Short summary: DO IT. It's money well-spent.

A quick shoutout to 7Sage's courses and admission consulting service. Saved my sanity after my first LSAT being way below my expected score. I came from a non-traditional background for law school, and 7Sage was able to guide me through school selection and essay drafting. Most importantly, follow ups from schools (additional essays, interviews) that made all the difference to my application. My advisor, Sarika, was patient and proactive. She fully allowed me to dig my own story while guiding me in the right direction - which was significantly easier and more efficient than wandering on my own!

My take on admission consulting is that, for a fraction of the tuition you are about to pay, you get the peace of mind that you will be able to show your best side to admission officers, which may end up in huge saving if you a) got into a better school or b) got a scholarship.

And if it helps clarifying my stand, I DID get into my dream school. And I compared 7sage vs. other Admission consulting firms.

7 Sage is probably the most reasonably priced service, but you do get (a lot) one-on-one working time, and you can feel that attention (Procrastinator alert!). And I would be happy to answer any questions if you want my grain of salt on 7Sage's service.

Hope this helps!

I’m entering my final year of undergrad. I’m able to graduate in December (one semester early) with a 3.6x GPA and I’m taking a gap year to work full time and finish up on preparing for the LSAT (aiming for a 170+).

I’m currently taking 7Sage Ultimate+ and will be practice testing with blind review for at least the next 8-10 months (already been studying with PowerScore for one month). I’m working full time right now for the summer at an internship and will be in class during the school semester, so this timeline works for me. I will apply in September 2020 for law school to enter in Fall 2021.

If I graduate in December, I will have a high 3.6x GPA and then begin working full time and continuing to study for the LSAT.

However, I could also stay for the final semester and graduate in May. I would take easier courses and spend more time with my professors that will write my recommendation letters. By doing this I can achieve a low 3.7x GPA. I also find studying for the LSAT to be easier while in college than working full time (more free time to study for LSAT).

Is it worth graduating normally to get a low 3.7x GPA as opposed to graduating early with a high 3.6x to get into a T14 (assuming I get a 170+ on the LSAT)?

Thank you for your help!

Because law school applications won't become available for at least another month or two, I'm trying to figure out roughly how much time each will take. Do all of the top 10 have additional essays, or are most applications easily/quickly filled out and submitted? Just trying to plan ahead and schedule time. Thanks!

Does anyone know how many recommendation letters you can upload to CAS? I have more than three recommenders targeting different schools and am not sure whether LSAC lets you upload more than three. Thanks

I only recently decided to aim for law school (finished my BA in 2015 and decided in 2018 that I would try to write the LSAT). I have now been on/off studying for the LSAT and wrote it once already and got a 152. My plan is to write the test a couple more times to see what mark I can get and apply asap. But I am stressed that this whole process of getting a decent mark on the LSAT, getting together an application, finding people to give me recommendations (I don't think any of my professors even remember me), etc. is going to take another year or so. I am panicked that this is taking too long and I have this feeling that other people have done all this in way less time. Am I a total loser? Is it normal to take two years to get a decent LSAT mark and get together a decent application with decent recommendation letters? I will add that I am 28 so I also have a contributing feeling of being "old" or "behind" already...

I would love to hear about other people's experiences!

Each school decides what to ask and how to phrase the questions in their Character and Fitness section of the application. Questions and wording may change from cycle to cycle based on state bar requirements or desires of faculty or administrators.

If you answer yes to any questions, be clear and thorough in your explanations. If you have any criminal convictions, a committee of administrators, faculty, and counsel would meet to discuss the application.

If you list offenses, the Admissions Committee could ask itself

The most important thing the Committee is looking for is to see if you take ownership of your actions. In your short, factual explanation, help the Committee get to the point where they invite you to attend the school without having to ask you more questions. Your explanation should answer any potential question the Committee might raise. You want the Committee to reach a conclusion based on your words, not any assumptions they make on their own.

I'm having issues with my personal statement and would like someone to look it over. Is this a possiblity with 7sage?

I'm still debating if to apply this cycle or wait for next, as I'm currently straight out of undergrad and am starting an awesome new job!

How old will you be when starting law school? How many years of work experience will you have by then? :)

Do you guys use the same personal statement when you are reapplying to the same law schools for the next cycle?

Hey Everyone,

I am getting ready to request my letters of rec for law school. I am going on my second year out of being out of college, and I have a really strong work and volunteer (community) recs in mind. However, I am not sure how to get ask my one of my professors for a letter of rec. I have two that I knew well because I was in office hours a lot, and one of them wrote me a letter for a program before..but I forgot to keep in touch. Anyone have any examples of how they would approach a professor that has helped them before but they haven't kept it touch with?

