Law School Pricing Is Unfair (Ep. 393)

Tuitions are soaring at U.S. colleges and universities, and short-sighted student loan policies may be partly to blame. This week, Ben and Nathan discuss the latest round of student loan forgiveness, which treats the symptoms of high education costs but won’t fix the problem. The guys also correct a common misconception about “test-optional” admissions. They consider the scholarship chances of applicants with low GPAs. And they advise a listener to pick a new personal statement topic. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 450 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 3:48 - LSAT Optional - No, the LSAT is not “going away” in 2025. Law schools will continue to value the LSAT even if they aren’t required to use it. 15:32 - Low GPA - Applicants with low GPAs aren’t locked out of law school. Grade forgiveness may help some. But a high LSAT score is the real key to getting scholarships. 23:24 - GPA and Law School Rankings - An anonymous listener considers taking a course pass-fail to avoid hurting their GPA. Nathan and Ben approve. The guys explain why law schools are so invested in their GPA medians: it’s all in the rankings game. 31:40 - $100,000 a Year - Some colleges will soon charge $100,000 a year. Ben and Nathan bemoan the unhinged state of tuition hikes and student loans. 39:34 - Personal Statement - The guys advise an anonymous listener to avoid a vague personal statement. 43:00 - Graduate School - An anonymous listener wants to drop out of grad school but worries about what law schools will think. Nathan and Ben think the choice is clear. 46:38 - Extra Test Attempt - Leslie, LSAT Demon’s admissions guru, shares the story of a student who successfully appealed for an extra test attempt. 50:48 - Word of the Week - Listener Syd recommends Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day.

The April LSAT is almost here. How should test-takers approach the final days leading up to their official test? Nathan and Ben advise listeners to treat test week like any other week of unhurried LSAT prep. Later, the guys explain why you shouldn’t skip tough questions. They shake their heads at UC Law SF’s solicitations. And they offer words of encouragement to a student who is concerned about how the elimination of Logic Games might impact their score. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 449 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 1:03 - April LSAT - Treat test week like any other practice week. Treat the official test like any other practice test. 6:35 - LSAT Demon Is Hiring - Want to join the team? LSAT Demon is hiring teachers and writers. Visit lsat.link/apply to submit your application. 7:47 - Skipping Questions - Listener Harry disagrees with Nathan and Ben’s advice not to skip or flag difficult questions. The guys clarify their position and reaffirm their mantra: “Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.” 14:52 - Should I Quit My Job? - Ben and Nathan counsel listener Emna not to let law school admissions dictate an important career decision. 22:36 - UC Law San Francisco - Nathan scorns his alma mater’s pleas for more money. 30:12 - Is Law School the Right Path? - The best law students are fierce academic competitors. Applicants with low undergraduate GPAs should think long and hard before entering the fray. 42:05 - LG Study Schedule - Nathan and Ben describe their own study habits for Logic Games. 46:10 - LG Anxiety - An anonymous listener dreads losing the Logic Games after the June LSAT. Ben and Nathan encourage Anonymous to stay optimistic. 53:39 - Word of the Week - The best logic games are Daedalian puzzles.

Micah McCreary is an LSAT coach and law school admissions consultant through his company JurisPrep. He’s also a former LSAT Demon student and current 2L at Harvard Law School. Micah joins Ben and Nathan to share insights about the current admissions cycle, emphasizing the importance of a well-crafted diversity statement. The guys also discuss Micah’s experience at Harvard, the challenges of working in big law, and their shared focus on an accuracy-first approach to the LSAT. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 448 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 3:51 - Harvard Law School - Micah attended Harvard Law School virtually for his 1L year. He now appreciates the networking opportunities that come from attending law school in person. 8:52 - Big Law - Micah plans to work in corporate law, but he’s wary of the grueling hours and unrewarding assignments often faced by junior associates at big law firms. 17:32 - Don’t Pay for Law School - Micah shares the history and mission of JurisPrep, his LSAT and law school admissions consulting business. The guys explain the nuance behind the tagline “don’t pay for law school.” 27:13 - Ignore the Clock - Micah agrees with Ben and Nathan on their accuracy-first approach to the LSAT. They brainstorm ways for students to practice ignoring the clock when taking timed sections. 40:13 - Admissions Cycle - In an unusually slow admissions cycle, Micah has noticed that applicants with strong diversity statements have fared better than those without. 56:17 - Working While in Law School - Micah recommends that law students avoid working other jobs until after their 1L years. 1:05:49 - Words of the Week - Ben and Nathan proscribe LSAT gimmicks. They prescribe a commonsense approach that focuses on careful reading. 1:11:39 - Application Timing - Micah advises law school applicants to apply as early in the cycle as possible.

