What I Wish I knew Before Applying to Law School

1. Don’t expect your journey to look a particular way, it’s easy to scroll through LinkedIn and see people posting about getting into their dream law school or an Ivy League and assume their path was smooth and effortless. But the reality is very different. There are hundreds of applicants who apply and get waitlisted or rejected. Some take time to gain work experience. Some spend months studying to improve their LSAT score. Some reapply the following year. And many of them eventually succeed. There are also students who attend one law school, excel there, and later transfer to their dream school. Success doesn’t follow one straight, predictable path.If things don’t work out exactly as you planned, that doesn’t mean you’re off track. It just means your journey looks different. Don’t compare your timeline to someone else’s highlight reel. You never truly know what it took for them to get there — and your path is allowed to unfold in its own way.

2. Contrary to popular belief, preparing for the LSAT isn't a quick task. It isn’t a test you can cram for. Everyone’s timeline is different. My advice would be to some research on LSAT books and prep courses, figure out, which works best for you and develop a plan from there. I personally recommend reading the loophole by Ellen Cassidy and tutoring lessons with Elemental Prep.  

3. The stress of the admissions process can take a toll on your mental health. Find what helps you get through the stress and uncertainty. For me, this meant leaning on my faith, connecting with my Muslim community, and leaning on family and friends for support. Every applicant should develop healthy outlets to deal with because it can feel overwhelming at times, but please be assured that you will end up at the school, you’re meant to go to. There are dozens of incredible law schools out there, all of which will lead you to where you’re meant to go.

4. Don't be intimidated by statistics like median LSAT scores or GPA's. If you really want to shoot your shot at a particular school, go for it. Don’t decide that a school doesn’t want you before you even apply. It's not your job to judge your application, leave that to the admissions officers.

5. Taking time off after graduating is okay. Law school isn’t going anywhere. I made the decision to take three years off, gain work experience in big law, rack up some savings, work on studying for the LSAT , and spend time with my family before applying. Everyone's circumstances differ, whether your a KJD or you choose to take time off, just make sure you are doing what is best for your situation. You shouldn't feel pressured to apply before you're ready. 

6. I know it is easier said then done, but once you submit your application, you just need to let the process play itself out. It is so easy to get caught up in Reddit posts, or LSD chats, and compare yourself to other applicants, don't. You will end up at the school that you are supposed to end up at. No amount of refreshing the status checker, or scrolling Reddit is going to make the process go by faster.

7. Lastly I would say have hope, and expect to be successful. By the time you submit your application you've spent hours studying for the LSAT, worked hard to prove yourself academically in college, and built your resume. Have hope that your hard work is going to pay off!