Don't Fund Your Rivals (Ep. 498)
Law school tuition is designed to exploit the students willing to pay full price, even though very few actually do. This week, Ben and Nathan explain why the more you pay for law school, the more you subsidize your classmates' scholarships.
Later on, Ben and Nathan warn students not to confuse understanding with memorization. They caution listeners against taking on significant debt with the hope of loan forgiveness later. And they help a student pick a topic for his personal statement.
0:30 - Stuck on Questions
Devin struggles with complex questions no matter how long he spends on the passages. Ben and Nathan hypothesize that Devin may be falling into the trap of memorizing, but not understanding, the passage.
10:24 - Last Few Points
How do you go from a 170 to a 175? One student describes the daunting feeling accompanying the jump in those last few points. The guys advise him to slow down and attempt fewer questions in exchange for better accuracy. The only road to a 175+ is understanding every question you attempt.
15:25 - Do STEM Majors Get a Break?
One student is feeling pressure from her challenging science courses, which negatively affect her GPA. Nathan and Ben confirm that STEM majors receive some grace because of their difficult courseload, but that grace only comes with a high LSAT score. The first question a STEM major has to answer, though, is why she wants to be a lawyer.
28:13 - Don’t Depend on Student Loan Forgiveness
Nathan and Ben discuss recent changes to the public loan forgiveness program and income-driven repayment plans. They remind students that taking on significant debt with the expectation of future forgiveness is a gamble that can lead to disaster. Instead, they advise getting a score on the LSAT that will allow students to go to law school for free.
50:32 - Personal Statement Subject
Thinking LSAT is reviving its personal statement review segment. Nathan and Ben guide Demon student Tim through selecting a compelling topic. They advise him to use his statement to demonstrate his genuine interest in law by highlighting his experience working in the legal field. They emphasize the importance of showcasing exposure to law rather than relying on sensationalized or overly personal narratives.
57:55 - What’s the Deal With Arizona State University?
Brianna asks about Arizona State University’s new online program, and Ben and Nathan share their generally positive take on online law programs. But if you are considering attending ASU while paying full price, whether you’re studying online or not, you’re subsidizing your classmates' legal education. The guys also advise students to stay as far away as possible from ASU’s achievement program (and almost every binding early-decision program).
1:32:39 - Word of the Week
Which one of the following statements is consistent with the biologist’s claim but not with the politician’s claim?