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  • Cornell Law Grad Exposes the Truth About Law School Rankings (Ep. 15 with Troy Anderson)
    2025/06/01

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    Troy's Email- troyandersonlsat@gmail.com

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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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    1 時間 18 分
  • Why You're Failing LSAT Logical Reasoning (And How to Fix It) (Ep.14)
    2025/05/25

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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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    50 分
  • Reddit Is Ruining Your Law School Admissions Strategy 🤡 (Ep. 13)
    2025/05/18

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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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    49 分
  • Big Law Propaganda Boy? 🤔 Let’s Set the Record Straight! (Ep. 12 with Fan Mail)
    2025/05/12

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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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    52 分
  • She Was a Dean of Admissions—Now She’s Telling Applicants the Truth (Ep. 11 with Autumn Lockett from Gradmissions)
    2025/05/04

    Autumn's Website

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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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    45 分
  • Mailbag Q&A: LSAT Planning, Score Goals, and Real Talk About Readiness (Ep. 10)
    2025/04/28

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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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    1 時間 23 分
  • Should You Register for the June LSAT? (Ep. 9 with Madeline Jesson)
    2025/04/22

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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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    1 時間 30 分
  • 2025 T14 Law School Rankings Are Here (Ep. 8)
    2025/04/09

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    In this episode, Ben is back on the mic after a short break (and a bout with COVID), ready to dive into law school rankings, admissions strategy, and LSAT prep advice. He opens with a quick anecdote about following ChatGPT’s medical advice—which surprisingly worked—and then jumps right into the buzz surrounding the 2025 law school rankings.

    Ben unpacks the newly released T14 list and cautions listeners not to obsess over minor movements in the rankings. He explains how rankings are more about generating clicks than conveying real changes and urges listeners to focus instead on employment outcomes and ROI. He discusses how schools like Cornell, while technically bumped out of the T14, still offer elite outcomes—arguing that labels like "T14" are less meaningful than people think.

    The conversation then turns to LSAT timing strategy. Ben answers listener emails, offering nuanced advice to a student debating whether to take the April LSAT or wait. He emphasizes that scoring variability is natural and students should "start swinging the bat" once they’ve hit their target score range—even if inconsistently. The episode covers how to use test dates strategically to stay on track for early applications.

    The final third of the episode shifts to admissions essays. Ben reads a submitted personal statement and offers tough-love feedback. He critiques the writer's overreliance on vague personal trauma and lack of concrete achievements or motivation for law school. His takeaway? Law school essays need to show who you are and why you're ready—not just where you’ve been. A teaser closes the show: next week, he’ll be joined by a former tutor who just got into Harvard Law.

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    53 分