Dine's Ethos

Once I decided that I was going to law school, I had to figure out how to study for the LSAT and decide where I was going to apply. As a first-generation college student, graduating with an undergraduate degree was already a significant achievement. Taking on law school was an entirely different ballgame with a new set of challenges. I lacked any direct guidance because I didn’t have any attorneys in my family nor did I know any personally. This meant I had to navigate my law school journey independently and depend on Google to show me the way.

Studying for the LSAT

I did a lot of research about the LSAT. Read everything on the LSAC website. Looked up blogs. Watched YT videos and tried to figure out the best way to approach the test. I ordered two LSAT PrepTest books from LSAC.org. I probably only used those 3-4 times. I mainly used the Official LSAT Prep offered by Khan Academy. I started studying about a month before the test date. The recommended study time is three months of full-time study or around 150-300 hours. This breaks down to approximately 12 to 25 hours a week of studying every week. I should’ve studied for a longer period but I was procrastinating (like always). I was still deciding if I should pursue law school or a Master’s in Supply Chain Management. Once I made up my mind, it was a month before the LSAT. If I had delayed taking the LSAT, I would’ve had to wait another year before I could apply to law school. Do not do what I did. I would recommend that you study for at least three months.

Now what did studying look like in practice? I spent 4-5 hours each weekday studying and then spent 6-8 hours studying on the weekends. I followed the course on Khan Academy. I took two full-length practice tests on Khan Academy before the official test date. Because I only had about a month to study, I scheduled the first practice test in December and one in January, the weekend before I took the test. 

The LSAT is known for being one of the hardest admissions tests (according to Google lol), however, I think that is only because it’s a very different exam from the SAT, ACT, or PSAT. It is approximately 3 hours. There are 4 sections with a 10-minute intermission between the second and third sections. It’s scored on a scale from 120 to 180.

How would I approach the LSAT now?

1. Understand the test structure. Familiarize yourself with the format and the sections of the LSAT. What types of questions are in each section? How much time do you have for each section?
2. Sign up for the Official LSAT Prep offered by Khan Academy. Follow the course.
3. Take a diagnostic test.
4. Create a study schedule. Everyone’s lifestyle is different. Plan a study schedule that fits yours. You need to allocate specific times for studying each section of the LSAT and stick to your schedule consistently.
5. Focus on weak areas. You should identify your strengths and weaknesses early on so you know what to work on. (Hence #3.)
6. Practice regularly. Practice is key to improving your score. You need to take timed practice sessions regularly to build your endurance and improve your speed and accuracy.
7. Review mistakes. Analyze your mistakes thoroughly to understand why you got them wrong. Doing this will help you identify patterns and develop strategies to avoid making similar errors in the future.
8. Utilize the official LSAT Prep Tests. The LSAC offers official LSAT prep tests. Take a few of them. It’ll give you a feel of what the actual LSAT will look like.
9. Simulate test conditions. When I took the LSAT in 2019, the last time I took a standardized test was the SAT in 2013. I definitely did not have the endurance so taking practice tests under timed conditions helped me get accustomed to the time pressure. It also built my test-taking stamina.
10. Practice writing for the writing sample. Although the writing sample isn’t scored, it is still important because it will be sent to the law schools you apply to. So practice outlining and writing essays under timed conditions.
11. Take care of yourself. Don’t overlook your health while you’re studying. Get enough sleep, eat, and take breaks to prevent burnout.
12. Stay positive! I strongly strongly believe that your mindset will affect everything you do. What you choose to focus on becomes your reality. You need to maintain a positive attitude while studying and stay persistent. Planning ahead and ensuring that you create a study schedule that fits your lifestyle will make it easier for you to stay positive. So plan ahead! Be realistic when you’re creating your study schedule.

My mindset was something I had to be very intentional about because I had only given myself one month to study for the LSAT. If I had chosen to focus on the fact that I only had 1 month instead of making a game plan for it, I would’ve been paralyzed by fear and the thought of failure. Do what works for you. I wrote positive mantras on sticky notes and put them all over my room. I changed the background on my phone to a quote that motivated me. I solely focused on getting through the course on Khan Academy and retaining the study techniques that worked for me. My family was also very encouraging, especially my father. He’d tell me that he was sure I’d pass. He’d tell me I was smart. These deliberate efforts were instrumental in maintaining my positive attitude and adherence to my studying schedule.

Just keep in mind that if you’re taking the LSAT exam after June 2024, you will need to switch to LawHub for updated prep materials to support changes to the test.

