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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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.”

Check out all of our What’s the Deal with segments. 

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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