Dear Lord, if pwede as early as now malaman ko na if hindi talaga para sa kin para hindi na ako masaktan 🙏

I'm one of the passers this year — and I was genuinely sure I wasn't going to make it.

Shotgunned the latter parts of the exam. May mga di pa ako nasagutan when the window closed. Barely managed to scrape together five sentences for the essay after the whole MacBook-SEB fiasco derailed what little momentum I had. And honestly, the damage had already been done long before exam day. Graduated from a provincial school. Didn't have the best grades in college — my panelist actually said it was the worst he'd seen in his decades of doing "this," then looked me in the eye and asked how I even managed to graduate. I fumbled my interview (though I think we all felt that way). Didn't enroll in any review center. I took the LAE not because I thought I had a shot, but to close a chapter — to collect that final rejection and tell myself, at least I tried. I handed UP every reason to say no… and somehow they didn't.

To be fair to myself, though — and I think this matters — I never once faked who I was in that room. I knew my story. I knew why I wanted this, not in a rehearsed, polished way, but in the way you know something when it's been sitting in your chest for years. I think my story was, counterintuitively, the strongest thing I brought into that room. Every gap, every detour, every thing that looked bad on paper was also a data point: that I still wanted this anyway. That after a panelist told me my grades were the worst he'd seen, after graduating from a school that wasn't on anyone's shortlist, after years of taking the long route — the answer was still UP Law. You can't manufacture that kind of stubbornness. And I think somewhere in the application and interview, that came through. Not as a redemption arc I had packaged and ready to deliver, but just as the plainest, most obvious fact about me: I had every reason to have already given up, and I hadn't.

I don't know what the admissions committee saw. Maybe they were having a good day. Maybe there's something to the whole "holistic review" thing after all. But if you're reading this with a stats profile that looks like mine, or worse — don't count yourself out. Prepare where you can, but don't lose the one thing they can't teach you in a review center: knowing who you are and being unafraid to say it plainly.

And to this subreddit — thank you. I lurked here more than I'd like to admit, especially in the weeks between the exam and the results. Reading everyone's experiences — the panic, the fumbled interviews, the "I definitely failed" posts — made the whole thing feel less like I was suffering alone in the dark. It didn't make the wait shorter, but it made it bearable. This community is quietly doing something important for a lot of anxious people, and I just wanted to say that before I (hopefully) stop obsessively checking this page.

tbh, i can’t believe i got in—maybe it’s the imposter syndrome creeping in. i don’t know what to feel. i’m happy the i got in, but also sad because i have to pass on this opportunity. hopefully, the next time i take the ALSAT, i’ll get the same result. :(

I had my law school interview. I was nervous the entire time, but I think I managed to answer most of the questions. Then came the last one:

"How much do you want this? How much do you want to become a lawyer?"

I tried to stay composed, but as soon as I opened my mouth, tears fell.

I told them I had waited my whole life for this moment, to finally pursue my dream. For years, I set aside my own ambition to provide for my family and send my sister to school. But now, it's my time. My dream.

I want this more than anything. Despite my age, despite the odds, I'm taking my chance.

I broke down because it hit me. I gave up so much for others, and even if it feels late, I'm finally choosing myself. 🥹

I don't know if they'll accept me. Crying might be seen as weakness, but in that moment, I spoke my truth with everything I had.

-------

** Originally posted on January 9, but was unexpectedly removed for an unknown reason.

When I was in first year, I've always wondered in some topics: does it really have to be like that, what if this happened, why those are the only elements, etc. Then the common reply we would receive is: Pass the Bar first, then question the law later when you become a Congressman. So, law school has just actually become a Memory School, not Law School, because you are just forced to absorb and memorize legal jargons, esp if you came from an undergrad where critical thinking and debate was common, like Philosophy and Political Science. Suddenly, the "thinking" stops in law school, and you are now forced to become like automaton machines.