I am asking because I feel its weird after two years just to pop up in email asking for something.

My specific question surrounding LSAC GPA is: I am enrolled in a Spanish class next semester to boost my GPA. However, I already earned the language credits required by my undergrad back in high school (IB Classes). Even though this course will count towards my GPA and I am certainly getting credit, it is not technically towards my degree, since I do not need it; I already earned the credits before undergrad. Will the LSAC not count this class? There is nothing on my transcript that will indicate it was an unneeded class.

How important is the written portion of the LSAT? Considering admissions boards will have a personal statement, essays you've written, and so forth, how much do they really consider the written part of the LSAT? I did the written part in March, but with the June administration (which I took), it's online and optional I believe. I'm considering doing the June LSAT written portion as well since I could probably do a better job on it than the March one, but I'm wondering whether it's worth the time, since I've heard the written part of the LSAT is nearly ignored.

Hi everyone,

We just updated our blog post "Should You Take the GRE Instead of the LSAT in 2019–2020?" with new admissions data and advice from current admissions deans. The post also includes a table of every school that accepts the GRE and the number of students who actually got into the first-year 2018 class without an LSAT score. Check it out!

https://classic.7sage.com/should-you-take-the-gre-instead-of-the-lsat

So ive been out of school for 5 years. I feel like my current employer would be in the best position to write my recommendation letter, however, my current employer doesnt know about my law school yet. Does anyone have tips on asking your current employer for a recommendation?

Should I write seperate Why X essays for each law school I'm applying to or should I make one template essay and go back and make necessary changes depending on the law school I'm applying to.

Hi everyone, this is my first post here.

Some background: I previously applied to law school two years ago, I was accepted, but did not attend. I did not include a C&F addendum on my previous application and I do not plan on applying to the same school during this cycle. I am a pretty anxious person and I tend to overthink everything, of course law school applicants are no exception.

When I was around 10 - 12 I was out with a friend when he was caught shoplifting. I knew he was doing it, but did not take anything myself. We were taken to the back by loss prevention and they did call the police. My friend was older than me and he was charged with shoplifting. I am 25 now and I honestly do not remember many details from the event. I cannot decide if I should include a short addendum about the event since I was involved. Would it be silly to include? I did not include it on my previous application two years ago, if I include it now would that be an issue? (Not the same school)

The addendum would be something similar to this:

"In the interested of full disclosure I am writing this addendum to detail an event that occurred while I was a juvenile. While shopping with a friend at a Walmart, I was present when he shoplifted but did not shoplift from the store myself. The police were called but I was not charged with any crime."

As I said, I am an anxious person. My fear is that it might cause an issue in the future, maybe with the bar C&F.

Thanks for any feedback! :)

Hey all! I have a friend who is in the process of transferring law schools and could use some advice from the 7sage community. Anything would help, here it is:

Hello, I was accepted at UCLA and Northwestern as a transfer; i.e., I will be paying sticker at both, but if I go to UCLA I will not have to take out any loans (savings). I will have to take out loans for the last year at Northwestern (80k).

If, ideally, I want to work in SoCal BigLaw, what would be the smarter course of action: attending UCLA or Northwestern?

After performing a basic cost-benefit analysis, I am leaning towards UCLA, on the theory that the benefit of attending Northwestern (ending up at median and still getting BigLaw) has largely disappeared, while the benefit of attending UCLA (attending school and networking in my target market) is still in play. Further, the cost of attending UCLA (the risk of ending up at median and doing poorly at OCI for that reason) has already dissipated, while the cost of attending Northwestern (taking out loans for the last year) is still in play.

Given my SoCal focus and above-median grades (top 25% at BC/BU), I don't see much of a benefit to attending Northwestern, other than the added prestige of being in the T14 as opposed to the T20. Are there factors I'm missing here?

Said another way, will I see any meaningful boost in SoCal employment prospects by going to Northwestern, or will my top 1/4 GPA at BC/BU be sufficient at UCLA for my OCI process to be similar as between both schools (if I am targeting SoCal biglaw). I am thinking that at this point my OCI process will be the same at both schools and that it will really come down to my interviewing skills. If so, I don't see a point to take out loans to attend Northwestern.

Thanks for your responses! I’ve attached a poll below as well.

Hi I'm considering applying for early decision asap (so october or earliest possible). My numbers aren't spectacular: 166 LSAT with 3.78 GPA, but the LSAT predictor says ill have about a 50% chance at NYU Law and like 23% Columbia. Now, my dream school is Columbia Law, but I would be happy with NYU Law as well. Which one should I apply for? Any advice?

