In this episode, Ben Parker dives into the latest LSAC applicant data showing a massive 32.9% year-over-year increase in law school applications—making the 2026 admissions cycle the most competitive in history. He explains why more applicants and stagnant class sizes mean that even strong candidates will find it harder to secure spots and scholarships. Ben also breaks down LSAT score distribution trends, revealing that while top scores are slightly up in raw numbers, the overall percentile landscape is tightening.

Ben then turns his attention to the misinformation epidemic on Reddit, dissecting a post that claimed to offer “tips” for earning a T25 full scholarship. He explains why much of the advice circulating online is dangerously misleading, emphasizing that law school admissions remain overwhelmingly numbers-driven, with LSAT and GPA medians determining nearly everything. Through a humorous yet blunt critique, he reminds listeners that “exceptions don’t disprove rules” and urges applicants to prioritize real prep over Reddit myths.

The episode also features a live personal statement “shred”, where Ben reviews a listener’s essay in real time—critiquing structure, tone, and strategy. He advises applicants to focus on demonstrating competence, maturity, and initiative, rather than trauma-dumping or rehashing undergrad experiences. The segment highlights how to transform an average essay into one that communicates strength, purpose, and readiness for law school.

Ben closes by reaffirming his belief that most applicants don’t take the LSAT seriously enough—and that disciplined study, not short timelines or magical thinking, separates high scorers from the rest. As always, he keeps it brutally honest, mixing humor, data, and tough love to help future law students cut through the noise and make smarter admissions decisions.

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In this episode, Ben Parker dives into one of the most controversial debates in LSAT prep: the formal logic approach versus the intuitive reading approach. Ben argues that most LSAT students are taught to overcomplicate the test by memorizing symbols, contrapositives, and diagramming rules, when in reality the LSAT is a test of reading comprehension—not logic. Using real Reddit exchanges, LSAT examples, and hilarious analogies (from sheep and mammals to group projects gone wrong), he breaks down why conditional reasoning is far simpler than most test-takers think.

Ben explains that confusion on the LSAT doesn’t come from misunderstanding “logic” but from misunderstanding language. He discusses how diagramming became an LSAT habit leftover from the old Logic Games section and why it’s now holding people back. Instead of translating the test into symbols, Ben advocates for reading to understand—what he calls the “intuitive way”—and offers practical advice for how to apply this mindset across Logical Reasoning and Reading Comp.

The episode also explores why people get defensive about this topic, the LSAT industry’s role in perpetuating unnecessary complexity, and how Hey Future Lawyer’s philosophy differs from traditional prep companies. Ben closes with a look ahead at how he’s building a better LSAT prep system—one that treats students like intelligent readers, not logic robots—and invites listeners to submit their personal statements for live feedback on the show.

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In this episode, Ben dives into the upcoming Jumpstart Your January LSAT prep package, why it might be a smart move for students targeting the January LSAT, and how poor planning around prep timelines hurts applicants. He highlights the financial stakes tied to LSAT scores and reminds listeners that applying late in the cycle often costs both admissions chances and scholarship money.

The conversation then shifts to the student loan changes shaking legal education. Ben lays out why many lower-ranked law schools may be on the brink of closure, arguing that private lenders won’t bankroll institutions with poor job placement and bar passage outcomes. He critiques Santa Clara’s recent “scholarship” strategy, showing how it ignores the reality of living expenses and reveals the deeper cracks in the system.

Ben also shares insights from the Miami LSAC Forum, reflecting on the culture of bad admissions advice, the illusion of prestige, and the importance of focusing on substance over appearances. He warns students against banking on transfers and explains why investing in the LSAT is a far more reliable route.

Finally, the episode touches on Texas’ push to move away from ABA accreditation, the record-breaking 47,000 registrations for the November LSAT, and listener Q&As about scoring plateaus and running out of practice tests. With his usual mix of blunt realism and humor, Ben breaks down the shifting landscape of law school admissions and LSAT prep.

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This episode opens with updates from Hey Future Lawyer, including a free upcoming LSAT session and the start of the October group. Then, Ben and Madeline dive into life as a 1L. Madeline shares that while law school has its challenges, it feels more like a marathon than a sprint, with manageable ups and downs. The conversation highlights the importance of stamina, time management, and avoiding excuses—parallels that carry over directly to LSAT prep.

From there, the discussion moves into the realities of legal careers, illustrated with an anecdote about the demanding nature of big law. Ben emphasizes the trap of procrastination and wasted screen time, urging listeners to take responsibility for their LSAT prep rather than rationalizing avoidance. Both he and Madeline agree that consistent effort—even small increments of daily progress—pays off over time.

The episode then shifts to admissions data, starting with Belmont Law’s 50% application increase and LSAT registration numbers that suggest another competitive cycle. They warn against overinterpreting single data points but agree that the general trend is toward rising difficulty in admissions. The pair stress that applying early and with strong numbers is crucial, cautioning against rushing an application when waiting a cycle could mean better schools and better scholarships.

Finally, Ben and Madeline field listener emails, covering topics like how to explain gaps on a resume, whether score preview is worth buying, and the trade-offs between applying early versus waiting for a higher LSAT score. They critique the LSAC’s practices around score preview and release dates, and they warn against overreliance on Reddit or TikTok admissions advice. The message is clear: strong numbers and solid essays win, but self-awareness and patience are just as important for long-term legal career success.