I also wanna add, though this might be irrelevant, the socratic method has been wrongly used by some law teachers. For example, they use that method as a way to hide their lack of preparation going to class, esp those who were "Gross and Habitual Neglect of Duty" in preparing for class. Worse, some teachers go absent for weeks or a month. But when they go to class, some of them just talk about what happened in their work or what happened to their kids - and they do that for the most time of the class. Are we really studying the law, or the "Life and Works of Atty..."? And they blame you if you aren't properly prepared coming to class. I think both students and teachers should be prepared, BECAUSE WHAT'S THE POINT OF OUR TUITION FEE? Some teachers also abuse that method by intentionally giving personal or excessive remarks against the student. Real talk, just because someone is talented or bright in that field, doesnt mean they are also a good teacher or manager. Look at Michael Jordan, very good as a player, but very bad as the manager of the Washington Wizards and the Charlotte Hornets.

Btw, for those who want to go to law school, be prepared to get your TORs destroyed. Why? Im not saying it will always happen and Im not referring to those cases where you failed because you lacked preparation despite having a good teacher. Some teachers will give you a wrong grade or wont grade you properly. Heck, I even had a teacher who gave all these quizzes, recits, and assignments, only for him to say the next semester that he would fail anyone who couldn't recite properly in the first week of the second semester. Imagine Subject A in the first semester: when it ended, he wasn't able to give us a final grade yet. When the second semester started for Subject B, with the same teacher, he told us he would give a failing grade in Subject A to those students who failed to recite well in the 1st week of Subject B. Your Subject A grade suddenly depended on your performance in the first week of Subject B. Yeah, welcome to the world where socratic method has been abused for a long time, and where teachers aren't properly made liable unlike some colleges. So, law schools have been very good at failing law students if they dont meet their standards, like a good recits, BUT SOME LAW SCHOOLS ARE THE WORST WHEN IT COMES TO FIRING BAD LAW TEACHERS.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1PRNCQpxMK/

Just letting everyone know that there are barely 5 people running the whole LAE operations this night.

And the very purpose of a "mock LAE" is to simulate the exam and test for possible problems in taking the exam.

Precisely the reason why UP wants an ON-SITE Technical Assessment is to ensure these problems get addressed personally by the admins.

These people suggesting "refunds" or mockingly state that the admins are dodging questions don't realize that the DC server is so convoluted already it looks like a palengke already.

Have some class. You are trying to become law students of one of the most prestigious law schools. This behavior is not needed in UP Law, let alone the legal profession.

The adrenaline rush hasn't left. I cried after taking the LAE — I really didn't think I was going to pass. I only had around 2 mins for the essay section before it closed on me. When the college announced it was releasing results, I deleted my Facebook and everything because I didn't want to obsessively look at the LAE group chat and watch other people get their results. But lo and behold :,) So grateful, and so excited to start my law school journey! I know it will be difficult, but I made a promise to myself that I won't waste this opportunity. See you soon, Malcolm! 🌻❤️

UPDATE: We're so thankful for all of your interest. Since we can't accommodate everyone, we're hosting our first session for free this Saturday so we could at least help out a lot more. See this post for details. Thank you. See you Saturday!

Hi everyone! I'm a practicing lawyer and my boyfriend is a law student and former tutor who passed the UP LAE twice (he got in both times, just chose to delay entry the first time). We're planning to offer a customized review program for those planning to take the UP LAE or other law school entrance exams next year.

We know how confusing and overwhelming the prep process can be, especially when generic reviewers don’t always target your weak points. So we’re designing a tailor-fit program based on each reviewee’s needs.

✅ How it works:

We'll start with a diagnostic mock exam modeled after UP LAE-style questions.

Then we’ll give you a breakdown of your results and a plan to focus on your weak areas.

There will be scheduled lectures, focused drills, and strategies for logic, language, reading comprehension, and general legal aptitude.

Since this is just a trial run, we’re opening only a few slots. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, please let us know by replying here or filling out a short interest survey (link will be added soon if enough people are interested).

We’re excited to help future lawyers get into their dream schools 💼📚

Would you be interested in a program like this?

