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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 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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In this episode, Ben Parker dives into the growing "Guru effect" in the LSAT prep world, calling out misleading marketing tactics that resemble multi-level marketing schemes. He critiques certain LSAT prep providers who create unnecessary jargon to lock students into their services, making it seem like they have access to exclusive strategies. He also highlights how some charge astronomical tutoring fees that aren't justified by their actual value.

Ben then shifts to a discussion on LSAT study habits, emphasizing the importance of immediate review after practice sections. He explains how delaying review by a day or more can make it harder to recall thought processes, reducing the effectiveness of studying. Additionally, he stresses why prospective law students should start preparing now if they plan to apply in the upcoming admissions cycle, outlining the risks of delaying LSAT prep and how it can cost applicants significant time and money.

In the final segment, Ben critiques a poorly edited personal statement that was supposedly reviewed by a professional consultant. He dissects the writing errors, lack of clarity, and excessive wordiness, emphasizing that such mistakes can derail a law school application. He encourages applicants to be skeptical of overpriced admissions services and to take control of their own application process.

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This week’s episode is a quick one, but packed with important reminders—if you’re planning to apply to law school this fall, now is the time to get serious about the LSAT. With only five months until applications open, delaying your prep could mean pushing law school back another year. Don’t let procrastination make that choice for you!

I also go off on a bit of a tangent about critical thinking, belief systems, and some thoughts on Mormonism and the CES Letter. If you’re here strictly for LSAT content—fair enough! But hey, future lawyers need to be comfortable questioning ideas and thinking critically.

If you need a place to start, check out our free LSAT course at heyfuturelawyer.com. You can also take a diagnostic on LawHub or our website to see where you stand. See you next week!

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In this episode, Ben Parker dives deep into law school rankings and why they’re often misleading. He breaks down which schools are overrated and which are underrated based on actual employment data—not arbitrary rankings. Georgetown, Minnesota, and Arizona State come under fire, while Tulane, Miami, and UCI get some love for offering better ROI. If you’re applying to law school, you NEED to hear this before making a decision.

💡 Also covered: ✅ The real cost of law school (spoiler: some schools will financially ruin you) ✅ How to choose a law school based on job placement, not just ranking ✅ Why your LSAT prep might be failing you (and how to fix it) ✅ A brutally honest resume review—what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid overselling

🔥 Want to make smarter law school decisions? Hit play and let’s get into it!

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In this episode, we break down the science of learning and apply it directly to LSAT prep. Many students approach studying in ways that are proven to be ineffective, despite decades of research on how humans actually learn best. We dive into evidence-based strategies, such as retrieval practice, spaced repetition, and interleaving concepts, to maximize LSAT improvement. Plus, we tackle one of the biggest mistakes students make—avoiding timed practice—and explain why embracing the clock early is crucial for success on test day.

We also analyze a listener's law school resume and discuss what makes a compelling application. From SAT tutoring to private chef experience, we explore which details strengthen a law school personal statement and which should be left out. Along the way, we give actionable advice on structuring a resume to highlight real skills and impact. Finally, we review an LSAT and GPA addendum, explaining when and how to write these optional statements to provide context—without sounding like you're making excuses.

If you're prepping for the LSAT or applying to law school, this episode is packed with tips to sharpen your study habits and application strategy. Tune in to avoid common pitfalls and ensure you're preparing in the most effective way possible!