Thinking LSAT
Episodes
If We Started a Law School (Ep. 352)
30 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As hybrid-online law programs make their way into the eye of the ABA, Ben and Nathan toy with the idea of creating their own law school. But first, th...
Advice for International Applicants (Ep. 351)
23 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The LSAT is first and foremost a test of English reading comprehension. Strong English reading and reasoning skills are essential because lawyers in t...
The LSAT Is Here to Stay (Ep. 350)
16 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Law schools love the LSAT. Most weigh it far more heavily than any other application component—and with good reason: The LSAT is the single most acc...
LSAT Dwarfs GPA in Admissions Formulas (Ep. 349)
09 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The LSAT is arguably the best predictor of your success in law school. It’s no wonder that law schools weigh the LSAT heavily in the admissions proc...
Don’t Bank on Loan Forgiveness, with Derek Brainard (Ep. 348)
02 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again—don’t pay for law school. Today on the show, Ben and Nathan are joined by financial advisor Derek...
How You Study Matters More (Ep. 347)
25 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Effective LSAT study requires more than just a time commitment. This week, Ben and Nathan emphasize that how you study for the LSAT matters more: More...
Get Greedy with Your LSAT (Ep. 346)
18 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to go to law school for free, you have to start getting greedy with your LSAT. Tune in this week to hear Nathan and Ben respond to a bucke...
Read Sentences, Not Passages (Ep. 345)
11 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to improve at LSAT Reading Comprehension, remember what your job is: Read the sentences, not the passage. On today’s episode, Ben and Na...
Find Your Niche with Judy the YouTube Lawyer (Ep. 344)
04 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How does a new lawyer find their niche in the legal field? Specializing in an up-and-coming area of the law might sound appealing—space law, anyone?...
How to Network Before Law School with Rachel Gezerseh (Ep. 343)
28 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Finding a job after law school doesn’t have to be a stressful ordeal. Give yourself a leg up on the competition, and start networking now. Today on ...
LSAC Acquires Law School Transparency (Ep. 342)
21 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What does LSAC’s recent acquisition mean for the future of Law School Transparency? Tune in this week for an eye-opening interview with LST founder ...
High LSAT: The Solution to All Problems? (Ep. 341)
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It might not solve all life’s problems, but a high LSAT score is the closest thing to a panacea for law school application troubles. It can overshad...
Should You Go to Law School? (Ep. 340)
08 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It takes a “special type of crazy” to really enjoy doing the work of a lawyer. Make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into before decid...
GPA First, LSAT Second (Ep. 339)
03 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re an undergraduate student earning anything less than straight A’s, you don’t need to be thinking about the LSAT yet. Now is your opport...
Read Like a Lawyer (Ep. 338)
21 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Nathan take another dive into the listener mailbag and answer questions about law school admissions. Tune in to hear about an update to the LS...
Law School Finances with an Actual Economist (Ep. 337)
14 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode, Ben and Nathan interview Harvard-trained economist Laurence J. Kotlikoff! But first, the guys answer a bucketload of listene...
The LSAT and 1L Grades (Ep. 336)
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Your LSAT score can be a strong indicator of your future success in law school. This week, Ben and Nathan discuss the relationship between the LSAT an...
Unconscious Competence in the LSAT (Ep. 335)
31 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the show, Ben and Nathan discuss the four phases of learning and why LSAT students should strive to achieve “unconscious competence” in t...
The LSAT Is a Mindset, Not a Strategy (Ep. 334)
24 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The LSAT makes perfect sense. The best way to improve is to focus on understanding one question at a time. Ben and Nathan explain why study methods th...
The Only LSAT Affirmation You’ll Ever Need (Ep. 333)
17 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Pearls vs. Turds, personal statement advice, and a bucketload of listener emails! Tune in this week to hear the lowdown on LSAT affirmations, law scho...
Burn Your Boats, and Focus on the Battle Ahead (Ep. 332)
10 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode, Ben and Nathan explain why it’s a good idea to “burn your boats” and go all in on your LSAT prep if you want to start your...
Build on a Solid Foundation (Ep. 331)
03 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Ben and Nathan drive home the importance of building a strong LSAT foundation. Even students who think they already have a decent understan...
Build on a Solid Foundation (Ep. 331)
03 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Ben and Nathan drive home the importance of building a strong LSAT foundation. Even students who think they already have a decent understan...
Law School Scammerships (Ep. 330)
27 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is all about law school admissions. The guys reveal the telltale signs of law school “scammerships.” They also discuss cycle upd...
A Space Force Sergeant and a Rabbi (Ep. 329)
20 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode, the guys answer some burning questions from a Space Force staff sergeant—and explain why it’s not a good idea to set you...
