Hi all, I posted this question on some other forums and there was a lot of division in the discussion so I've decided to post here as well for some further input.

I plan on applying to law school next cycle and I'm considering writing a diversity statement, but I'm not sure if I qualify/it would hurt my chances of admission.

Basically, growing up I was raised by a lesbian couple in a overwhelmingly Mormon neighborhood in the heart of Utah (I'm an IVF baby). I believe that because of my family background, I faced heavy discrimination/adversity growing up and that this adversity has heavily shaped the person that I am today. For example, in grade school most kids were disallowed/discouraged from talking or interacting with me due to my family background. I wasn't invited/allowed to participate in birthday parties, sleepovers, etc. Relentless bullying in school, teachers discriminated against my parents and I as well, and much much more.

Personally, I feel like this qualifies for a diversity statement, but I have two reservations...

I'm an otherwise normal straight white male, and I'm worried that this might disqualify me from being able to write a diversity statement. From reading around, it seems many believe that my position of privilege from my race/gender excludes experiencing the adversity that other LGBT/minority applicants have faced. It might sound silly, but I am worried that an admissions officer might disagree that my background qualifies as true diversity, and that this might negatively impact my application.

Clearly, the anti-LGBT stance of the Mormon church was one of the chief causes/influences of the adversity that I faced while young. I'm worried that if I write a diversity statement, it may come off as anti-religion, or otherwise offend the admissions council of these law schools.

What do you all think about this situation? Do you think I can write a diversity statement, or do you think it would be best to avoid the topic?

Office Hours with @"Accounts Playable" (Admissions-related)

Hey 7Sagers,

Sage David, a.k.a. @"Accounts Playable", will be offering office hours! This time, David will be answering your admissions-related questions.

David scored a 174 on the June 2016 LSAT and has been admitted to Harvard Law School in his second cycle of applying to law schools.

So bring your questions! Don't miss this chance!

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/945314133

You can also dial in using your phone.

United States: +1 (669) 224-3412

Access Code: 945-314-133

Joining from a video-conferencing room or system?

Dial: 67.217.95.2##945314133

Cisco devices: 945314133@67.217.95.2

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Hey everyone,

I'm taking a step back and redoing the CC. When I first did it, I went through it too fast to internalize what I learned.

After abandoning the LSAT for a while, I've decided to come back strong for one last shot.

I want to hit 170+ and am around the 150 range right now.

My plan in order:

1.) Go through The LSAT Trainer (BOOK), while building up my RC skill.

2.) Mastering LR by revisiting the CC, mainly focusing what I most need improvement on.

3.) Pacifico’s Logic Games Attack Strategy

4.) PTs and BR.

Ill supplement my learning watching webinars, visiting discussion pages, and engaging with the 7Sage community.

I hope to make it in time for the Sept test, but we'll see.

Any other recommendations, advice or feedback? I definitely need it. (I imagine I'll be tweaking my study schedule a bit).

What's your plan?

Edit*

Here is Pacifico’s Logic Games Attack Strategy:

https://classic.7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/2737/logic-games-attack-strategy/p1

I got approved for 50% extra time accommodations recently and I was wondering if I should be taking PTs and timed sections with the 52 minutes instead of the 35 minutes? Somewhere in-between?

Just wondering what some others with extra time are doing?

TY!

Hi all,

I've taken the LSAT before and scored a 164. I am currently PTing around 168-171. I'm retaking in June and would like to solidify my understanding of LR by helping someone who is scoring average to below average. If you are interested, please comment below or send me a direct message.

Thanks!

I go to a small liberal arts honors college (New College of Florida) which doesn't offer traditional grades. All of my classes are pass/fail and have a narrative evaluation system. Some of the places I've talked to don't want to see my evals at all, and will just bank my application on my LSAT. How much higher should I try to score to convince these schools to admit me?

Does anyone else have experience applying to schools with no GPA?

My diagnostic was 143.