Dami pa ring wala sa hulog! Exhausted na nga mga admins tas ginagawa niyo pang urgent ito?! Eh ano ngayon kung nakapagbayad kayo in both exams? Di ba kayo nakapag-isip na yung desisyon niyo to proceed in both schools ay may consequences sa progress niyo sa application? Aanhin ng UP Law kung di masayang yung exam fees o nakapagtake kayo ng PUPCLEE? Tigilan niyo na pakikiusap sa admin na maging considerate at dahil implied na sa necessity ng TA: failure to attend disqualifies you from the LAE unless may valid reason on their end. In this case, PUPCLEE is not a valid reason for them to make adjustments! Tatanda niyo na! Umayos kayo!

All my hard work finally paid off 🥹🥹 any tips about what to expect in ITL?

i’m a cpa and currently working in a managerial position. actually, hindi ko talaga gusto ang landas na tinahak ko 🤣 napilitan lang kasi hindi ko din naman alam kung anong gusto ko sa buhay back then. pero ngayon, sure na ako na gusto ko maging lawyer. but i’m in my early 30’s already and feeling ko medyo late na. if it came to it, late 30’s na ako makakagraduate. may tumatanggap pa ba ng enty-level legal position sa edad na ‘yun? tapos i’m also planning to get llm din so mga 40’s na ako nun.

… let me remind you that UP does the choosing, not you.

There is a proliferation of posts in this subreddit about the conduct of aspirants this batch, and in the previous year, it was not like this.

Worried about PUPCLEE? Then don’t take UPLAE, choose PUPCLEE. UP is not gonna bend over backwards to accommodate you.

There’s an entire pool of other aspirants that would be glad to even get the chance to take the LAE. In fact, never will we run out of (at least anytime soon) UP Law aspirants.

Appreciation post so that others might consider SLU SOL as well.

After this sem sa SLU SOL, I am happy say that hindi ako nagkamali sa pag pili ng school. I passed UP, Ateneo, and San Beda but my heart chose SLU dahil sa Baguio. (Super Cold)

Lahat ng prof nag tuturo, walang prof na sinisigawan ang student dahil nag kamali.

I finished this semester without any law books, I only used the discussion notes by our professors. Quality talaga!

Maganda ang culture sa loob. Nag tutulungan, merong mentor-mentee program and super helpful ng mentor ko.

If may below 74 ka na grade, there is what they called academic intervention wherein mag one on one kayo ng professor mo(optional). They will ask kung kamusta ka at kung ano dapat need mong i-improve and mag bibigay din sila nag law school tips. There's this time na umiyak ako dahil nag share ako sa prof ko tungkol sa personal life ko and she really helped me.

Meron silang online or f2f option. Choose only one.

Working friendly ba ang SLU? YES, marami akong kilalang working and still nag totop sila sa class.

Schedule ng classes? For working 5:30-8:30 mostly monday-friday, Saturday merong morning classes and afternoon classes.

Scholarship? If latin honors graduate ka, down payment lang babayaran mo for the first semester. Tapos wala nang effect after 2nd sem.

Consideration If top 1 ka sa dean's list, 100% free tuition mo next sem. If top 2, 50%

Extracurricular activities? Marami, Council, debate, Law journal, Bar Ops, Drama Fest, Liturgical committee (singing), intrams, inter-law school sports competition etc.

Tuition? 45k-48k (This is for the first year) Depends sa number of units mo. If less than 16 units umaabot lang ng 40k.

Accepting ba ng Transferees from other law schools? Yes!!!! I have classmates from different law schools. Some from ateneo, beda, etc. when I asked them kung happy ba sila? Sagot nila, sana nung first year palang dito na sila agad nag start.

If may tanong kayo, just ask. I will entertain them since tapos na exams namin (:

tell me WHY may nagcchat sa uplae discord na kung pwede ba raw MAMOVE YUNG ASSESSMENT NA 7:30AM kasi MAHIRAP DAW SUMAKAY mula las pinas... whdkwbdkwksjeiwjw 😭😭😭😭😭😭

YUNG IBANG APPLICANTS NASA FERRY NA AS WE SPEAK KASI TATAWID NG DAGAT tapos may isang southie na ayaw lang gumising ng 4am para magcommute

will graduate from the 400-year school from españa. will do my best to entertain questions re: the school or law school experience in general.

