In this solo mailbag episode, Ben dives deep into LSAT score variance and why so many test-takers misunderstand their performance. He makes the case for not canceling your June LSAT score, even if it felt rough, and explains why one or two points can make or break your admissions and scholarship chances.

Ben also unpacks how law schools really view extracurriculars, volunteer hours, and softs—and why most applicants are nowhere near as “unimpressive” as they fear. He talks candidly about law school debt, which schools are actually worth six-figure loans, and why a school like Cal Western is financially dangerous.

Later in the episode, Ben gives tailored advice to high-achieving applicants, including one with a 4.0 and 170+ LSAT, discussing whether to retake and how to optimize personal statements for big law goals. Finally, he reassures a student working hard toward a 175+ that long prep times aren’t a red flag—and may even predict success in the legal field.

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In this episode, Ben sits down with Troy, a recent Cornell Law grad who shares his journey from scoring a 151 on his first LSAT to achieving a 174. Troy explains how his background in logic and philosophy helped his early progress, but also how the jump from the 160s to the 170s took months of slow, deliberate work. He emphasizes that consistent study and a deep understanding of the test—not just brute force—are what helped him break through.

Troy also shares his law school admissions journey, explaining why he ultimately chose Cornell over other elite schools. He breaks down the school's underrated placement power in big law, clerkships, and top public interest roles. He discusses the importance of outcomes-based rankings and warns against relying on reputation or USNWR rank alone, especially when scholarship money is on the table.

Ben and Troy tackle deeper issues in the LSAT and pre-law space, including the impact of accommodations on score inflation, the removal of logic games, and the declining predictive power of the LSAT. They agree that the test needs to be harder and more writing-based to reflect actual law school skills. Troy also gives invaluable writing tips for future lawyers, like eliminating passive voice and making every sentence persuasive.

The episode closes with a raw and honest conversation about the law school “grift”—the myth that any law school at any price is a good investment. Troy talks about his free mentorship program for underrepresented applicants and how he vets students to ensure long-term success, not just short-term admissions. Both he and Ben agree that transparency and strategic planning are essential in a landscape filled with misleading advice.

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In this episode, Ben Parker delivers a no-nonsense deep dive into LSAT Logical Reasoning. He explains why Logical Reasoning is two-thirds of your score on the 2025 LSAT and argues that most students fail not because the logic is hard—but because they aren't reading carefully. Ben walks through a fake LSAT-style argument to demonstrate how simple the underlying logic really is, and how test-takers often confuse correlation and causation when they should be attacking assumptions.

He discusses the psychology of LSAT struggle, calling out the passive study habits and feel-good but ineffective strategies pushed by much of the prep industry. Ben stresses that the LSAT is a reading test, first and foremost, and challenges listeners to take their prep seriously—treating every question like it’s a high-stakes decision.

Later in the episode, Ben critiques a popular admissions consulting email line by line, fact-checking and calling out myths around early application timing, optional essays, personal statement themes, resume length, and whether you should disclose where else you’re applying. The section is brutally honest and packed with admissions insight few others are willing to say out loud.

Finally, Ben hops onto Reddit to give raw, unfiltered advice to students navigating LSAT prep, career tradeoffs, and whether to quit a summer job to focus on studying. This is a must-listen for serious LSAT preppers and law school applicants ready to level up.

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In this candid mailbag-style episode, Ben answers a wave of Instagram DMs sparked by graduation season and summer LSAT prep. He starts by dispelling myths about GPA requirements for law school, emphasizing that while a high LSAT can compensate for a low GPA, it doesn’t erase concerns entirely. He explains how law schools report medians—not averages—making the extremes (both low and high scores) less impactful than applicants think. If you have a 2.5 GPA and a high LSAT, you still face an uphill battle, and law schools will expect a compelling reason for your academic underperformance.