Harvard 2L Melissa Anderson—154 to 171 (Ep. 328)
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the show, the guys are joined by former LSAT Demon student and current Harvard 2L, Melissa Anderson. Tune in to hear Melissa chat about boost...
Your Undergraduate Degree and the GRE (Ep. 327)
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The ABA has recently given the GRE their stamp of approval for use in law school admissions. The guys discuss how this decision might impact future ap...
Let Your Strengths Guide Your Future (Ep. 326)
29 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After starting the show with a logical reasoning question, the guys jump into the mailbag to help some students decide when to apply to law school—a...
Pearl vs. Turd: First 10 Questions in 10 Minutes? (Ep. 325)
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The guys kick off this week’s episode with a discussion of some apoplexy-inducing proctor issues that one November test taker reported. They let lis...
Achieving “Flow” on the LSAT (Ep. 324)
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s podcast, the guys take on some bad admissions advice and encourage two students to retake the LSAT and apply next cycle. After that, ...
A Solid Patent Law Statement (Ep. 323)
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s podcast, the guys break down a Must Be True question with a tricky wrong answer. Then, they evaluate an English professor’s tips fo...
LR Elevator Pitches (Ep. 322)
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ben and Nathan get down to the nitty gritty and break down basic strategies for every question type on LSAT Logical Reasoning. They f...
Are Older Logic Games Harder? (Ep. 321)
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
More admissions questions have been rolling in, so Ben and Nathan kick off today’s show by diving into the mailbag. They answer questions about logi...
Start With a Practice Test (Ep. 320)
18 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the show, Ben and Nathan discuss a turd regarding LSAT diagnostic tests. They explain why they advise new students to just start with a pract...
The Flawed Argument Flaw and More Statements (Ep. 319)
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Nathan continue the series of reading bad personal statements and calling out violations. But first, they tackle a Flaw question from PrepTest...
A Good Personal Statement and a Frenzy of Violations (Ep. 318)
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Watch Episode 318 on YouTube Ben and Nathan have read a lot of shoddy personal statements on the show in recent weeks. If you’re wondering what a re...
A Pearl and Some Cringey Personal Statements (Ep. 317)
27 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the show, Nathan and Ben uncover a rare pearl of LSAT wisdom. This listener-submitted advice promotes a deeper understanding of the test and ...
Major Score Increases and More Personal Statements (Ep. 316)
20 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Listener personal statements have been rolling in, and Ben and Nathan are doing their best to respond to as many as possible. In what may be a new rec...
Hit-or-Miss Personal Statements and a Flaw Question (Ep 315)
13 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With the 2022 application cycle underway, more and more law school hopefuls are seeking feedback on their personal statements. Nathan and Ben are happ...
Personal Statement Torture Chamber (Ep. 314)
06 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The personal statement queue continues to grow. This week, the pod received a special request for a good personal statement example. Unfortunately, mo...
Zealous Proctors, Could’ve Been Worse Flaw, and Feral Cats (Ep. 313)
30 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Nathan and Ben kick off this week’s episode with a logical reasoning question and explain their two-step strategy for identifying a flaw. They hear ...
Slightly Better Personal Statements (Ep. 312)
23 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the show, Ben and Nathan tackle another batch of personal statements. These are better than average but still not great. They all at least ha...
Personal Statement Blitz (Ep. 311)
16 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
By popular demand, the guys spend yet another episode shredding listener personal statements. It’s that time of year. This week, six brave participa...
Personal Statement-Palooza (Ep. 310)
09 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The start of the 2022 application cycle is almost here. Anyone following Ben and Nathan’s advice is going to apply in early September with their bes...
Personal Statement-stravaganza (Ep. 309)
02 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the first-ever Thinking LSAT Personal Statement-stravaganza! In this special episode, Nathan and Ben become mock law school admissions officers...
The Bar vs. the LSAT (Ep. 308)
26 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The LSAT and the bar are the two most consequential tests that an aspiring lawyer will take. Your LSAT score factors enormously in determining where y...
How Long Should I Study? (Ep. 307)
19 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s natural for new students to wonder how much time they will have to spend preparing for the LSAT. The simple answer—as long as it takes—isn’...
A Fraternity Treasurer's Personal Statement (Ep. 306)
12 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Conclusions that are stated without sufficient evidence invite skepticism. To succeed on the LSAT, you need to be able to spot unwarranted conclusions...
Acing LSAT Sufficient Assumption Questions (Ep. 305)
05 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re not already predicting the answer to every Sufficient Assumption question on the LSAT, you’re wasting time and leaving easy points on th...
LSAT Fitness (Ep. 304)
28 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The LSAT is a test of skill, not of knowledge. It’s an intense mental exercise that requires months of training to achieve optimal performance. For ...