Out of 4 tests in the past 4 weeks, my actual scores range from 149 to 159. I finished the CC several months ago. Ever since, I have been drilling and along some fool proofing. I have been trying to raise my competence in all sections, which is why I haven't done the1-36 fool proof yet. There has at least been some success in my efforts, as my BRs range from 172 to 177 - I don't know what my BR would have been on my diagnostic - I didn't know BR existed at the time.

I do take breaks every once and awhile. I've actually been taking a break for 4 days now, and I might stay away from any material for another day or two. I have been studying for this test since June of 2017 (I took August off because I was starting two new jobs and moved to new apartment). Given the fact that I have spent 9.5 months on the LSAT, as you can probably imagine, I'm conflicted with my progress. On one hand I am happy to see my BR be in the mid 170s; it took many hours and nights to get there. However, most importantly, I am frustrated that I'm averaging a 153 (roughly -7 to -10 on all section types). Some of this is attributed to lack of confidence/fear/anxiety, I'm sure. But, I've been around on these forums for quite some time now, and I don't recall seeing too many posts about people who have as great a difference between one's actual score vs BR score, which is unsettling.

I've read countless articles about this test, and my many hours of reading and research are telling me that speed is simply a measure of your level of understanding. So, how do I achieve that type of understanding? It seems that doing 35 minute timed sections isn't doing much for me at the moment, other than freak me out. Should I time myself doing a section and not stress the 35 minutes instead? It's weird because if I do timed sections in 35 minutes right now, I could form bad habits because I will be rushing. Too, I could form bad habits by doing sections with more time than what is normally allowed. Any suggestions as to what I should do in this respect? Should it be a combination of both?

My plan at the moment is to fool proof LG 1-36 and to get that down to -0. I also think focusing on LR and RC on the weekends so as to maintain what I have would be a good idea, but I plan on spending the bulk of weekdays doing full sections of LG and really trying to dissect how the games work. Beyond the fool proofing though, I really am at a loss as to what to do.

Thank you for your time.

P.S. - My goal is 170. My goal for quite some time now has been to take this thing in September - but the likelihood of that is decreasing as the days go by.

Registered late and the only option for me was Hilton..

Am I going to take a test inside the hotel? Did anyone took a test there? How was your experience.

Has anyone ever tested at the Marriott Washington Wardman Park? I was automatically reassigned to the Marriott from Trinity Washington which I belatedly heard is an awful test center, so I guess I got lucky. Curious if it's a new testing site or if anyone's been there and has insight into what to expect. Thanks!

Several of the law schools I'm looking at offer some intriguing dual-degree options (I'm most inclined toward an MA/JD) so I was wondering whether anyone is planning on taking this route as well or know of someone who has. The biggest advantage, at least on paper, is that it would take less time and given that the degree track is split up it seems like it would still be manageable.

I've been taking some courses from there but encountered some problems... (I purchased the mentor course but the site keeps saying I purchased the prime course).

I've tried to contact Larry many times but it seems like he is not checking his email... Is there anyone who knows how to contact him? I'm starting to get really worried...

Thanks!

Hello,

I was going over the concepts of necessary and sufficient conditions. Here are some terms I'm not sure how to interpret. Help would be appreciated:

"Assuming that A, B" or "B, assuming that A"

"As long as A, B" or "B as long as A" (also, "So long as")

"A provided that B"

"A on the condition that B"

Thanks!

Hi Everyone,

Tl;dr: help me score above a 165 plz.

I've been lurking in the 7Sage cyberspace for a while, and am incredibly grateful for the community and the resources that I have encountered. I began studying for the LSAT in late January with a diagnostic of 151 (didn't BR...), finished the CC around mid-March, and began taking PT's late March. After five PTs, I am averaging a 155 with a 161 BR average. My section breakdown is -9 LR, -13 LG, and -4 RC.

I think I am studying as much as I can (I work full-time so I usually do Logic Game drilling during the work week before and after work, and PTs/BRs on the weekends), but I am not studying smartly/efficiently. I paid to sit for the June exam but am increasingly becoming concerned with my lack of progress, and am pretty much decided on postponing until July.

A little about my softs: first-generation student, political asylum/refugee background, competitive fellowship, LGBT/Latin@. I graduated with a 3.92 with departmental honors (from an admittedly undemanding major) and completed an M.A. program straight out of undergrad.

