Grades First, LSAT Later (Ep. 540)

A student writes in asking whether they should focus on studying for the LSAT while having a low GPA. Ben and Nathan advise them to prioritize focusing on earning the best possible grades before beginning LSAT prep.Also in this episode:- A question about choosing between law schools with a $15,000 difference- Advice a student received from another prep company- When to send a letter of continued interestStudy with our Free Plan⁠⁠Download our iOS app⁠Watch Episode 540 on YouTubeCheck out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segmentsGet caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library0:00 Test D Question “Animal Owners”  19:13 Things We Enjoy23:03 The $15,000 Difference33:43 Pearls v. Turds39:57 Leaving the Demon42:55 Focusing on Your GPA53:22 Retaking a 1751:05:18 When to Send a LOCI1:10:20 Word of the Week — flummoxed

The ABA has released new 509 data revealing how LSAT and GPA medians have shifted over the past year, along with updated data into how schools are distributing scholarships. Ben and Nathan break down the numbers and react to several schools that have made significant changes.Also in this episode:- How to handle LSAT questions you’ve seen before- The Arkansas Supreme Court allows lawyers to use AI in their work- Should a listener prioritize location or ranking for law school?https://lsat.link/509Study with our Free Plan⁠⁠Download our iOS app⁠Watch Episode 539 on YouTubeCheck out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segmentsGet caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library0:00 LSAT Question on Pinched Nerves19:46 New 509 Reports40:10 Repeat Questions50:47 Fourth RC Passage Strategy55:30 Arkansas Supreme Court Updates Rules on AI1:01:28 Accusation of Cheating1:18:00 Regional vs. T20 Law School1:27:55 Word of the Week — admonition1:34:22 Things We Like

The internet is full of opinions, and not all of them are kind. This week, Ben and Nathan dig into a reddit thread, reacting to some of the tougher criticisms aimed at the Demon and our co-hosts.Also in this episode:- Ben and Nathan react to Washington’s decision to retroactively lower its bar passage score- A listener asks whether applying Early Decision makes sense for top law schools- Whether a law school increasing its class size improves your odds of admissionStudy with our Free Plan⁠⁠Download our iOS app⁠Watch Episode 538 on YouTubeCheck out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segmentsGet caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library0:00 Making a Last Push on Next LSAT7:18 Should I Take the LSAT Again?23:48 Washington Lowering Bar Passage Requirements42:03 We Read Our Mean Comments1:03:10 Law Schools Increasing Class Sizes1:11:22 Can Early Decision Be Beneficial?1:22:55 Personal Statement Gong Show1:39:40 Word of the Week — penumbra

The FTC submitted a letter to the Texas Supreme Court supporting its decision to drop the ABA as the state’s official accreditor. Ben and Nathan agree that the ABA has been slow to modernize and often lags behind student needs, but they don’t fully align with the FTC’s reasoning. Also in this episode:- A listener asks whether to choose a part-time or full-time law program.- Whether to cancel an official score that comes in lower than a prior LSAT.- A personal statement  with an unusually bold opening.Links Mentioned:FTC Letter to Texas Supreme CourtStudy with our Free Plan⁠⁠Download our iOS app⁠Watch Episode 537 on YouTubeCheck out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segmentsGet caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ libraryQuestions? [email protected]:00 When to Take Practice Tests6:11 FTC Claims the ABA is a Monopoly21:43 Full-Time vs. Part-Time Law Programs29:47 Tips from Departing Demons35:02 Performing Worse on the First Section43:19 Cancelling a Lower Score46:45 Personal Statement Gong Show

Ben and Nathan dig into a striking chart showing dozens of schools clustering their LSAT medians at 150 and 160, while almost nobody reports 149 or 159. They break down why schools chase these round-number medians, how it leads to irrational admissions behavior, and what it means for applicants trying to play the rankings game.Also in this episode:- How applying without a GPA can affect your admissions chances- Success stories from Demon students who crushed the November LSAT- Why the University of North Carolina has climbed so quickly in the rankingsLinks Mentioned:Derek T. Muller ArticleStudy with our Free Plan⁠⁠Download our iOS app⁠Watch Episode 536 on YouTubeCheck out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segmentsGet caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library0:00 Retaking to Beat New Medians5:37 Applying with No GPA14:05 November LSAT Success20:05 The Irrational Pursuit of Round LSAT Medians27:20 Lower Scores When Timed34:50 Meeting with an Admissions Counselor39:35 What’s the Deal with University of North Carolina55:56 Word of the Week — Prolixity