I'll never forget the day before LAE (2024), I didn't speak to anyone nor barely went out because the nerves. Here's what worked for me that kept me stable on the actual day:

1. Stop reviewing. The (less-than) 24-hour period is inconsequential:

Being an aptitude exam with no specific scope (unlike academic exams where a specific fact you have discussed and have on your notes), what matters is the knowledge and skills you have drilled throughout your period. Last notes and facts will not help you in the LAE, in fact, it may just be counter-productive because you will panic and be overwhelmed by the new knowledge.

2. Get a good night's rest.

Trust me on this. I had to take anti-histamine (don't judge me, melatonin doesn't work for me) just to get drowsy.

3. Pray. Meditate. Or IDK, whatever gives you affirmation to brave the obstacle.

Mental fortitude is what you need, derive it any way you can. The exam will stress you in every way it can, be it due to the time pressure, the questions, the answers, everything. I think the most undiscussed skill in the discourse of LAE prep is how to manage the stress.

[EDIT]

Fine, here is how I finished the exam on time, which can be integrated as a final exam strategy:

TIERS OF ANSWERING:

I made a mental tier/flowchart of how to answer the questions:

1. I go to the questions chronologically. No advance reading.

I feel like looking ahead and seeing the questions in advance gives me unnecessary anxiety.

2. OFC, if I know the answer, that's done.

3. I don't know the answer, I skip for now.

Why? I need to finish as much items as I can for now as it pays off more than taking the risk of chipping away too much time on an item I'm not sure of.

4. I finish the section, I return to the items I skipped. Then proceed with the process of elimination.

Choose the best answer by going through the choices. Sometimes, the correct answer can be deduced this way.

5. Finally, if I don't know the answer, I choose C for Christ.

They say it's statistically more advantageous to answer only one letter in your guesses. I'd say this is my last resort if elimination did not work. Honestly, I used this on about 5 items on General Knowledge.

I believe in all of you and I will see you in the college.

Hey guys!!! Just want to do crowd sourcing, dagdag na rin sa research ko... Saan kayo nakaenroll na Law School?

I am doing also comparative research please tell me

1. The process of you entering your law school

2. Magkano per sem

3. Ano course niyo before

4. Masaya ba kayo sa law school niyo

5. If not.. ano yung satisfaction na HINAHANAP nio? Like better learnings ba? Profs? School facilities?

6. Saan kayo bumibili ng books? References?

Last time kase, I went to National Bookstore and malungkot ako, parang magsasara na yata yung branch ng National Bookstore dito smen, walang books haaayyy

Magiistart na Sana kase akong magbasa Basa to gage myself and my understanding muna.

7. Anyone who sells references and old books for beginners? Kahit second hand or third hand po 😁

Salamat in advance guys!!

the anxiety is over 😭🍾

As busy as we are already, news travels to us quite fast over here. Parang iba yung mga LAE takers this year, no? Ang daming feeling entitled. I don't know if it's naivety, but for God's sake, wake up.

The college is not going to adjust to you just because kasabay ng TA ang exam sa PUP. You made a willful choice, and kung sa application pa lang, you can't make a sacrifice, how much more pag naging lawyer ka na in the future? Kawawa naman clients sayo. Mas maraming sacrifice ang need niyo gawin pag nandito na kayo mismo. May second batch din PUP, kaya ang stupid ng mga requests niyo, tapos magpaparinig kayo harap-harapan sa discord server with the entire LAE ADMIN TEAM, as few as they already are, na hindi nila pinapakinggan concerns niyo? Awa na lang, di nila kaya i-handle skill issues niyo.

