LSAC's GPA-o-meter Sucks

Hm, well I thought I had a 2.83 GPA. Apparently it's really a 2.66, as calculated by LSAC. Not much I can do about it, but hope my 171 LSAT and Personal Statement makes up for this deficiency...

LSAC Name Change is a Hassle

Lesson learned: Make a final decision regarding what name you're going to go by before registering for the LSAT. Since all of my awards and accomplishments are under my maiden name, I've decided to go with that for the application process. Unfortunately, it is like pulling teeth to get them to update my records from my married name to my maiden name. I sent a fax on Oct 30 to get my name changed. It was supposed to be completed by end-of-day Nov 1. It is now Nov 6 and they've confessed to me they lost my fax. Now I need to fax my information again to a specific individual.

Naturally, I can't do anything until I get my name changed. I can't even begin to register for LSDAS, and if I'm not registered for LSDAS I can't get the forms for my letters of reference or even request that my three universities send my transcripts. The only thing I can work on is my personal statement... which is actually going okay I guess. I'm feeling a lot more confident about my drafts as evidenced by the fact that I'm not completely deleting them the next morning. Progress!

Law School Spam

I had no idea so many law schools waived their application fees for high LSAT candidates. It was fun at first, but I'm getting a little sick of the fee waiver emails. I wish they'd all send their fee waiver notification on the same day so I can just sort them all into a folder for when I'm ready for them. So far I've received fee waiver emails from: Columbia (#5), Saint Thomas (Tier 3), U Virginia (#10), U Richmond (#77), and William & Mary (#31).

LSAT Scores are in!

171. 98th percentile. I can't decide if I should mark this as a success or a failure. This should guarantee admission to my first-choice school and should also win some scholarship money at my second-choice school, but I was hoping for the 99th percentile (or a score of 173). I wonder if a phenomenal personal statement can make up the lost ground here, or if scholarship money from my first-choice school is a lost cause.

Big Brother Update

My big brother just found out he passed the bar. He'll get sworn in in Virginia next week. I get my results on October 22--just a few short days away! Brother asked me when I'm throwing my "180 Party," but promised to buy me a celebratory bottle of 151 to be on the conservative side and prevent jinxing me.

What's Next?

I've felt like I'm just playing the waiting game while I sit around wondering how I did on the LSAT, so here is a to-do list for me to systematically tackle the next time I am feeling antsy:

1. LSAT (check)
2. Request letters of reference from boss (check) and professor (incomplete)
   
3. Update name with LSAT (incomplete)
4. Register for LSDAS (incomplete)
5. Order transcripts from three universities (incomplete)
6. Write personal statement (incomplete)

LSAT Report

This past Saturday morning was the big LSAT day.

I went to bed around 9:45 the night before and set my alarm bright and early so I would have time to wake up before the exam. I had only done one practice test the day before and didn't score phenomenally on it (just a 169), but I chalked this up to stress and hormones.

I wore my favorite new shoes (known in my inner circle as "the ugliest shoes ever"), oatmeal legwarmers, my favorite old Seven jeans, and an old frat sweatshirt. I put my hair in a high ponytail, pulled my bangs back with bobby pins, and brought an arsenal of additional bobby pins to secure any renegade hairs.

I had a Naked juice en route and arrived comfortably early, as is my M.O. I was seated in the back right corner of the room and had plenty of time to arrange my four No. 2 pencils from sharpest to dullest and balance my watch perfectly on the edge of the desk.

When the tests were distributed, I was delighted to discover that Analytical Reasoning (my weakness) was the first section of my test booklet. As I dug in, I found that two of the four Analytical Reasoning sections were variations on Sequencing, the single type that I am a rockstar at. Whereas my original battle plan for the Analytical Reasoning was to complete as many as I could and guess "D" for the remaining questions, I was able to complete the section. Pressed for time at the end, I had to guess on two remaining questions; however, I was first able to reduce them down to two possible answers so I have a 50% chance instead of a 20% chance at those two answers being accurate.

