Breaking Down the New Rankings (Ep. 403) - a podcast by Nathan Fox and Ben Olson
from 2023-05-22T10:00
After months of delays, the new law school rankings have arrived. Will changes to U.S. News’s methodology mean fewer merit scholarships? Ben is joined by TLP producer Erik to discuss the new rankings and how they might affect prospective law students. Later, Ben and Erik dig into the correlation–causation flaw, discuss the trouble with study timelines, and advise applicants on whether and how to write a GPA addendum.
1:57 - Law School Rankings - Ben and Erik recap U.S. News’s tumultuous year and consider how the new ranking methodology might impact law schools’ admissions and scholarship decisions.
- LSAC claims the LSAT is the most accurate predictor of law school success.
- A Journal of Empirical Studies article questions the correlation between LSAT and LGPA.
31:57 - Correlation vs. Causation - Ben breaks down the correlation–causation flaw. While correlation alone doesn’t prove causation, it is evidence of causation.
38:40 - Study Tips for a Marine - An anonymous student who’s also an active duty Marine officer asks for advice on how to study for the LSAT. Ben and Erik explain why LSAT Demon is the perfect study tool for a student who frequently travels. They also encourage Anonymous not to settle for a 155 target score.
44:15 - When Should I Start Studying? - Listener Rebecca asks for help plotting out her LSAT study timeline. Ben and Erik advise Rebecca not to plan backward from a particular test date or admissions cycle. Instead, she should start studying without a timeline and to take a gap year if needed.
51:11 - GPA Addendum - Erik and Ben review listener Spencer's GPA addendum and offer some general rules for how to approach your GPA addendum—or whether to write one at all.
1:01:43 - Work-Study vs. Law School - Listener Breanna asks for the guys’ opinion on a program that would allow her to take the bar exam after a four-year work-study program with a judge or attorney in lieu of attending law school. Ben and Erik are optimistic but encourage Breanna to do her due diligence on the program’s job outcomes.
Further episodes of Thinking LSAT
Further podcasts by Nathan Fox and Ben Olson
Website of Nathan Fox and Ben Olson