My questions for y'all wonderful people are:

1. What are some of the strategies you took to beat the LSAT? (I began the Pacifico LG method and it has helped me tremendously, I just need to improve my timing).

2a. The fellowship program I'm in ends in late-July and it is situated in San Francisco. I love the Bay but it is incredibly expensive, and even though I could possibly continue working at my placement, I recognize the benefit of being able to study more or less full-time at home (in Pennsylvania) without worrying about rent/adulting. If I decide to return home/study full-time would it even be worth it for me to sit for June/July?

2b. Is the fact that the July exam undisclosed an issue (it would be the first time I sit for the LSAT)?

2c. For those who studied full-time, how did you avoid burn-out?

3. Are there other prep material non-7Sage related that could help out with diagramming/parsing out LR?

Sorry for the longwinded post, and please feel free to dm me or respond if I can clarify anything. Thanks so much in advance for any comments or insights you can provide, good luck to everyone applying, and congrats to those who are finishing up this cycle.

Gracias,

Juan

Is a diagnostic a LSAT test that is taken without any prior knowledge of the exam? Or is it a test that is taken after a person has finished the CC?

Thanks.

Hi 7sagers,

I need some advice on what to do when you've used all practice tests. I will be taking the LSAT for the third time in June. I have finished CC, fool proofed games 1-35, and taken tests 35 to the latest one that is available to us. I have been retaking the 70's PTs as a benchmark, but I am not sure if I can trust the accuracy of the scores I am getting from tests that I have already taken before. Any thoughts?

Hi all! Do any of you use a recording device other than your phone to record taking practice tests? If so, what is it? I have been using my phone (it's an Android) and the video quality is not very good. I'm thinking of getting a GoPro but was wondering if there were any cheaper options that people have used successfully.

I have the starter. Is it worth upgrade just for the extra practice? I'm just concerned that i only have access to "easy problem sets." thanks!

i need to delete tests from analytics. how do i do that?

Hey guys sorry if this off topic but I just took the GRE and scored a 315...is this a decent score? Do you guys know anyone who has gotten into a top ten school law or business school with a 315 or relatively close?

Hey everyone just got an email from Northwestern and i've been WL. Does anyone know when their first deposit is due for admitted students, I'm trying to figure out when there will be some movement on the WL. Also if anyone else is on the WL and has done the Kira interview; what should i be expecting from it ?

Hi,

Does anyone have tips on cataloging/documenting questions they have especially learned from? After the Blind Review, do you flag these questions (granted you're already doing that with questions you didn't know you didn't know, in which case J.Y. recommends having a copy of them handy for review from time to time)? If so, for the flagged questions, do you use a notebook or electronic document where you catalog them, and in what detail? I'd like to know whether after Blind Reviewing a test, it should be revisited sometime in the future or not.

Anyone have any knowledge about requesting a reader or using one. How difficult is it to get will they give extra time along with that or do you need to request that too/ do you get a copy of the test or only the reader does?

Any Info would be helpful.

I had mentioned on a few forums that I'd share my results with ya'll when I got through the CC and did another PT. Well, I had a busy weekend and didn't get to the PT until pretty late yesterday; I did it anyway.

5 point improvement.

I just need another 2 or 3 points to get into where I need to be. I have till June.

I am both happy and depressed by this. I was really hoping I'd be much farther along, but I am happy that I have improved some in such a short time. Maybe after a few more PT's and some study on where I went wrong, I can get up just a little more.

So after finishing through the CC I took my a practice test about a week ago and was very pleased with a score of 171. Since then I took three more practice tests and have seen steady decreases in each PT. 168, 167, and most recently a 164. When I do BR I can regularly get in the high 170's. Sometimes I feel really confident and am ready to answer any question the LSAT gives me no matter how hard it is but I don't know why my score has been decreasing and it has been kind of demoralizing lmao.

When I do the BR I can easily see my mistakes are just really dumb but I keep making those mistakes on the next practice tests. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Did anyone on here get the Vandy “hold” email? Just curious. I’ve yet to hear anything from them