Santa Clara Law is offering every admitted student a $16,000 scholarship to align tuition with the new federal loan cap for law school borrowers. Ben and Nathan discuss whether loan caps can rein in skyrocketing tuition, share wisdom from a departing Demon user, unpack the University of Miami’s AI essay prompt, and offer reassurance to students stressed by LSAT scheduling woes.

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0:26 - Santa Clara Scholarships

Nathan and Ben react to Santa Clara Law’s new PLEDGE scholarship, which effectively lowers tuition to just under the $50,000 federal loan cap. Borrowing limits are a step in the right direction for controlling law school costs.

24:04 - Tips from a Departing Demon

Demon student Abigail, who improved her LSAT from 159 to 176, offers a parting piece of advice: take breaks. She encourages students to let the material settle and give themselves time to recharge. Nathan and Ben highlight her success as proof that steady, balanced preparation works.

28:34 - University of Miami AI Essay Prompt

Demon teacher Beatriz highlights Miami Law’s unusual essay prompt that requires applicants to use generative AI. Nathan and Ben credit the school for recognizing AI’s growing role in lawyering and suggest other schools should follow suit.

36:06 - Scheduling Woes Strike Again

A Reddit user vents about not finding a time slot for the October LSAT. Nathan reassures students that LSAC always opens more seats.

38:21 - Letters of Recommendation

Two listeners ask for advice on letters of recommendation:

Morgan debates which supervisor to ask for a letter of recommendation. Ben and Nathan recommend choosing the one who knows Morgan best.

Abo wonders if decade-old letters of recommendation can still be used to apply to law schools. The guys advise Abo to get updated letters.

47:51 - “Should I Stay or School I Go?”

An engineer is considering law school. Ben and Nathan encourage him to research the opportunities that patent law offers, but suggest that staying in engineering might lead to better career outcomes.

57:21 - What’s the Deal with Detroit Mercy?

Ben and Nathan investigate Detroit Mercy Law, which just got ABA approval for a fully online JD program. The guys explore what this approval could mean for legal education. They dig into the school’s stats and highlight its Canadian–U.S. dual degree.

1:15:35 - Personal Statement Gong Show

Cody takes the stage on the Personal Statement Gong Show, chasing Sophia’s record of 34 lines.

1:33:39 - Word of the Week - Augur

“The obligation to exercise reasonable professional skill and judgment—under either constitution—does not encompass an obligation to augur an about-face by the United States Supreme Court.”

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Ben and Nathan dig into a law professor’s claim that law school tuition is collapsing and explain what that really means for future students. More than 80% of students receive institutional scholarships. A strong LSAT score and GPA set you up to take advantage of the broken system rather than fall victim to it.

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0:31 - The Law School Tuition “Collapse”

Ben and Nathan discuss a blog post by Professor Paul Campos on declining law school tuition. From 2010 to 2023, average tuition dropped by $9,000 (adjusted for inflation). The guys remind listeners that only one in five students actually pays full price, and those who do are often the least financially equipped. Improving your LSAT score and GPA is the surest way to secure a scholarship and avoid paying for law school.

19:27 - Tips from Departing Demons

Ben and Nathan share advice from departing Demon students who crushed the August LSAT.

Olivia: Never give up.

Keisha: Treat your official test like your practice tests.

Sophie: Don’t rush! Slow down, and the improvement will come.

Andrea: Avoid law school debt by following the Demon way.

33:22 - Are Optional Essays Really Optional?

Susan wonders if she should submit optional essays with her applications. Ben and Nathan say: only if you have something good to add. LSAT and GPA remain the biggest factors in law school applications. For the top T14 schools, optional essays may be more useful to include. Ben also reminds Susan that her personal statement should show, not tell.

41:04 - How to Structure Studying

Katherine asks how to structure her study time for maximum improvement. Ben and Nathan advise her to focus on one question at a time, prioritizing accuracy, and to mix drilling with timed sections.

50:55 - Career Aspirations

A listener wonders if stating a desire to become a prosecutor could hurt their application. Ben and Nathan explain that vague career goals aren’t persuasive, but if you have concrete experience, a short mention is fine.

56:25 - Time for the Early Decision Talk

Ovadia is considering an early-decision application to a T14 school. Nathan is skeptical of her chances and warns that scholarships through early decisions are rarely full rides. They recommend applying broadly to maximize her scholarship potential and improving her LSAT if she’s serious about T14.

1:10:08 - Personal Statement Gong Show

Amanda, a past contestant, writes in to thank Ben and Nathan for their feedback. Then Britt steps up as the next Gong Show contestant. In this segment, Ben and Nathan read your personal statement until they reach an unforgivable mistake—then they ring the gong. The record to beat is 34 lines, set by listener Sophia.

1:23:07 - Word of the Week

The article presented the salient facts of the dispute clearly and concisely.

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Ben and Nate review a letter from the ABA council chair outlining the standards behind ongoing accreditation revisions. Line by line, the guys conclude the same thing: the ABA underperforms in its efforts to protect law students, from the lack of transparency surrounding the actual price of law school to the ever-increasing cost of a legal degree. Protect yourself by crushing the LSAT, applying early and broadly, and attending the right school at the right price.

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⁠Watch Episode 524 on YouTube⁠

0:31 – Tips from Departing Demons

Ben and Nate share the top tips from departing Demon students who crushed the August exam.

• Andrew: Just read the damn words.

• Mario: Don’t take an official test until your scores show you’re ready.

• Stevan: Get greedy.

• Megan: The advice to “slow down” applies to you.

• Sam: It takes hard work.

7:59 – ABA Standards and Values

The ABA council chair’s recent letter highlights their guiding standards for revised accreditation. They claim to act in the name of consumer protection and professional integrity, but many of their standards read like lip service. Ben and Nathan point out how the ABA underperforms by its own values—especially around transparency. Simply put, the law school pricing system is stacked against students. This makes it vital to focus on the actual price paid rather than the sticker price. The best way to protect yourself: crush the LSAT and attend the right school at the right price.

36:26 – Is Going to an ABA School Necessary?

Gabriel is weighing a top-tier ABA school against a state-accredited option. While elite schools are useful for breaking into big law, the bigger question is whether you understand the path to practice. Price should still be your top concern. $75,000 isn’t cheap, but with the right LSAT performance, you can likely find a school for free.

44:35 – Practice Tests

Mehdi asks whether practice tests are still relevant after the latest changes to the LSAT. Ben and Nate suggest avoiding Reddit. The LSAT has always been a test of reading and comprehension. The removal of logic games doesn’t change that. Mehdi mentions planning for the November test. Ben and Nathan push back, insisting that choosing a test date in advance is premature.

53:32 – A JD Isn’t a Gravy Train

John shares a story about meeting a law grad now working at a building supply store. It’s a reminder that a JD alone doesn’t guarantee financial stability or prestige. Listeners should carefully weigh the cost of law school against realistic career outcomes.

56:00 – What’s the Deal with Mitchell Hamline School of Law?

Ben and Nate dive into John’s story by looking at the supply clerk’s alma mater: Mitchell Hamline School of Law, “Minnesota’s Law School of Choice.”

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1:17:09 – Word of the Week: Lacunae

“A common law prosecution is not possible, therefore, unless there is a true gap in the statutory system, and today there are few lacunae.”

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