Resilience in the Law School Admissions Journey: Stories from Successful Reapplicants
Published November 24, 2025
Reapplying to law school takes resilience. It requires stepping back, reassessing, and finding the determination to try again when the first outcome is not what you hoped for. Each year, we work with applicants who were denied admission on their first attempt. Many of these individuals strengthen their applications and reapply successfully.
We recently spoke with two first-year law students who reflected on their reapplication journeys, including how they strengthened their applications and what they learned along the way. Their insights offer practical guidance and encouragement for those who may be considering reapplying.
Jamie’s Story
What motivated you to reapply after receiving a denial?
“As a nontraditional student, my whole purpose in returning to finish my undergraduate degree was to go to law school. Most things don’t usually go to our ideal ‘plan’ so after the initial disappointment, I tried to reframe it as a setback rather than a failure. I had already come so far in pursuit towards law school, so I had to give the application cycle one more try. With that said, I couldn't even talk about my perspectives on law school with my friends or family when they would ask. I kept putting in the work for my applications even if I was feeling deflated. I truly felt called to law, so that deep belief kept me trudging along through my self-doubts.”
“Setbacks are not failures. The most accomplished people ‘fail’ over and over again, but the success comes because they don't give up.”
— Jamie Bridges, JD Class of 2028
What changes did you make to strengthen your application?
“My only substantial change was to my personal statement. I think this shows the importance of your personal statement to truly set yourself apart and show Admissions who you really are. I was surprised/disappointed when I didn't get in the first round I applied for because I had a strong GPA and LSAT. The denial made me really sit down and reframe my why and put that on paper in a more authentic way. Having an unplanned gap year between undergrad and law school gave me the time to work on the substance of my applications more effectively.”
What advice would you offer to someone considering reapplying?
“Just remember that setbacks are not failures. The most accomplished people ‘fail’ over and over again, but success comes because they don't give up. The road to where you want to go is not linear and sometimes you just have to take the scenic route.”
How has the reapplication journey shaped your experience in law school?
“The reapplication journey made me truly appreciate being here on another level. When the workload feels heavy or I'm feeling a little burnt out, I remember how hard I worked to get here.”
John’s Story
What motivated you to reapply after receiving a denial?
“I was determined to reach the goal I set for myself and was willing to exhaust all options to achieve it. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to attend UB Law school, and I was willing to do whatever it took to make it happen.”
What changes did you make to strengthen your application?
“The biggest differences for me were improving my LSAT score and taking a more mature approach to my personal statement. When I first applied, my LSAT score was slightly below the median score at UB, so I signed up to re-take the LSAT. I gave myself three months to prepare before re-taking it and ended up increasing my score by seven points. I also refined my personal statement to better reflect on how and why I would be a great fit for UB Law.”
How did you spend the time between applications, and how did it prepare you for law school?
“I worked at an insurance firm, which gave me great professional experience even though it wasn't related to law. This job taught me skills such as time management, problem-solving, responsibility, and accountability which I feel made me a stronger candidate and future law student. These skills have been a huge help in law school. The heavy workload forces you to manage your time well and figure out the most efficient and effective way to get your work done. You must be responsible and hold yourself accountable while in law school. The faculty is always there to help but at the end of the day it is on you to decide if you are going to succeed.”
“This job taught me skills such as time management, problem-solving, responsibility, and accountability which I feel made me a stronger candidate and future law student.”
— John Armento, JD Class of 2028
How has the reapplication journey prepared you for law school?
“The reapplication journey prepared me for the challenges and opportunities of law school life by teaching me that law school will not be easy and it will not always go my way. Law school is difficult and is something that might take a while to figure out but as long as you stay the course and don’t give up then you will achieve your goals.”
We are grateful to Jamie and John for their time and openness. Their paths to UB Law demonstrate that a setback does not define an applicant’s potential or future success. With reflection, discipline, and perseverance, it is possible to return stronger and more prepared.
If you are considering reapplying and would like guidance or feedback, please contact the Admissions Office. We are here to support you through the process.
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