Ben Olson and Nathan Fox started the Thinking LSAT Podcast to become better LSAT teachers and have some fun. Please 1) subscribe, 2) rate and review, and 3) send us questions: [email protected]. Don't pay for law school! Learn more at lsatdemon.com
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Nathan Fox And Ben Olson Podcasts
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The Early Application Advantage (Ep. 530)
1:16:06
1:16:06
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Nathan and Ben highlight a notable increase in law school applications per the latest LSAC reports. These numbers have nervous students rushing to apply this cycle, even though they don't have a strong LSAT score. Nathan and Ben explain that November is already late. Instead, they encourage applicants to wait and apply next year to take advantage o…
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Ben and Nathan explain why applying broadly maximizes admissions and scholarship opportunities. They advise students to consider waiting another cycle to submit the strongest application possible. Also in this episode: An Ask-button question about reading each passage thoroughly Ben and Nathan’s take on law school applications that ask where else y…
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Ben and Nathan weigh in on New England Law’s conditional, full-tuition scholarships. They criticize conditional scholarships that can leave a majority of students paying full price. At most law schools, only top students (typically those already with scholarships) will secure six-figure jobs. The majority of the class foot the bill, taking out exor…
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When Law Schools Can't Deliver (Ep. 527)
1:42:14
1:42:14
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Ben and Nathan dig into the ABA’s decision to put Cooley Law School on probation and the broader issue of weak oversight in legal education. They also cover addenda for multiple LSAT scores, early acceptances, and retaking for better scholarships. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 527 on YouTube 0:28 - Cooley Law on Pr…
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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 str…
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Law School Tuition Collapse (Ep. 525)
1:29:11
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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. Study with our Free Plan Download …
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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. …
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Personal Statement Gong Show (Ep. 523)
2:19:37
2:19:37
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Ben and Nathan host a special marathon edition of the Personal Statement Gong Show. They kick things off by laying out the fundamentals of personal statements—what they are, what to write about, and when to start. Then, nine students face the gong, each vying to set a record and earn their place in Thinking LSAT Gong Show history. Study with our F…
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Confusing Answers Are Wrong (Ep. 522)
1:20:38
1:20:38
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When you substitute understanding with gimmicks, you hamper your score now and in the long term. Tips like “10 questions in 10 minutes” or “If you don’t understand an answer, it’s probably correct” excuse poor reading and rushed test-taking. When you accept that the LSAT is easy and every question is solvable, you’re more likely to commit to a prob…
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You’re Never Early with a Bad Score (Ep. 521)
1:11:35
1:11:35
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Ben and Nate break down the measurable cost of applying late in the law school admissions cycle. Your LSAT score has the most value on the day that applications open. By rushing your LSAT or applying late in the cycle, you sacrifice points and leave money on the table. With AI poised to disrupt the legal market, it’s more important than ever to go …
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Ben and Nathan share strategies for using visualization to stay engaged in Reading Comprehension. They also explain that getting a full-ride to law school takes more than just a high LSAT score—your application timing, school choices, and willingness to walk away from weak offers all matter. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch …
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Ben and Nathan field a handful of questions with a common theme: they come from students who are moving too fast on the LSAT, attempting too many questions, and failing to understand what they’re reading. In other words, they’re rushing to failure. The solution is simple: Attempt one question at a time. If you miss it, review until you understand w…
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Thinking LSAT Show Notes In preparation for test week, Ben and Nathan remind students of a foundational piece of advice: treat the official test exactly like you would any other practice test. They apply that advice to everything from testing location decisions to your test week study plan. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch E…
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Ben and Nathan push back against hype-driven decisions, urging students to ignore rising August LSAT registrations and wait to test until their practice scores consistently reflect readiness. They caution against chasing perceived trends, whether that means rushing to take an “easier” test or relying on gimmicks like diagramming. Even if more condi…
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This week, Josh and Nate tackle the misconception that the Demon isn’t built for beginners—a belief that emerges from the absence of an introduction to LSAT “theory”. They explain that a bloated curriculum, disconnected from questions, often confuses students and can even reduce scores. The Demon advocates jumping right into questions and letting t…
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After an influx of GPA addenda questions, Nathan and Josh address several examples in a rapid-fire segment. Their main point: you probably shouldn’t write one at all. Addenda highlight weaknesses and provide information that admissions committees may hold against you. Skip the sob stories and focus on showing why you’ll succeed in law school. Stud…
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Parallel Reasoning Is Easy (Ep. 514)
1:49:51
1:49:51
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Ben and Nathan tackle Parallel Reasoning questions, a question type that some students prefer to skip. They assure listeners that these questions work just like any other LSAT question. Gimmicks—like reading the question first or diagramming—don’t help and only distract from the core task. Focus instead on reading for comprehension and understandin…
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On this week’s Thinking LSAT, Josh joins Ben to answer questions from students who feel stuck. They explain that plateaus often come from ignoring the core skill tested by the LSAT: “Did you understand what you read?” “Strategies” like skimming passages or completing 10 questions in 10 minutes distract from comprehension. Instead, you unlock the LS…
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Law School Lemons & LSAT Ceilings Ben and Nathan discuss how law school admissions resemble a “market for lemons,” where students face steep information asymmetries. They highlight tools like the Scholarship Estimator and 509 reports that help applicants manage expectations and avoid overpaying. While there are several ways to strengthen an applica…
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Ben and Nathan explore how AI is acing law school exams and what that says about legal education. They unpack Donald Rumsfeld’s “unknown unknowns” and how the LSAT helps uncover them. The guys break down what the LSAT curve really means (or doesn’t), then offer advice on predatory pre-law jobs. Then they revisit the difference between sufficient an…
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Law schools manipulate scholarships to obscure what they’re actually willing to pay for LSAT scores. Ben and Nathan reveal how some schools offer up to $40,000 per LSAT point. They introduce the “Disparity Index” to show how wildly different financial outcomes can be for students at the same school. Don’t settle for mediocre scores—top LSAT perform…
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Michael Freedman joins Nathan on Thinking LSAT to share his story as a trial lawyer in some of the nation’s most high-profile criminal cases. Along the way, he shares candid advice for law students about finding their path, building experience, and starting a firm. Michael emphasizes the importance of treating law school like a job, embracing trial…
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Champagne Prices. Beer Salaries. (Ep. 508)
1:06:41
1:06:41
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Ben and Nathan investigate income-debt ratios for average law students. Their findings paint a sobering picture for the average law school graduate. In many cases, students are paying champagne prices for beer salaries. Paying full price at even top schools can disrupt personal financial stability for a decade or longer. Then, they review the newly…
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Applying this late in the cycle shows desperation. And schools love to charge full price for desperation. There are two rules every applicant should follow. Apply early. Apply broadly. Neither of those things can happen at this point in the cycle. Instead, students should focus on getting the best LSAT score possible and apply at the beginning of t…
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Colleges use advanced data tracking to fine-tune scholarship offers based on what they think you’ll pay and to make you feel good about your price. Ben and Nathan explain how firms analyze digital behavior, like email click speed, to calculate offers. Wealthy students get merit aid, lower-income students get need-based aid, but both often pay the s…
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