Two weeks ago, Ben and Nathan revealed a shadow ban targeting LSAT Demon on Reddit. The sole moderator of the r/LSAT subreddit, Graeme Blake from LSAT Hacks, responded with personal attacks and false accusations of “sockpuppeting.” He then banned LSAT Demon entirely. This week, Nathan and Ben recap the strange saga and question Graeme’s motives for attempting to silence LSAT Demon and its supporters. Later, the guys offer advice to a student who’s missing too many easy questions in Logical Reasoning. They correct a faulty approach to Logic Games. And they examine a possible case of T14 yield protection. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 447 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 2:47 - Reddit Ban - The guys break down the events leading to LSAT Demon’s ban on Reddit. 11:59 - Difficult LR Questions - Good news! You don’t need to get all the hard questions right to score well in Logical Reasoning. 17:38 - Missing Easier Questions - Listener Lawrence misses too many easy questions. Nathan and Ben instruct Lawrence to slow down and avoid making sloppy mistakes. 23:30 - Mastering LG - Logic Games are an opportunity, not an obstacle. Ben and Nathan advise an anonymous listener on how to master LG in time for the June LSAT. 29:30 - Waitlists and LOCIs - Listener Lauren has a stellar GPA and LSAT score, yet she was waitlisted at every school in the T14. The guys blame a combination of yield protection and bad luck. They encourage Lauren to write letters of continued interest and to reapply next year. 39:46 - GPA Addendum - Nathan and Ben recommend that listener Morgan write a brief GPA addendum to address some old grades. 44:28 - Admissions Course - Ben and Nathan invite you to join the waitlist for their law school admissions course. 46:26 - Word of the Week - Listener Kris provides a book recommendation for anyone with inchoate negotiation skills.

Testing accommodations are meant to give students with documented disabilities a fair shot. But recent LSAT scoring data suggests that the current time-and-a-half minimum might not level the playing field—it might give an unfair advantage to people with accommodations. Ben and Nathan discuss the problematic state of LSAT accommodations and what it means for students. Later, the guys weigh the costs and benefits of taking the test five times. They draft a short character and fitness addendum. And they urge students to avoid the comparison trap. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 446 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 1:26 - Aiming for 175 - You don’t get points for answering questions quickly. You get points for answering questions correctly. Nathan and Ben instruct listener Manan to slow down and focus on accuracy. 12:43 - Accommodations - Ben and Nathan probe the history of LSAT accommodations and question the fairness of the current system. Accommodated Test-Taker Trends (2017) The Department of Fair Employment and Housing v. Law School Admission Council Inc. 34:43 - Downside to Retaking? - Listener Finn worries that law schools will judge him harshly for taking the LSAT five times. Nathan and Ben assure Finn that law schools only care about his highest score. 40:46 - Character and Fitness Addendum - The guys help an anonymous listener draft a short addendum to address a minor character and fitness issue. 43:43 - GPA Addendum - Ben and Nathan advise listener Emme not to write a GPA addendum that risks victim signaling. 50:27 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon alumna Sierra says: “Don’t get too caught up on the numbers and how everyone else is doing.” 51:47 - Words of the Week - Only when LSAT teachers cease their obscurantism may they find absolution.