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In this episode, Ben Parker breaks down why the 2026 law school admissions cycle is shaping up to be one of the most chaotic ever. Applications are way up, LSAT scores are rising across the board, and competition for top schools is reaching unprecedented levels. Students will need higher scores and stronger resumes than ever before to stand out.

A major factor is the recent elimination of GradPLUS loans, which previously allowed students to borrow unlimited amounts for law school. Ben explains how this change disrupts the entire system: lower-tier schools lose their financial lifeline, mid-tier schools face shrinking enrollments, and even elite schools must rethink scholarship strategies. While wealthy institutions with billion-dollar endowments may weather the storm, many smaller schools simply won’t survive.

Ben doesn’t hold back in calling out schools like California Western, digging into their financials to show how quickly they could collapse without endless federal loan dollars. He predicts that 20–30 law schools could close in the near future, with even more disappearing over the next decade. In his view, this contraction may actually be good for students, since fewer people will end up saddled with crushing debt for degrees that don’t pay off.

Alongside these big-picture predictions, the episode also features practical LSAT advice. Ben shares why running out of time is normal for test-takers in the 150s, why you shouldn’t stress about finishing every question, and why starting LSAT prep early is the smartest move you can make. He also reads listener emails, including one student who jumped from a 153 to a 166 in just four months, proving that disciplined prep can transform outcomes even in this brutal cycle.

To wrap things up, Ben critiques a listener’s personal statement. He praises the strong start, offers targeted edits to cut fluff and highlight achievements, and explains how to avoid drawing attention to weaknesses like resume gaps. His blunt but constructive feedback makes the essay far stronger and offers lessons for anyone writing their own law school personal statement.

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In this episode, Ben Parker and Madeline Jesson dive deep into the realities of law school, LSAT preparation, and how the two intersect. Madeline, now a 1L on a full scholarship, shares her first impressions of law school workload, time management, and how her LSAT skills have translated into her studies. Ben and Madeline explore whether certain reasoning abilities are truly teachable, or if some people simply “have it or don’t” when it comes to logic and comprehension.

They also connect LSAT logic to legal doctrines, especially how conditions, intent, and legal elements appear in torts and criminal law. Madeline explains how law professors rarely frame concepts as “sufficient” or “necessary conditions,” but LSAT training helps her interpret the language more clearly. The two discuss the broader debate over LSAT question types, shortcuts, and heuristics, concluding that true success comes down to strong reading and reasoning rather than over-categorization.

From there, the conversation shifts toward the financial side of law school. Ben and Madeline tackle the controversial new federal loan changes — what they mean for lower-tier law schools, student debt, and the predatory cycle of borrowing. They argue that studying for the LSAT is the highest ROI investment a student can make, often worth thousands of dollars per hour in scholarship value, compared to the crushing mathematics of student loans.

Finally, they answer a listener’s question about retaking the LSAT after a disappointing test day performance, emphasizing strategy, timing, and the importance of applying early in the law school cycle. Madeline shares her own admissions experience, including acceptances to UVA and Georgetown, and reflects on how applying early helped her gain opportunities that might not have been possible later in the cycle. Together, they reinforce that a high LSAT score and early, strategic applications remain the most powerful tools for future law students.

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This episode kicks off with a reminder that law school applications open on Labor Day, making it the perfect time to cut through the noise surrounding admissions. Ben highlights how online forums—particularly Reddit’s r/lawschooladmissions—often spread misinformation. He critiques the echo chamber of anxious applicants who exaggerate the difficulty of getting into law school and perpetuate myths about what really matters in the admissions process.

From there, the conversation turns to one of the biggest misconceptions: applying early doesn’t matter. Ben strongly disagrees, pointing out that both schools and consultants downplay the importance of timing for their own incentives. He explains why November is already late in the cycle and how LSAT variance means that relying on a single sitting can tank an otherwise strong application. Numbers—specifically LSAT and GPA—remain the driving force in admissions, no matter what law schools or consultants claim.

The episode also challenges the narrative that soft factors like work experience, essays, or “employability” outweigh the numbers. While it’s true that being a weirdo can sink you, Ben makes clear that most applicants are not finished products—and law schools don’t expect them to be. Instead, what matters is showing potential backed by LSAT and GPA medians, which directly tie into rankings, bar passage, and employment outcomes.

Finally, Ben critiques a real personal statement submitted by a listener. He stresses that law schools don’t care about your “why law” story or your childhood insecurities; they want to see evidence that you’ll kick ass in law school and beyond. Essays should frame applicants as strong, capable, and compelling—not as works in progress.

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In this episode, Ben dives deep into LSAT Reading Comprehension, breaking down why it isn’t about gimmicks or shortcuts—it’s about real understanding. He explains how dense, poorly written passages trip students up and why slowing down, reading actively, and focusing on comprehension will transform your score. Ben also gives actionable tips like using three guiding questions for active reading, identifying the main point as your “North Star,” and resisting the temptation to skim or over-highlight.

Beyond RC strategy, Ben shares insights into mindset and preparation. He stresses that success on the LSAT isn’t about innate brilliance but about perspective, accountability, and consistent practice. Using analogies from sports and his own lacrosse days, he illustrates how you “win in practice, not on game day.” He also warns against lazy shortcuts like chasing thesis statements or reading between the lines—what matters is what the text actually says.

The episode rounds out with a listener email about burnout, where Ben offers practical advice on balancing study time, prioritizing accuracy over speed, and avoiding exhaustion while juggling life commitments. He finishes with a candid critique of common mistakes in law school personal statements—like clichés, resume dumps, or passive trauma narratives—and emphasizes writing essays that show real action and growth.

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