Is KJD A Mistake?

William, a listener of LSAT Demon Daily, recently reached out with a big question: should he take the KJD (Kindergarten through JD) path and head straight to law school, or would waiting be a better option? The KJD route—where students transition directly from undergrad to law school without taking any gap years—is a common choice, but it can come with a price.

William’s current stats—a 3.65 GPA and a 166 LSAT score—highlight a key downfall of rushing into law school. His situation raises an important question for all KJD students: Should I wait to apply to law school?

The Drawbacks of Rushing into Law School

William graduated early, completing his undergrad in just three years. While an impressive achievement, this decision left him with a GPA and LSAT below the medians for his target schools. 

The tuition savings from graduating early might not outweigh the financial hit of missing out on significant scholarship offers. Law schools heavily consider GPA and LSAT scores. A lower GPA can lead to fewer acceptances and less scholarship. Use LSAT Demon’s Scholarship Estimator to see an estimate of the scholarships you might have received last year, based on ABA 509 data.

The Cost of the KJD Path 

William is interested in schools with strong environmental law programs, like GW or NYU, but also has the option of a full-ride scholarship to Temple. While Temple is a solid choice, his broader aspirations would benefit from stronger academic credentials.

A 166 LSAT score, while good, likely won’t secure admission or meaningful scholarships at top schools. Raising that score into the 170s would dramatically improve his options.

Many KJD students are drawn to the efficiency of going straight to law school, but this perceived advantage is temporary. By 2L year, no one cares whether you took a gap year—but everyone cares about their job prospects and financial situation.

The greatest achievement isn’t just getting into law school—it’s choosing the right law school under the best financial circumstances. Law school debt is a long-term burden, and securing a full-ride or significant scholarship can mean far greater career flexibility. A well-planned application, with a strong GPA and LSAT, leads to better schools and merit-based scholarships, and that matters far more than finishing law school at a certain age. 

The Smart Approach

iGLAD: 

1. Investigate

2. GPA

3. LSAT

4. Apply

5. Decide

Start by investigating the profession—reach out to lawyers, visit firms, and confirm that law is the right choice for you. 

Then, focus on getting your best GPA possible. Staying an extra year to take additional courses—even at a community college—can significantly boost your GPA (as long as you haven’t yet graduated). Admissions committees don’t care how quickly you graduated—they care about your final numbers.

Once your GPA is done, focus on getting a high LSAT score. A 166 LSAT is good, but for NYU, GW, and other top schools, a 170+ could be a game changer. The LSAT is the biggest admissions factor that can offset a lower GPA.

Once you’ve completed the LSAT with your best score, shift your focus to applications. Waiting a year to apply with stronger credentials allows for early applications to more schools, increasing the likelihood of acceptances and scholarship offers.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Rush the Process

The KJD path might seem efficient, but it often comes at the cost of better opportunities. Law school is a major investment—both in time and money—and the smartest approach is to optimize admissions potential rather than rush the process. Rushing into law school may feel like a win, but the goal isn’t just to get into law school—it’s to attend the right school at the right price.

Got questions about the KJD path or law school admissions? Reach out to LSAT Demon Daily at daily@lsatdemon.com for expert advice and insights.