Ben also takes aim at Reddit, especially the /r/lawschooladmissions crowd, arguing that it fosters misinformation and anxiety. He cites examples of high-scoring applicants who bombed the cycle—not because their numbers were off, but because of awkward vibes, bad writing, or just poor strategy. Ben underscores that admissions are about more than stats; law schools also want people who can write, communicate well, and not be weird in an interview.

Next, Ben offers brutally honest feedback to people who messaged him with questions ranging from whether they can take the LSAT as a Bangladeshi student to whether they should apply with a 2.6 GPA and a 162 LSAT. He argues that such profiles scream “not ready” and warns against rushing into law school without improving those numbers. For high schoolers deciding between top undergrads like Columbia and Brown, Ben explains that the decision should come down to happiness and GPA maximization, not marginal prestige differences.

Finally, Ben covers rising LSAT registration fees and closes the episode with a promise to pivot back to practical LSAT skills, including Logical Reasoning walkthroughs—his way of re-centering on actionable value for his listeners.

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In this episode, Ben Parker dives into the importance of planning to take the LSAT more than once. He breaks down the concept of score variance, explaining how even high-scoring students can see a fluctuation of several points from test to test. Ben emphasizes that it's mathematically unrealistic to assume you'll hit your peak score on a single test day, and the smartest approach is to take the LSAT early enough to give yourself multiple attempts.

Ben also responds to a critical email from a listener who accused him of having a transactional and reductive approach to legal education. He defends his stance on viewing education as an investment and discusses the often misunderstood reality of big law careers. Ben argues that while big law can be perceived negatively by some, it remains one of the most direct paths to financial security for those who prioritize high earnings.

Later in the episode, Ben shares some practical LSAT advice on reviewing Reading Comprehension (RC) sections, explaining why doing fewer passages but at a higher accuracy rate is more beneficial than rushing through all four. He also addresses a student's concerns about struggling with Logical Reasoning (LR) and offers insights on how to assess progress accurately rather than focusing solely on occasional good performances.

Ben wraps up by critiquing a problematic GPA addendum, highlighting the common mistake of over-explaining and providing excuses rather than demonstrating growth and accountability. He underscores the importance of presenting yourself professionally and realistically when applying to law schools.

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In this episode, Ben Parker sits down with Autumn Lockett, former Dean of Admissions at the University of Oklahoma and current founder of Gradmissions.org, for an unfiltered look at how law school admissions really work. Autumn shares her experience navigating the priorities of law schools—including the pressure to enroll students at full tuition—and explains how that affects waitlist management, merit aid, and exploding scholarship offers.

The conversation dives into the realities of application timelines, with both Ben and Autumn emphasizing the importance of early LSAT prep and strategic application submission. They discuss the value of professional mentorship (not just “coaching”) and why many applicants unintentionally sabotage their chances with underdeveloped essays, late submissions, or misplaced confidence in overused tropes like trauma narratives or inspirational quotes.

They also talk data. Autumn breaks down how schools use index formulas based on GPA and LSAT scores long before looking at personal statements or résumés. The two share stories about admissions myths, the impact of undergrad institutions, and why being “smart” isn’t enough—you have to put in the work.

The episode closes with Autumn explaining her firm’s approach to admissions strategy, including biweekly mentorship, application branding, and even scholarship negotiation—highlighting how thoughtful application support can pay off big in law school funding.

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In this episode, Ben Parker answers listener questions about LSAT prep strategy, timing, and mindset. He starts with advice for a student deciding whether to take the April LSAT, explaining how wide score ranges impact your decision and why retaking the test multiple times can dramatically boost your chances of reaching your goal.

Ben dives into the pros and cons of keeping a wrong answer journal. He explains why journaling isn't magic—but reviewing LSAT mistakes thoroughly is essential. He warns against getting lost in pattern-hunting and analytics instead of just doing the real work of understanding why mistakes happen.

Later, Ben talks about when you should schedule your LSAT based on your readiness, not arbitrary deadlines. He stresses that preparing properly first—and only registering once you're scoring well—is key to getting the best outcomes, including scholarships.

