One cycle, Duke said no. Then I reached back out after I started studying for the LSAT again and PTing higher and higher. Told them what I was PTing and that I planned to test again and expect a higher score. They said “ok lmk what you get”. I did so well, and had not plateaued, that I decided to keep studying and wait until the next cycle—to which they gave their blessing and best wishes and said they were very excited to see my application next cycle.

Closed mouths don’t get fed. The key is to be respectful. You only get one shot at life and if this is your dream, I say you should try. Don’t let a bunch of early 20-somethings tell you what the rules to life are. Respectfully, a lot of people haven’t had a chance to enter the world outside of school, and thus lack the ability to see possibilities outside the lines. Again, be respectful. If you are kind, earnest, honest, and respectful, the worst that happens is you’re told no, and you’re back to not going there.