An Artist's Personal Statement (Ep. 303)
21 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Nathan and Ben have reviewed hundreds of personal statements from law school hopefuls. Their goal is always to provide students with constructive crit...
International LSAT Advice (Ep. 302)
14 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s internationally-focused episode features listener mail from students in Nigeria and Canada. Ben and Nathan share their thoughts on inter...
The Day Before Your Official LSAT—Revisited (Ep. 301)
07 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The June LSAT is right around the corner. What should you do on the day before the official test? On today’s episode, the guys reevaluate their long...
From Car Sales to Law (Ep. 300)
31 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The 300th episode kicks off with one of the best first drafts of a personal statement we’ve ever had on the show—after Ben and Nathan chop off the...
Ep. 299: Slow Down to Speed Up
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“How do I get faster?” LSAT teachers hear some version of this question every day. And Nathan and Ben’s answer will always be the same: Slow dow...
Ep. 298: I am. I did. I do.
17 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the start of personal statement season for students who are applying to law school this fall. If you’re struggling to organize your story or ...
Ep. 297: Service to School with Nathan Lowry
10 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s show features an interview with Nathan Lowry of Service to School, a national nonprofit organization that provides guidance and resources to...
Ep. 296: 149 to 178 with Jon-Yin Chong
03 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Many students feel the need to apply to law school as soon as possible without reaching their potential on the LSAT. But good things come to those who...
Ep. 295: Is Two Months Enough to Improve 10 LSAT Points?
26 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, Ben and Nathan dig through the listener mailbag, uncovering an Excuse of the Week, stress over multiple LSAC snafus, and an up...
Ep. 294: If Ben Hypothetically Committed Murder
19 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re gonna go into a courtroom—as a defendant—you’re gonna want the most ruthless and savvy law warrior on your side. But how far would y...
Ep. 293: Don't Break the 100% Rule for Law School Rankings
12 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In an action-packed show, the guys hit all the bases: pearls vs. turds, excuse of the week, the latest news from the law-school universe, law school a...
Ep. 292: LSAT Logic is Logical
05 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s getting later in the law school admissions cycle, and more and more offers are rolling in. Now students are faced with some tough decisions. Bu...
Ep. 291: Doing the LSAT Backwards…and Other Dumb Ideas
02 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Thinking LSAT mailbag is filled to the brim, so the guys sit down for a bonus episode of answering questions from our dear listeners. They weigh s...
Ep. 290: Ethics and Law School Admissions with Sydney Montgomery
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Since the 2019 college admissions bribery scandal, college admissions professionals have been under a new level of scrutiny. On today’s show, Ben an...
Ep. 289: Agree to Disagree with Actual Lawyer Nikki Black
22 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Many lawyers-to-be have their eyes on the good stuff. They want to do the world-saving, altruistic work that will make communities stronger and people...
Ep. 288: The Calligrapher and the Demon
15 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In what may be some kind of record, the guys dig thru their overflowing mailbag and answer a bunch of listener emails, plus they find time to hear an ...
Ep. 287: The JAG Corps with 3L Henry Carras
08 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Nathan are joined by Henry Carras, a 3L at GW who is preparing to go into the JAG (Judge Advocate General’s) Corps. Harry discusses the ins ...
Ep. 286: Go Faster with LSAT Pearls of Wisdom
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to all the LSAT advice that’s floating out there in the world, it’s hard to find much information that’s helpful. It’s hard to f...
Ep. 285: Goodbye Flex, Hello Online LSAT
22 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s not always fun to say “we told you so.” But guess what. We told you so. This week, LSAC announced that the LSAT Flex is here to stay. And w...
Ep. 284: Trump in the Woodchipper
15 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Over the past few weeks, lawyers, judges, and politically interested folks around the world were audience to the latest Trump impeachment trial. And w...
Ep. 283: Late Cycle Admissions Qs with Ann Levine
08 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Friend of the show and law school expert, Ann Levine, joins Nathan and Ben to answer some of your burning late-in-the-cycle admissions questions. The ...
Ep. 282: The LSAT Is So Aesthetic
01 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the wake of the January LSAT-Flex, there are winners and…not so winners. Nathan and Ben field some questions from folks who got shook by the Janu...
Ep. 281: LSAT Excuse of the Week
25 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you’re prepping for the LSAT, or sitting for the LSAT, or getting ready to apply for law school, there are countless obstacles that can stan...
Ep. 280: Waitlist Mania
18 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We’re well into the law school admissions cycle and letters are beginning to come back to 1L hopefuls. Included in letters that make and dash dreams...
Ep. 279: Account Lockdown and Other Application Woes
11 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Application season can be stressful, you’re gathering up your documents, your letters of rec, your personal essay, your transcripts. It can be a mes...