The experimental section was one of two Reading Comprehension sections. Because the first section more closely fit the mold of the practice tests I had done, I believe the second section was the experimental section. Regardless, I'm confident I did well on both.

One of the two logical reasoning sections was tricky for me. There were four questions that I was not completely certain of the answers. I do think that I selected good answers, but I won't know if they were the best answers until I get my scores back in three weeks.

Naturally, as I worked through the test, I made note of how many I was confident I had answered correctly, and how many could possibly be wrong. Comparing this score to the past ten years' tests, I believe I scored approximately 173. I will be humiliated, but not devastated, if my results show otherwise. If my scores are particularly good, I may scratch a few of my lower choice schools and instead apply at a few of the dream schools that felt out of reach when I first began this endeavor.

1 Day 'til LSAT

Tomorrow is the big day.

<156..............will likely not be accepted to any school
<165..............will not be accepted into first-choice school
165 - 171.......may be accepted into first-choice school
>171...............will be accepted into first-choice school
>173...............may receive significant scholarship money

Recent sample test scores, considered in light of my best test times and circumstances (early morning, relative quiet, I work well under pressure) indicate that I am fully capable of a score greater than 173, but a 171 - 173 score is most likely.

I think I'll make up some statistics now:

I am 98% confident I will score at least 165.
I am 75% confident I will score at least 171.
I am 25% confident I will score at least 174.

6 Days 'til LSAT

Report on all practice exams to date:

August 27..............171
August 29..............161
September 01..........166
September 02..........156
September 08..........175
September 09..........165
September 16..........175
September 19..........177
September 19..........169
September 22..........171
September 23..........165
September 23..........174
September 23..........171

While my overall average is just 169, my Excel chart's exponential trend line has been leveling out at 172.

A 171 should guarantee me admission to the U; 173+ may qualify me for scholarship money at the U. Even my lowest score at 156 should guarantee me admission at the other three schools to which I'm applying.

9 Days 'til LSAT

Last night I completed two LSAT exams and scored 177 and 169, respectively. I am getting markedly better, but the scores beneath 170 still worry me. Surprisingly enough, the 177 score (my highest score yet) was taken amidst some distraction. The 169 score was a result of totally rocking the Analytical Reasoning (my weakest area) and getting lazy with the Reading Comprehension and Logical Reasoning. I think two tests in one night is a little more than my brain can handle.

15 Days 'til LSAT

Last night I dug into my Kaplan LSAT 180 test prep book. These are supposed to be the toughest of the tough questions, all packed into one book. I tackled logical reasoning last night and got 65%. That's not bad! If I get 65% of the tough questions right, and 100% of the easy ones right, I'll be money. I will be taking several practice exams this weekend and hopefully will be able to report more mid-170 scores. A 171 should secure me admission to the U, assuming the rest of my application materials are in order.

I do need to request letters of reference and get my personal statement written up. I've got a draft of each document, but my personal statement is still a little shakey. It's like I have too many ideas I'm trying to pack into just a few paragraphs. I think I need to start over from scratch with a fresh outline to make sure it's all neatly organized.

21 Days 'til LSAT

My LSAT practice tests have been all over the map, so far. I found that since my Analytical Reasoning scores have seriously improved, my Logical Reasoning was now my weakest length. I read up a little more on Logical Reasoning strategy last night and my first test since this recent study session left me with a rather impressive score of 175.

August 27.............171
August 29.............161
September 1.........166
September 2.........156
September 8.........175

33 days 'til LSAT

Today I took my first thorough practice test, whose results predicted a score of 171. Coupled with my 2.85 GPA, this gives me a 90% chance of getting into the U of M. My constant Analytical Reasoning studying has really paid off--I scored higher in that section than Logical Reasoning, which was originally my strong suit.