Love it or hate it, the r/LSAT subreddit is a popular forum for LSAT news and advice. Unfortunately, LSAT Demon students have been unable to engage fully with this community for almost a year. Their posts and comments about the Demon are secretly banned. Ben and Nathan recount the curious back story of LSAT Demon’s shadow ban on Reddit and ask for listeners’ advice. Later, the guys discuss upcoming changes to LSAT Writing. They share tips on becoming a gladiator of the English language. And they examine why some lawyers might be better off working in fast food. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 445 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 1:11 - Reddit Shadow Ban - The guys detail LSAT Demon’s shadow ban on the r/LSAT subreddit. Read more in their blog post and share your thoughts at [email protected]. 14:19 - Changes to LSAT Writing - Big changes are coming to LSAT Writing. Starting July 31, 2024, the section will feature a more open-ended essay prompt that asks writers to defend an original thesis. Ben and Nathan weigh in on the upcoming changes. 20:18 - Improving at English - Lawyers are gladiators of the English language. Nathan and Ben share a few tips on how to improve your reading and writing. 31:22 - Pearls vs. Turds - Despite what some LSAT “experts” say, there are no shortcuts to success in LSAT Reading Comprehension. If you want to improve in RC, you must improve your ability to read. 39:54 - Law vs. Fast Food - Not every lawyer makes big law money. But lawyers at least earn more than fast-food workers, right? Not necessarily. 46:49 - Informational Interviews - Ben and Nathan advise listener Michael on how to solicit and conduct informational interviews with practicing lawyers. 52:07 - Focus on Accuracy - Listener Grace faces challenges in transitioning to the LSAT Demon approach after switching from another prep company. Nathan and Ben encourage Grace to stick with it and to prioritize accuracy over section scores. 56:18 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Nick shares a pearl of wisdom: “Don’t tell everyone you know that you are taking the LSAT.” 1:01:14 - Word of the Week - If law schools would put the kibosh on their unfair pricing schemes, Ben and Nathan wouldn’t have to inveigh against them.

When Ben and Nathan say “the LSAT is easy,” it’s not to suggest that LSAT improvement comes effortlessly. This week, the guys elaborate on their motto. The LSAT becomes easy when you do it the Demon way. Later, the guys discuss strategies for negotiating scholarships with schools that claim not to engage in such discussions. They offer advice to a listener battling fatigue at the end of Reading Comprehension sections. And they urge a well-qualified applicant not to settle for a disappointing outcome this admissions cycle. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 444 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 1:18 - The LSAT Is Easy - Departing Demon Tatiana sends a message of support to her peers: “Keep showing up and don’t give up. Ben and Nathan are right—the LSAT is easy if you let it be.” 22:07 - Scholarship Negotiation - Some law schools claim not to negotiate scholarships. But every offer of admission opens the door to negotiation. Asking for more financial support carries no downside. 29:53 - RC Timing - Listener Jess asks how to tackle the fourth passage in Reading Comprehension with limited time on the clock. Ben and Nathan advise her to ignore the clock and to treat the final passage the same as any other. 34:03 - RC Fatigue - LSAT Demon student Cassidy is surprised by her fatigue at the end of Reading Comprehension sections. Nathan and Ben suspect that she’s reading too quickly. They urge her to slow down and focus on understanding. 42:16 - Go Now or Reapply? - Lauren was offered a stipend to attend WashU, but she’s disappointed by her offers from other top law schools. Ben and Nathan encourage Lauren to reapply next year and not to settle for less than she’s worth. 53:54 - Howard Law - Listener Morgan offers an explanation for Howard Law’s big law placement numbers, as discussed in Ep. 442: Don’t Become a Lawyer for the Money. 55:05 - Word of the Week - Thinking LSAT listeners invite opprobrium when they apply to law school without their best LSAT score.

What does it take to score 170 on the LSAT? A mastery of the English language, sharply honed reasoning skills, and a strong work ethic. But with the increasing trend of scores surpassing 170 in recent years, maybe we should now ask: What does it take to score 175? This week, Nathan and Ben explore the habits and traits of those who excel at the highest levels on the LSAT. The guys also contemplate the future of Logical Reasoning, delve deeper into law schools’ unjust pricing, and consider an unconventional transfer plan. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 443 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 8:46 - April LSAT Registration - An anonymous listener seeks guidance on whether to register for the April LSAT. Nathan and Ben are concerned by Anonymous’s relatively small amount of progress over a year of LSAT study.  21:06 - The Future of LR - Some people have speculated that Logical Reasoning will feature more “formal logic” and formulaic Must Be True questions when the logic games go away. Ben and Nathan don’t envision a drastic change. They point out that most LSAT questions are already Must Be Trues. 33:23 - What It Takes to Score 175 - Top LSAT scorers exhibit diligence, patience, and humility. 49:02 - FAFSA Delay - The Department of Education recently announced a five-month delay in processing the FAFSA. Nathan and Ben lament how loans are labeled “aid,” and they examine more evidence of law schools’ unfair pricing. 1:14:09 - Scholarship Data - Listener Spencer shares data from lsd.law that indicates that some schools’ scholarship decisions are based solely on LSAT and GPA. What’s the takeaway? One LSAT point could save you tens of thousands of dollars. 1:17:43 - Transfer Down? - An anonymous listener considers transferring to a lower-ranked law school for a better scholarship and lower level of academic competition. Ben and Nathan propose an alternative: dropping out entirely. 1:29:00 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Rick suggests ditching your timelines and embracing a slow-and-steady approach to LSAT improvement. 1:29:57 - Word of the Week - Listener Kate is no milquetoast.