Finally, Ben shares a blunt but important perspective on how LSAT scores correlate with legal ability and why half-hearted LSAT prep can cost students serious money and opportunities. He wraps the episode by introducing a bonus segment: a full reading comprehension passage walkthrough with Madeline Jesson.

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In this episode, Ben Parker welcomes back LSAT tutor Madeline Jesson—Kentucky mom of two and June 2020 LSAT taker—who’s gearing up for law school this fall. They also explain why a planned “Harvard admit” interview was pulled to protect confidentiality around U.S. Attorney’s Office policies. It’s a reminder that even behind-the‑scenes logistics can shape the content you hear.

Next, they dive into whether you should sit for the June LSAT. With LSAC’s no‑refund policy, registering only makes sense if you’re within about five points of your target on full, timed practice tests. They weigh the psychological “safety‑net” of an early score against added stress, cost, and the benefits of an extra two months of prep before an August test date.

Ben and Madeline then score each of “7 Tips to Raise Your LSAT Score” from a popular online list. They praise advice that emphasizes accuracy and incremental gains (“Slow down…,” “Slow and steady…”) while calling out impractical or filler suggestions like “Read out loud…” and vague motivational pep talks. Their no‑nonsense breakdown helps you prioritize actionable strategies over buzzwords.

Finally, they workshop a live personal‑statement draft by tightening the opening vignette and focusing on two or three pivotal experiences—think balancing Division‑I athletics with a law‑firm internship. They stress showing—not just stating—your resilience and specific legal interests, so admissions committees see concrete evidence of your “why law” motivation.

Key takeaways: Base your LSAT registration on full‑length practice-test performance, not just calendar pressure. Build scores by drilling wrong answers, seeking targeted help, and tracking trends across multiple PTs. When crafting personal statements, lead with a focused story, weave in concrete legal experience, and clearly articulate your law‑school goals.

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In this episode, Ben interviews Shireen Salam, a future Harvard Law School student whose path to admission is both inspiring and grounded in real-world experience. Shireen reflects on her time as a legal assistant at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Michigan, where she worked on a wide variety of criminal cases—from narcotics to immigration—and how that exposure solidified her decision to pursue law. She speaks candidly about the evolving priorities in federal prosecution and the emotional weight of handling cases she sometimes disagrees with.

The conversation shifts into LSAT prep and application strategy, as Shireen shares how she studied for a year while juggling multiple jobs. She explains what finally worked after early struggles with motivation, and how switching to a self-directed approach helped her break through. Her story is a testament to persistence—grinding through difficult months led to a high score and eventual admission to the most prestigious law school in the country.

Shireen also opens up about her personal statement process, early application strategy, and the realities of admissions timelines. She discusses how she built her “brand” as an applicant, the importance of humility, and why Reddit is often more harmful than helpful. Whether you're aiming for Harvard or simply trying to do your best on the LSAT, Shireen’s insights are invaluable for anyone navigating the law school journey.

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In this episode, Ben interviews Shireen Salam, a future Harvard Law School student whose path to admission is both inspiring and grounded in real-world experience. Shireen reflects on her time as a legal assistant at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Michigan, where she worked on a wide variety of criminal cases—from narcotics to immigration—and how that exposure solidified her decision to pursue law. She speaks candidly about the evolving priorities in federal prosecution and the emotional weight of handling cases she sometimes disagrees with.

The conversation shifts into LSAT prep and application strategy, as Shireen shares how she studied for a year while juggling multiple jobs. She explains what finally worked after early struggles with motivation, and how switching to a self-directed approach helped her break through. Her story is a testament to persistence—grinding through difficult months led to a high score and eventual admission to the most prestigious law school in the country.

Shireen also opens up about her personal statement process, early application strategy, and the realities of admissions timelines. She discusses how she built her “brand” as an applicant, the importance of humility, and why Reddit is often more harmful than helpful. Whether you're aiming for Harvard or simply trying to do your best on the LSAT, Shireen’s insights are invaluable for anyone navigating the law school journey.