44 days 'til LSAT

Rose-colored score projection: 177

There are six different types of problems in the Analytical Reasoning section of the LSAT:

• Sequencing
• Strict Sequencing
• Selection
• Distribution
• Matching
• Hybrids

Within each type of problem, there are 5 - 8 related questions which are written from four basic models:

• Acceptability
• Complete and Accurate List
• New ""If"" questions
• Could vs. Must

As I progress through my Logic Games Workbook, I feel that the problems and associated questions are getting more difficult; however, my accuracy is steadily improving. Last night's study session (in Matching) yielded my best results ever, with 80% accuracy. Of the three questions I answered incorrectly last night, I had flagged two as "unsure." I ran a stopwatch for this session and found that I actually had six minutes to spare, in which I could have reviewed the two I got wrong. Unfortunately, my math skills are lacking and I thought I was several minutes over, rather than several minutes under, and called it quits.

Tonight I tackle Hybrid questions, which I suspect are more difficult.

My study plan is constantly evolving, but right now the plan is as follows:

Aug 7	Overview
Aug 8	Analytical Reasoning Overview
Aug 9	Analytical Reasoning Overview
Aug 10	Sequencing
Aug 11	Strict Sequencing
Aug 12	Selection
Aug 13	Analytical Reasoning Review
Aug 14	Distribution
Aug 15	Matching
Aug 16	Hybrids
Aug 17	Practice Test
Aug 18	Analytical Reasoning Review
Aug 19	Analytical Reasoning Review
Aug 20	Practice Test
Aug 21	Practice Test
Aug 22	Practice Test
Aug 23	Practice Test
Aug 24	Practice Test
Aug 25	Analytical Reasoning Review
Aug 26	Analytical Reasoning Review
Aug 27	Practice Test
Aug 28	Practice Test
Aug 29	Practice Test
Aug 30	Practice Test
Aug 31	Practice Test
Sep 1	Analytical Reasoning Review
Sep 2	Analytical Reasoning Review
Sep 3	Practice Test
Sep 4	Practice Test
Sep 5	Practice Test
Sep 6	Practice Test
Sep 7	Practice Test
Sep 8	Analytical Reasoning Review
Sep 9	Analytical Reasoning Review
Sep 10	Practice Test
Sep 11	Practice Test
Sep 12	Practice Test
Sep 13	Practice Test
Sep 14	Practice Test
Sep 15	Analytical Reasoning Review
Sep 16	Analytical Reasoning Review
Sep 17	Practice Test
Sep 18	Practice Test
Sep 19	Practice Test
Sep 20	Practice Test
Sep 21	Practice Test
Sep 22	Analytical Reasoning Review
Sep 23	Analytical Reasoning Review
Sep 24	Practice Test
Sep 25	Practice Test
Sep 26	Practice Test
Sep 27	Practice Test
Sep 28	General Review
Sep 29	Test Day

Other preparatory measures I am taking:

• Testing a variety of #2 pencils to select the brand with which I'm most comfortable. I will be testing for comfort, lead-lasting power, and eraser effectiveness. Once I've selected a brand of pencils, I will buy them en masse, sharpen them, and continue my practice exams with them. (My beloved mechanical pencils are forbidden.)
• Practice writing for extended periods of time. I very rarely pick up a writing instrument, much less handle it for hours on end and then torture myself with an essay. These practice exams should be a good work-out for me, but I'm going to start penning letters to old friends and family to prepare my hand and wrist for the impending torture.
  

45 days 'til LSAT

Rose-colored score projection: 175

Last night's Analytical Reasoning study session yielded 75% accurate results. According to my practice exams, I would currently be achieving an LSAT score of approximately 175. Prior to studying, I would only have achieved a 161, which is not embarrassing, but certainly would not make up for my 2.85 GPA.