On the day of my LSAT exam, I woke up early, ate breakfast, and drove to the testing center 45-60 minutes before the start time. They were very strict about what we could bring in – we had to bring in our supplies (pencil, snack, ID) in a clear Ziplock bag. About fifteen minutes into our first section, one person walked out of the test and never came back. Another person showed up 15-20 minutes late.

Ever since I moved to Utah, I have always studied at coffee shops. It has helped me to be able to take exams even with distractions around. So I’d recommend doing that too because you’ll hear people breathing, tapping their pencils, bouncing their legs, grinding their teeth, etc. If you’re not used to noise, you won’t be able to focus on the test. (This realllllly helped me when I took the bar exam!)

It is $222 to take the LSAT. There are fee waivers available. You can access them on the same website you use to register for the LSAT. I took the LSAT on January 26, 2019, and our scores were released on February 16, 2019. I scored in the 70th percentile. 

Choosing my law school

As I delved deeper into researching law schools, the prominence of Ivy League institutions and the notion that only the top law schools could guarantee success and lucrative earnings became increasingly emphasized. However, this perception isn’t necessarily accurate. Over time, discussions about alma maters, class rankings, and GPAs fade in relevance, except where mandated by specific career paths. It is essential to prioritize what aligns with your goals. Take a pragmatic approach: analyze the data about law schools, consider logistics, and make the decision that resonates with your aspirations. 

When looking into law schools, I only considered schools in Utah, Georgia, and Washington. Utah was a given because we live there. Georgia because my older sister lives there and Washington because I’ve always wanted to be with Bella and Edward in the woods lol. Realistically though, I knew that the most sensible choice for me, financially and mentally, would be to attend law school in Utah. Every resource I consulted underscored the demanding nature of law school and emphasized the necessity of a strong support system. So I knew that moving to an entirely different state and having to adjust while I was acclimating to law school would make the entire process even more challenging for me. 

Being limited to Utah, I only had the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law (the U) and Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School (BYU) to consider. 

Now the entire thought process I had choosing between the U and BYU deserves an entirely separate post to unravel lol but to sum it up… I was concerned that my legal education would be influenced by the LDS teachings. I did not want to be swayed one way or the other because of the doctrines of the church. I also researched what the commute would be like for me since BYU is in Provo. I would have to park at a UTA TRAX station and take the Frontrunner. It would be a few hours of commuting every day. So I only applied to the U. I could’ve applied to more schools but realistically, I knew even if I was accepted to a school outside of UT, I most likely wouldn’t go. 

My law school application

While I was studying for the LSAT, I was also working on my law school application. Most law schools require that JD applicants use the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) to submit their applications. The CAS subscription costs $200 and it compiles your transcripts, letters of recommendations and any other documents required by your law school applications. Once it compiles all the required documents, it will send a CAS report to the law schools you’ve chosen. Each CAS report is $45. This fee is separate from the application fee of each law school.

Before I even decided where I was going to law school, I requested my recommendation letters. (If you’re going to apply to undergrad or grad school, remember that you’ll need recommendation letters! Develop a professional relationship with your supervisors, professors, teachers so that when you need a recommendation letter, they’ll be able to write a stellar one.) You need to request your recommendation letters early on so that the recommenders have enough time. I also requested my transcripts from the U and ASCC. Wrote my personal statement. Updated my resume. Paid the $60 application fee, submitted my application to the U and waited to see if I got in.

I received my acceptance letter in April 2019. Out of the 761 individuals who applied to SJQ in 2019, 311 were given offers of admission. There were a total of 104 students in my first-year class. The average LSAT score was 160 and the average UGPA was 3.61. 

I found out I got into law school because my mom posted a photo of my acceptance letter on Facebook and tagged me. Doesn’t that just scream Samoan mom? Lol. I saw it while I was at work. I went to the bathroom, shed a tear or two then continued on with my day.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have parents and siblings who understand what it takes to get an education. My parents have consistently invested their time, finances, and effort to ensure I had every resource necessary to thrive academically. Whether it was covering the costs of math tutors, SAT prep courses, or enrolling me in private schools, they created a supportive environment where my focus could solely be on my studies. Their support undoubtedly made my educational journey smoother than most.

For anyone already embarking on the LSAT preparation journey or applying to law school, I urge you to engage in candid discussions with your family and close friends about the commitment you are making. It’s no secret that law school is extremely demanding. Some relationships do not make it out of law school lol. You might burn a few bridges. Become an alcoholic. It’s essential to be mentally and emotionally prepared for the rigors of law school, but it’s equally crucial to prepare your loved ones, as their support and understanding will significantly impact your journey.