A listener writes in asking how to handle the pressure of their final official LSAT attempt. Ben and Nathan remind them that their highest score on record, a 165, is already strong enough for full scholarships at many law schools. They encourage the listener to let go of perfectionism, be comfortable with not finishing a section, and approach test day expecting  incremental improvement.Also in this episode:- An update on an LSAC cheating allegation- Ben and Nathan react to the ABA lifting its probation of Cooley Law- Advice from Demon students who recently crushed the LSATStudy with our Free Plan⁠⁠Download our iOS app⁠Watch Episode 535 on YouTubeCheck out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segmentsGet caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library0:00 Update on Cheating Allegations5:24 ABA Lifts Probation for Cooley10:50 How to Approach Your Last Official Attempt21:44 Tips from Departing Demons34:25 Chances at a T14 as a Super kJD41:10 Pearls vs. Turds43:27 Personal Statement Gong Show57:12 Word of the Week — Percolation

A listener writes in after a disappointing first round of scholarship offers. Ben and Nathan explain that initial offers are rarely a school’s best, they’re just the starting point. They reassure the listener that more and better offers are still on the way.Also in this episode:- Whether taking the January LSAT is too late to apply this cycle- Questions about Harvard’s Junior Deferral Program- A deeper look at one of the newest members of the T14: WashULinks Mentioned:Derek T. Muller ArticleStudy with our Free Plan⁠⁠Download our iOS app⁠Watch Episode 534 on YouTubeCheck out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segmentsGet caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library0:00 - Is the January LSAT Too Late?23:45 - Receiving Bad Scholarships 35:24 - When Do I Know When I’m Ready?43:05 - Follow–Up on Cheating45:18 - Harvard’s Junior Deferral Program1:07:45 - Demon Team Tracker1:09:19 - What’s the Deal with… WashU1:36:54 - Word of the Week — Propinquity

A listener writes in asking whether they should retake a 173, worried that a future attempt could be lower. Ben and Nathan explain why they should be willing to use all four remaining attempts: law schools only care about your highest score, and every point, especially for higher scores, can turn into thousands of dollars. Also in this episode:- When applicants can expect scholarship responses from law schools- Advice from Demon students who crushed the LSAT- Another brave contestant steps up for the Personal Statement Gong ShowLinks Mentioned:https://lsat.link/gradesStudy with our Free Plan⁠⁠Download our iOS app⁠Watch Episode 533 on YouTubeCheck out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segmentsGet caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library0:00 - Following the Demon Way3:30 - When Will I Hear Back on Scholarships?9:31 - Medians Above 4.0024:25 - Tips from Deparing Demons31:40 - Should I Retake a 173?36:35 - Light at the End of the Tunnel50:56 - Personal Statement Gong Show1:05:23 - Word of the Week — Anachronism

When LSAC accused a student of cheating, claiming his score jump had “Powerball odds,” Ben and Nathan dig into the details. They break down LSAC’s vague statistical claims and explain why big score increases are both possible and common for serious students. They also urge the student to document their prep to show clear evidence of progress.Also in this episode:Early 1L and 2L law firm hiring trendsA student asks whether to keep taking undergrad classes to boost their GPAShould you ask law schools for an application fee waiver?Links Mentioned:https://lsat.link/grades ⁠Study with our Free Plan⁠⁠Download our iOS app⁠Watch Episode 532 on YouTubeCheck out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segmentsGet caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library0:00 - Is It Ever Worth Paying for Law School? 23:40 - LSAC Accuses a Student of Cheating 49:20 - 1L and 2L Law Firm Hiring Trends 56:37 - Should I Keep Taking Classes? 1:03:37 - Community Colleges Offering A+ Grades 1:09:59 - Pearls vs. Turds 1:15:06 - Should You Ask for a Fee Waiver? 1:19:44 - Word of the Week — Demarcating

Since the October score release, there's been some online chatter claiming the October LSAT was unusually difficult. Nathan and Ben respond to one student's concerns by pointing to numerous Demon students who crushed the LSAT this month. They remind listeners that every test administration sparks the same rumors, but the LSAT remains consistent from one test to the next. That consistency should inspire confidence. If your practice test scores match your goal score, you’re ready for the real deal. Also in this episode:- Ben and Nathan explore community colleges awarding A-pluses- Demon students share their parting advice for LSAT success- They critique a prep company that promotes a “blind review” scoreLinks Mentioned:lsat.link/gradesNortheast Community College Course Search: https://reg-prod.ec.northeast.edu/StudentRegistrationSsb/ssb/term/termSelection?mode=searchFoothill College Course Search: https://foothill.edu/schedule/Arizona State University Universal Learner Courses: https://courses.ulc.asu.edu/ ⁠Study with our Free Plan⁠⁠Download our iOS app⁠Watch Episode 531 on YouTubeCheck out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segments.Get caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library. 0:30 - Was the October LSAT Harder?7:45 - Drill Rating System12:51 - Colleges with A-pluses25:32 - Tips From Departing Demons39:24 - Blind Review Score53:08 - Lived Experience Essay1:00:00 - Personal Statement Gong Show1:07:55 - Word of the Week — incommunicado