearls, 58 turds, 24 ties. Got a pearl v turd candidate? Email help@thinkinglsat.com, or find us on social @thinkinglsat.
41:32 - When to Write an Addendum
Listener and LSAT Demon student M is curious about when to write a GPA addendum. M has a 3.69 GPA overall but a 3.92 GPA in their major. The guys agree that M should write a GPA addendum—but keep it short and sweet. Focus on the positives rather than the negatives.
54:08 - Gamifying the LSAT
Listener Alan makes a few suggestions on how to “gamify” the LSAT to make it more fun to teach and to learn. The guys discuss these ideas, and Ben announces some new LSAT Demon features that are currently in development and coming soon.
If you have any ideas on how to gamify the LSAT, email help@thinkinglsat.com.
58:05 - Averaging Your LSAT Score?
Listener A shares an email thread from Belmont University that describes averaging applicant LSAT scores for scholarship consideration. Belmont informed A that they aren’t eligible for a scholarship due to their LSAT average being lower than the school’s median LSAT score. The guys discuss how this policy is likely to negatively impact a school’s profile and ranking. They urge Belmont to reconsider how they evaluate LSAT scores to benefit both their students and the school overall.