Hey guys, wanted to get your take on my situation. I am a Canadian student who graduated from the University of Toronto this year with an Honours BA. I finished with a UGPA of 3.54 and I am PT-ing in the 163-165 range right now. UCLA is my first choice for American schools and if I get in I will 100% accept the offer. I am wondering if it is worth it for me to apply early binding. I am not dead set on the US and will potentially go to U of T law if I am admitted but UCLA has always been a dream and I plan to practice in California. Would love to hear your thoughts!

From conversations with LSAC representatives at the recent NAPLA conference--

About the Digital LSAT test:

• Test takers will have a little time to practice using the provided LSAC tablet and stylus/pen on test day before the start of the actual test on test day.

• Test takers have the option to bring pencils. They will be given scratch paper to work through problems.

• The digital LSAT has a spellcheck function but it will not provide suggestions for correct spelling like a typical spellchecker.

About the typed LSAT essay:

• The retake limit for the LSAT essay section is same as the LSAT multiple choice section but law schools will only receive the last three (3) essay exams. Candidates cannot choose which essays go to the law schools.

• The LSAT essay section is not scored. Law schools receive it assess the candidate’s analytical and persuasive writing skills in a timed controlled environment. Typed essay submissions will likely receive more scrutiny from admissions committees as compared to handwritten essays in the past.

• LSAC will consider an LSAT exam "complete" when it has results from both the multiple choice and essay sections, and the results will be sent to the law schools. If, at that point, the candidate intends to retake either section of the test and wants the law school to delay their review of his file, the candidate has to inform the school directly.

• If a candidate has taken the multiple choice section of the test but not the essay section, LSAC will not send any results information to the law school.

LSAC has posted its fall 2019 recruitment forums at https://www.lsac.org/lawschoolforums. Put on your best business casual and attend one or two.

• Forums are an opportunity for candidates to meet with admissions officers and school representatives (sometimes current students, alumni, or faculty) from a variety of law schools in one place.

• It is a chance to ask questions that might not be answerable on a law school’s website.

• Candidates can ask specific questions about their particular situation (“how would School X react to 6 LSAT scores??”)

• It is a chance to collect business cards, establish a connection with an admissions officer, and show enthusiasm for a school.

• It is a chance to get on the school’s radar and mailing list as an interested prospective student. You can look forward to receiving fee waivers and invitations to other prospective student events in the fall.

Referencing specific conversations and connections from forums in personal statements or future LOCIs may strengthen an application. Be prepared to ask a few smart questions and make a strong impression. This is prime recruitment season for admissions officers and they are on the lookout for good future students.

Suggestions:

https://classic.7sage.com/admissions/lesson/what-questions-should-you-ask-a-law-school-admissions-officer/ and https://classic.7sage.com/admissions/lesson/what-should-you-ask-current-law-students-or-alumni-about-their-law-school/.

Hi. I have a quick question on the practicalities of LoR submissions. When I submit a request for a LoR on LSAC to my recommender, I understand that she will be receiving an email. But how would she submit the recommendation letter itself, practically speaking?

... hope you get the gist of my question. I'd imagine this would be written down somewhere but couldn't find it. And thought I should know before asking the recommender to write something for me!

Many thanks in advance.

Anyone knows law schools use cumulative or degree GPA (from LSAC) for their 509 report?

Also, which GPA is more important for law schools when they review students’ application ?

Thank you!!

Does anyone know how US GPA's convert over to Canadian GPAs? Specifically to schools in Ontario. I can't find anything online and the conversion chart on OSLAS is confusing to me. I have an LSAC GPA of 3.89 with only one B on my transcript for all four undergrad years (although,it is a B- in a 5 credit course). Also, my university did not have grades of A+. A+'s would be considered an A.

If anyone has any insight on the 2 last years or 3 best years or whatever that is I'd love to have more information on that as well!

Thanks!

From LSAC's website (https://www.lsac.org/lsat/taking-lsat/lsat-faqs):

LSAC is updating their test-taking limit policy later this summer, and it will go into effect with the September 2019 LSAT administration.

Starting with the September 2019 test administration, test takers will be permitted to take the LSAT:

Three times in a single testing year (the testing year goes from June 1 to May 31).

Five times within the current and five past testing years (the period in which LSAC reports scores to law schools).

A total of seven times over a lifetime.

This policy is forward-looking, not retroactive. Tests taken prior to September 2019 will not count against these numerical limits.

In addition, test takers will not be permitted to retake the LSAT if they have already scored a 180 (perfect score) within the current and five past testing years, the period in which LSAC reports scores to law schools. This aspect of the policy will be applied retroactively.

There will be an appeals process for test takers who have special circumstances and want to request an exception to this policy.