A Slower Cycle (Maya Russell) (Ep. 440)
Nathan is joined by Maya Russell, chair of the Pre-Law Advisor National Council, for an insightful discussion of the law school admissions process. Maya provides expert analysis of the rapidly changing admissions landscape, highlights common mistakes made by law school applicants, and outlines key questions to ask when deciding where to apply and attend.
3:09 - Application Timing
In a recent study focusing on application timing, AccessLex found that historically underrepresented applicants who apply early tend to have better admissions chances than those who apply late. Nathan and Ben acknowledge the findings, but they’re unconvinced by AccessLex’s methodology and recommendations. The guys express their concerns about the study and about law school pipeline programs in general.
25:08 - Maya Russell, Pre-Law Advisor
Maya Russell is a pre-law advisor at Furman University and chair of the Pre-Law Advisor National Council (PLANC). Maya recounts her path to becoming a pre-law advisor and describes what the job entails.
45:06 - Law School Scholarships
Maya and Nathan agree that law school is overpriced and that applicants should seek the best merit scholarships available to them. They discuss how successful applicants prioritize GPA before LSAT, apply broadly, and evaluate the potential return on their investment before committing to a law school.
1:11:02 - Admissions Advice
Maya encourages patience during this unusually slow application cycle. She attributes the slowdown primarily to last year’s Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action and suggests that law schools are testing new ways to attract and admit a diverse pool of applicants. Maya and Nathan consider the long-term impact of the SCOTUS decision. And they caution applicants not to be in such a rush to attend law school.
1:39:48 - LSAT Alternatives
Some law schools now accept LSAT alternatives, like the GRE or JD-Next. Maya believes that most applicants should stick with the LSAT.
1:46:43 - LSAT Writing
Maya explains why law schools may start paying closer attention to applicants’ LSAT Writing samples. She warns listeners to read applications carefully for restrictions on the use of AI.
1:50:56 - Medical Disclosures
Maya urges applicants to keep their medical histories out of their personal statements.
2:00:15 - Words of the Week
LSAT advice is often deranged. Ben and Nathan aim to elucidate the test.