It's truly amazing how far I've come in just one week of moderate studying. 45 - 60 minutes a day is proving to be an effective study schedule for me. Once I complete the prep book I am currently working on, I will have Dan proctor my 30 practice exams to me (one per weekday, six per weekend), to ensure that I can appropriately manage the time limitations. I have no doubt I will be able to manage the time limitations for Reading Comprehension and Logical Reasoning, but I do know that I am currently taking a few minutes longer than allowed for Analytical Reasoning and will need to learn how to shave this time down.

After each practice exam, I will review my two prep books (LSAT for Dummies and Kaplan Logic Games) to learn why I am failing in certain areas and rework all of the problems I got wrong. Once I've completed this intensive run of practice exams, I will dig into my LSAT 180 prep book to work on more difficult sample problems.

Once that's all said and done, I will do a few practice Writing Samples. I'm confident I can write an adequate essay, but I am concerned my writing hand, accustomed to alternating between keyboard and mouse, will not be able to handle the intensive pressure of several hours filling in circles plus a writing sample. Maybe I should be doing hand exercises to prepare... I'll have to check with my physical therapist the next time I pay her office a visit.

48 days 'til LSAT

Rose-colored score projection: 172

The LSAT has six 35-minute sections. Five are multiple choice sections, one of which is an unscored experimental section; one section is a writing sample. Of the four scored multiple choice sections, there are two Logical Reasoning sections, one Reading Comprehension section, and one Analytical Reasoning section.

When I took my first practice exam, I missed only a few in Logical Reasoning, aced Reading Comprehension, and bombed Analytical Reasoning, as noted the other day. Since then, I have been working at least an hour a day on Analytical Reasoning problems. Rating myself on a scale of 1 - 10, I started out as a 0, improved to a .5 after one day of studying. After four days of studying, I am consistently getting about 60% of the problems correct, so I'm giving myself a 6.

Based on my current results, if I were to take the LSAT tomorrow, I'd score about 172. Dan worries that a high LSAT paired with my low GPA will imply a lack of work ethic, but I'm hopeful that my success with my employer (and the rave reviews they will give me in their reference letters) will indicate otherwise.

I plan to continue focusing my study efforts on Analytical Reasoning problems, studying at least an hour every day. A friend currently attending my first choice school (University of Minnesota Law School) promises to tutor me in the upcoming weeks as I prepare for my September 29th LSAT.

How high does my LSAT need to be to offset my unimpressive 2.85 GPA? According to LSAC's UPGA Search, a 172 should put me back in the running for University of Minnesota Law School. Hopefully, I'll score even higher or my personal statement will cover the additional ground lost.

53 days 'til LSAT

Rose-colored score projection: 161

I paid a visit to Barnes & Noble last night and made a bee-line for the test prep section. Unsure of exactly what to get, I picked up three of the recommended officially LSAC books of actual previous exams, a workbook of just Analytical Reasoning problems (i.e. "logic games"), and LSAT For Dummies. I've never even picked up a For Dummies book before, but I figured it best to assume myself a dummy from the get-go.

As I sheepishly pushed my stack of books across the cash wrap, the cashier asked me, "Did you find everything you need?"

"I certainly hope so," I prayed.

I drove up to the Minneapolis library to follow through on my original planned research of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, as per my mother's suggestion, but after flipping through some of the LSAT For Dummies, I was hooked. I ended up spending the next several hours pouring over the Analytical Reasoning section. My assumption was right--I am most definitely an Analytical Reasoning "dummy."

Here is an example I gleaned from ExamCram:

Charles has to put together a roster for his company's annual softball game against their cross-town rival. He's got eight healthy people that want to bat for the team: Corwin, Dorian, Hal, Joseph, Kamal, Peter, Ralph, and Seth. He's allowed to submit five names for his roster. However, there are some things to take into consideration:

• If Ralph plays, Hal must play immediately after Ralph on the roster.
• Two of the three managers, Dorian, Kamal, and Ralph, have to be on the team.
• Corwin and Seth can't be next to each other on the roster.
• If Kamal is on the team, then Joseph can't be picked.
• Peter has to play either first or second.

