Stay ConnectedBen Olson and Nathan Fox started the Thinking LSAT Podcast to become better LSAT teachers and have some fun. Please 1) subscribe, 2) rate and review, and 3) send us questions: help@thinkinglsat.com. Don’t pay for law school!
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Copyright: © Nathan Fox and Ben Olson
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 Court
Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segments
Get caught up with our Word of the Week library
Questions? help@thinkinglsat.com
0:00 When to Take Practice Tests
6:11 FTC Claims the ABA is a Monopoly
21:43 Full-Time vs. Part-Time Law Programs
29:47 Tips from Departing Demons
35:02 Performing Worse on the First Section
43:19 Cancelling a Lower Score
46:45 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 rankings
Links Mentioned:
Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segments
Get caught up with our Word of the Week library
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
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:
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 Cheating
45:18 - Harvard’s Junior Deferral Program
1:07:45 - Demon Team Tracker
1:09:19 - What’s the Deal with… WashU
1:36:54 - 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 Show
Links Mentioned:
Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segments
Get caught up with our Word of the Week library
0:00 - Following the Demon Way
3:30 - When Will I Hear Back on Scholarships?
9:31 - Medians Above 4.00
24:25 - Tips from Deparing Demons
31:40 - Should I Retake a 173?
36:35 - Light at the End of the Tunnel
50:56 - Personal Statement Gong Show
1:05:23 - 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 trends
A student asks whether to keep taking undergrad classes to boost their GPA
Should you ask law schools for an application fee waiver?
Links Mentioned:
Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segments
Get caught up with our Word of the Week library
0:00 - 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” score
Links Mentioned:
lsat.link/grades
Northeast Community College Course Search: https://reg-prod.ec.northeast.edu/StudentRegistrationSsb/ssb/term/termSelection?mode=search
Foothill College Course Search: https://foothill.edu/schedule/
Arizona State University Universal Learner Courses: https://courses.ulc.asu.edu/
Check 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 System
12:51 - Colleges with A-pluses
25:32 - Tips From Departing Demons
39:24 - Blind Review Score
53:08 - Lived Experience Essay
1:00:00 - Personal Statement Gong Show
1:07:55 - Word of the Week — incommunicado
Nathan and Ben highlight a notable increase in law school applications per the latest LSAC reports. These numbers have nervous students rushing to apply this cycle, even though they don't have a strong LSAT score. Nathan and Ben explain that November is already late. Instead, they encourage applicants to wait and apply next year to take advantage of the best scholarship opportunities.
Also in this episode:
Links Mentioned:
Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” Segments.
Get caught up with our Word of the Week library.
0:30 - LSAC Volume Summary Report
10:10 - Following the Demon Philosophy
17:13 - When to Submit Applications
29:56 - Email from a Law School on Loan Limits
44:46 - Low LSAT Scores
51:27 - What’s the Deal with the University of Arizona
1:05:00 - Personal Statement Gong Show
1:12:28 - Word of the Week - impervious
Ben and Nathan explain why applying broadly maximizes admissions and scholarship opportunities. They advise students to consider waiting another cycle to submit the strongest application possible.
Also in this episode:
Links Mentioned:
Register for the Los Angeles LSAC Forum: http://lsac.org/lawschoolforums
Watch Episode 529 on YouTube
Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segments.
Get caught up with our Word of the Week library.
0:30 - Reading Every Passage Thoroughly
7:26 - “Where Have You Applied?” on Law School Apps
10:18 - Is It Still Worth Applying?
23:16 - Tips from Departing Demons
24:53 - To Waive, or Not to Waive
30:00 - What’s the Deal with Santa Clara Law?
51:02 - Personal Statement Gong Show
1:14:38 - Word of the Week - Guffaw
Ben and Nathan weigh in on New England Law’s conditional, full-tuition scholarships. They criticize conditional scholarships that can leave a majority of students paying full price. At most law schools, only top students (typically those already with scholarships) will secure six-figure jobs. The majority of the class foot the bill, taking out exorbitant loans while earning significantly less after graduation. Ben and Nathan encourage applicants to apply broadly and attend the right school at the right price.
Later in the show, they:
Break down UC Law San Francisco’s new $100 million campaign
Reassure a student who fears they’re progressing too slowly
React to WashU personally contacting applicants’ recommenders
Links Mentioned:
Register for the New York LSAC Forum
Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” Segments.
Get caught up with our Word of the Week library.
0:32 - UC Law San Francisco $100 Million “Into the Future” Campaign
6:00 - Trusting the Process
13:48 - WashU Reaching out to Recommenders
29:30 - Policies on AI
39:15 - Caught Between Admissions Cycles
45:20 - Pearls vs. Turds
57:24 - What’s the Deal with New England Law?
1:13:05 - Personal Statement Gong Show
1:35:30 - Word of the Week
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