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 rankings

Links Mentioned:

Derek T. Muller Article

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Watch Episode 536 on YouTube

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0:00 Retaking to Beat New Medians

5:37 Applying with No GPA

14:05 November LSAT Success

20:05 The Irrational Pursuit of Round LSAT Medians

27:20 Lower Scores When Timed

34:50 Meeting with an Admissions Counselor

39:35 What’s the Deal with University of North Carolina

55:56 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 LSAT

Study with our Free Plan⁠

⁠Download our iOS app⁠

Watch Episode 535 on YouTube

Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segments

Get caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library

0:00 Update on Cheating Allegations

5:24 ABA Lifts Probation for Cooley

10:50 How to Approach Your Last Official Attempt

21:44 Tips from Departing Demons

34:25 Chances at a T14 as a Super kJD

41:10 Pearls vs. Turds

43:27 Personal Statement Gong Show

57:12 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: WashU

Links Mentioned:

Derek T. Muller Article: https://excessofdemocracy.com/blog/2017/12/a-secret-small-world-of-other-law-school-admissions

Study with our Free Plan⁠

⁠Download our iOS app⁠

Watch Episode 534 on YouTube

Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segments

Get caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library

0:00 - 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