Ep. 278, Part 2: An LR Question and a Personal Statement
04 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The guys pick up where they left off last episode and kick things off with an LSAT LR question from practice test 65. They discuss the importance of r...
Ep. 278, Part 1: Existential Quantifiers Crisis
28 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Some. Most. Sufficient Assumption. Inference. The LSAT is full of jargon. Some of it useful, and some of it…not so much. What makes matters worse is...
Ep. 277: LSAT Prep Pearls
21 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes the best advice comes from where you least expect it. The guys take a look at an email from a UPenn computer science program and find a gold...
Ep. 276: Rachel Barnes, National Black Law Students Association Chair
14 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Black Americans are woefully underrepresented in the field of law, making up around 5% of all attorneys compared to 13% of the U.S. population. Enter ...
Ep. 275: Don't Talk to the Cops
07 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the time of year when students are visiting college campuses, sending in their admissions packets, and talking to law school admissions staffer...
Ep. 274: Jobs Without JDs
30 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Many law school hopefuls are starry-eyed and idealistic, hoping to be a force for good in the world. But after three years of Torts and Wills and Trus...
Ep. 273: The Law School Admissions Timeline
23 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As we get late into the 2021 law school admissions cycle, a new generation of 1L hopefuls are starting to study for the LSAT to apply for the 2022 sch...
Ep. 272: Winter LSAT Grab Bag
16 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Diversity statements are an oft-overlooked part of some students’ application packages. But a short and to-the-point diversity statement can give la...
Ep. 271: Networking During a Pandemic with Rachel Gezerseh
09 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to college students, 1Ls and lawyers-to-be around the world. But where one door closes…...
Ep. 270: The Lawyer Sorting Hat
02 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It’s that time of year again when 1L hopefuls are getting their sh*t together and applying to law school. But you might be wondering, “what do I e...
Ep. 269: LSAC Fee Waivers with Kalyn McDaniel
26 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The world of LSAC Fee Waivers is opaque and confusing. You may not get a clear answer as to why you were granted or denied a fee waiver, leaving many ...
Ep. 268: The Most Competitive Admissions Cycle Ever with Ann Levine
19 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This year has seen major changes to the LSAT—namely through the LSAT Flex. It’s a shorter test with just three sections that you can take from the...
Ep. 267: 143 to 173 with Santi Del Campo
12 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When Santi Del Campo started studying for the LSAT from Spain, he was scoring in the 140s. But after studying with the Thinking LSAT team, he smashed ...
Ep. 266: An Arresting Personal Statement
05 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The leaves are changing and the weather is getting colder, but the LSAT remains the same. It’s the time of year where law schools wheel out their co...
Ep. 265: The Demon Scholarship Estimator
28 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Nathan and Ben are joined by LSAT Demon tutor, Jackson, to discuss a brand-new feature of the platform—a scholarship estimator. The estimator takes ...
Ep. 264: Summer of LSAT-Flex
21 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Even though the registration deadline for the October LSAT-Flex is long past, students who took the test over the summer are just now getting their LS...
Ep. 263: The Three Stages of “Unless” Awareness
14 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The summer’s coming to an end and future 1Ls are applying to law school or getting ready to take the LSAT. And since folks are about to dive headfir...
Ep. 262: LSAT-Flex from the Trenches
07 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been almost six months since the first LSAT-Flex, and just because there’ve been several administrations, it doesn’t mean all of the issues...
Ep. 261: Transferring with 2L Kelly Buckley
31 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re a longtime listener, then you know that transferring can be a way to leverage a strong 1L performance into a more prestigious school. That...
Ep. 260: Beating the Khan Plateau
24 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
LSAC finally announced that the October LSAT will indeed be an LSAT-Flex, which should come as no surprise to Thinking LSAT listeners. But as more LSA...
Ep. 259: Private Tutoring vs. LSAT Demon
17 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
August is here! And with each month that passes, LSAC announces new updates about the LSAT-Flex. The guys jump into the latest news from LSAC and talk...
Ep. 258: Surviving Georgetown Law with Michael Bongiorno
10 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ben sits down with a former student, circuit-court clerk, and recent Georgetown Law School grad, Michael Bongiorno for a wide-ranging interview. Micha...
Ep. 257: Aaron Taylor of AccessLex
03 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Aaron Taylor, the Executive Director of the AccessLex Center for Legal Education Excellence, joins Nathan and Ben to discuss the current state of law ...
Ep. 256: The LSAT Paradox
27 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Speed. Accuracy. Success. Happiness. How do you strike a balance? If you speed through the LSAT, your accuracy may suffer. If you slow down to improve...
Ep. 255: Law School Transparency with Kyle McEntee
20 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Nathan and Ben sit down with attorney and public policy expert Kyle McEntee to discuss his non-profit, Law School Transparency. The m...