Then the exam questions ask you to determine if Joseph likes ice cream, then "who's on first, what's on second, I don't know is on third..." (Abbott and Costello).

I do understand the skills this section is intended to gauge, but if this sort of analytical ability is really necessary for one to survive as an attorney, I have no idea how my father has managed to stay in business. I know he's intelligent, but try setting up a tent with him and tell me he's an Analytical Reasoning master.

Personal Statement: Importance of Being Earnest

What belongs in the Personal Statement of a law school application? The recommendations of each law school vary, but the overriding suggested themes are why I'm interested in pursuing a degree and career and how my unique abilities, experiences, and character set me apart as an exemplary candidate. Many schools' admissions guides urge me to write about hardships I've overcome, such as my race, culture, linguistic origins, or poverty. My husband told me about a female acquaintance whose law school application detailed how being a victim of rape inspired her to pursue a career in law. While I don't intend for this blog to become my personal soapbox or confessional, I had a similar experience (but a very different reaction!) and find it appalling that a woman could give another person--much less a rapist--that sort of power in her life.

My mother is a guidance counselor (and by proxy a career counselor). I phoned her during my morning commute and lamented to her that (1) my only hardship has been my lack of hardship (I don't think there are many scholarships for middle class Midwesterners of European descent) and (2) I don't have any sob stories from which to draw my excuse for wanting to go beyond my current plane. She pointed out that I don't need a sensational story to explain my intentions; I simply need to earnestly describe the motivation behind my decision to pursue a legal degree. I reluctantly explained to her the "true story," rather than the sob stories I had begun weaving. The truth is that I fear stagnation both in my personal life and in my ability to positively affect the lives of others. In my current job, I feel that I have reached a pinnacle. I'm twiddling my thumbs, wishing for a personal intellectual challenge and a more direct way to impact others.

I could hear my mother nodding on the other end of the line. She understood what I was thinking better than I myself understood, and she brought up Maslow's hierarchy of needs. "Maslow" was a more common name in our household than our beloved family dog, so I was familiar with his hierarchy of needs; however, whenever my brain finally starts to evict his little pyramid diagram, my mother finds a way to reintroduce the man and reapply his findings to the current events of my life. I'm happy to report I'm clipping away at a mother-approved pace, graduating up the hierarchy of needs. My need to avoid stagnation and pursue a higher intellectual plane fits right into Maslow's (and my mother's) master plan for my life.

My mother suggested I write my personal statement using Maslow's hierarchy of needs as my guide and, after the discussion with her and some preliminary research, I agree that it's both fitting and honest. It won't be a tear-jerker and it won't get made into a Hallmark movie, but it will be genuine.

"Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred!" (From Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, one of my favorite novels.)

Personal Statement: Non Compos Mentis

I completed high school in three years (graduated in 2001) then went on to complete undergrad in three years (graduated in 2004). In 2005, I started a career with FindLaw (a Thomson West company). In under two years, I was promoted to Senior Web Producer, a distinction held by only one other employee whose tenure at Thomson is three times my own.

I consistently demonstrate a need to "go beyond" my current intellectual plane. This chronic condition results in a knack for climbing to a pinnacle, only to look up and discover a new mountain beckoning me. Today, I begin my journey toward a law degree and ultimately a career in law.

I'm going into this pursuit armed with my resilience in adversity, determination to never lose a war, ability to concede the occasional battle, partial financial assistance from my company, a network of supportive friends and family (with a fair share of both lawyers for mentorship and counselors for therapy), and--most importantly--a very understanding husband.

I will be hindered by the unimpressive GPA I gleaned while speeding through undergrad, the challenge of balancing my studies with a full-time career in which I hold a leadership position, and the fact that I have been in the workforce and out of the classroom for nearly three years.