Many prospective lawyers dream of big law salaries. Far fewer achieve them. Ben and Nathan examine the disappointing reality of big law placement at non-elite law schools and insist that money is a terrible reason to pursue a legal career. The guys also warn listeners not to let application accoutrements distract from the LSAT. They reject a backward approach to Logical Reasoning. And they denounce law schools’ unfair pricing practices. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 442 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 1:16 - Focus on the LSAT - Listener Tony asks whether to highlight his masters thesis in his law school personal statement. Nathan and Ben tell Tony to bake his cake before he worries about frosting it. 13:51 - Grade Change - Persistence pays off for an anonymous listener in their campaign to change an A- to an A. 17:20 - Pearls vs. Turds - An LSAT Demon student finds a pearl of LSAT wisdom in an RC passage about the memory-altering effects of leading questions. 26:28 - Do LR Backward? - Ben and Nathan advise listener Madison to un-reverse her approach to Logical Reasoning. 31:47 - Big Law Placement - The guys question law schools’ self-reported data on big law placement. Outside of a few top schools, career outcomes for law school graduates are wildly uncertain. Your best bet is to attend a school where your scholarship sets you up to compete at the top of the class. 55:00 - Apply Broadly - An anonymous listener considers an accelerated JD-MBA program at their local university. Nathan and Ben unequivocally reject this option. They encourage Anonymous to apply broadly and to avoid law schools’ cash grabs. 1:10:14 - Don’t Do It for Money - Ben and Nathan urge listener Zeek not to let the prospect of a big paycheck lure him into big law. Chasing money is not a good reason to become a lawyer. 1:17:28 - Tip From a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Nathaniel shares his key to LSAT success: “Drill, drill, drill!” 1:18:37 - Word of the Week - Macropterous ostriches flocked to us.

Ben and Nathan address a frequently asked question: “Why the name LSAT Demon?” The name’s origin aligns with their belief that every LSAT question can be solved with certainty. Later, the guys critique some shortsighted advice for Logical Reasoning. They also explore strategies for negotiating scholarships, and they discuss a rare exception to their advice not to pay for law school. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 441 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 2:35 - January LSAT Scores - Listener Josie asks how to bounce back from a disappointing score on the January LSAT. Ben and Nathan pinpoint a problem with Josie’s mindset: too much concern for the clock and the calendar. 16:06 - Laplace’s Demon - The guys reveal the origin of the name LSAT Demon and its relevance to their teaching philosophy. 22:27 - Pearls vs. Turds - How important are question types in Logical Reasoning? Should you skip Parallel Reasoning questions for the sake of time? Nathan and Ben offer their insights. 42:11 - Reviewing Logic Games - Ben and Nathan discuss how to review and learn from mistakes in Logic Games. Hear Demon teachers Matt and Erik share their perspectives in LSAT Demon Daily Ep. 614: How to Review Logic Games. 47:47 - Accepted to Yale - Don’t pay for law school. But does this principle hold true even for Yale? Nathan and Ben weigh the costs and benefits of attending the most prestigious law school in the country. 56:49 - Scholarship Negotiation - The first and most important step of scholarship negotiation is to ask for what you want. As Jonea Gordon explains in Ep. 437, nothing bad comes from doing so. 1:05:56 - Comparing Scholarship Offers - Ben and Nathan help listener Leon pick between competing offers from two Florida law schools. 1:16:54 - Words of the Week - It would be impolitic to delimit cost as an ostensibly extraneous factor in picking a law school. 1:25:08 - Book Recommendations - The guys chat about the books they’ve been reading. 1:34:27 - Tips from a Departing Demon - Demon student Erik encourages current students: “Don’t stop, give up, or leave any points on the table.”