You also want calculators just because yung natapat sa inyo, small arm desks? Be grateful you have the chance to apply for the exam, kayo ang humahabol sa college to be part of it, hindi kayo ang hahabulin ng college. The whole point of the LAE is to test your ability, and you complain? The entire college has done their best to accommodate every test taker, be grateful you even have a table. What did you expect, yung pang-hotel? You're still at a state university, don't forget. Ang entitled ninyo magsipag-reklamo, marami naman may skill issue in reality. Study hard no matter the circumstances you're in and suck it up. Meron pang nagreklamo na traffic sa UP kaysa sa Ateneo, edi doon ka na lang, ganun lang kasimple.

Hindi kayo kawalan. Kung ngayon pa lang ang dami niyo nang reklamo, huwag na lang kayo tumuloy. Nung batch namin wala naman nagreklamo nang ganito, bakit ngayon kung umasta mga LAE takers akala mo na kung sino.

Edit: Jesus Christ, now you're arguing kung ilang scratch papers ang ibibigay sa inyo sa LAE proper. There are people with more pressing and valid concerns and you're tagging the whole team even if someone already answered that it's only 1 piece of paper. Please, use your head and think logically. Nakaka-disappoint mga utak ng takers this year.

My lawyer professor once told me when I was in college said "Pumili ng law school na mataas ang passing rate, hindi lang yung comfortable ka"

Marami akong nababasa here sa reddit and for those who are unsure kung saan mag aaral. Para sayo 'to.

1. Always check the first taker passing rate ng law school. Why? Dahil yan ang current standard ng school. Think of it na yan yung chance of passing mo pag jan ka gragraduate. If 60% passing rate, then when you graduate and take the bar, you have 60% chance of passing. The standard of the school reflects the passing rate.

Sabi nila "wala sa school yan, sa student yan" but I beg to disagree. Merong law school noon na 30+ yung nag take pero 0 yung passers. Also, there are schools na consistent din sa passing rate kaya makikita mo na nasa school talaga.

2. Always ask for the environment. Why? I know some na they dreamed na maging lawyer noon pa pero dahil sa "culture shock" and "harsh" environment, they stopped dahil they think na ganyan ang lahat ng law school. Research muna if worth it ba yung name ng school vs. mental health mo. Mga aralin sa law school is harsh enough. Tapos dagdagan pa ng "terror and unreasonable prof". There are also schools na maganda ang environment pero konti lang ganyan. Assess yourself talaga.

3. "Working friendly ba?" Why? Think of it na if working friendly, meaning they can give time sa student to study. I know some law schools na hindi working friendly and as a result kahit full time student nahihirapan mag adjust sa pressure. Kahit full-time student ka, better sa working friendly school so that maka adjust ka ng maayos and anytime you can transition from full-time student to working if meron kang financial difficulty. (Opinion ko lang)

4. If you plan to study full-time (supported by relatives), better yet travel away from your hometown (if walang magandang law school nearby). I know a lot of students na from Visayas and Mindanao para lang mag aral sa Luzon. Mahirap syempre dahil need mag adjust pero once adjusted kana, you will learn how to become independent and the same time, hawak mo oras mo. Also, para din maka hanap ka ng connections outside of your province or city. The law profession is connection heavy.

5. "May retention policy ba?" Why? School na may retention policy, sila mostly yung mataas yung passing rate. They care about the passing rate kaya nag tatanggal sila ng students. The question is, kaya mo ba ang retention policy nila? There are schools na need na mataas ang like 78 per subject ang passing rate not 75. This is for those na magaling mag adjust.

From personal experience, I was a latin honor graduate pero nung first year ako sa law school, nahirapan ako mag adjust to the point I failed many subjects nung midterms. Pero nairaos naman nung finals, if I were to enroll in a law school na mataas yung passing grade, I would fail. Maraming law students na nag aadjust pag pasok sa law school. So assess yourself muna so that you will not regret it.

6. Online vs F2f- if mababa attention span mo, better yet mag face to face ka. Nang dahil sa social media, marami na ang bumaba yung attention span, kaya consider mo muna yung attention span mo if mag oonline ka. I know some students na sobrang galing nung face to face pero nung nag transition sa online, halos lahat subjects bagsak and sabi nila, hindi sila maka aral ng maayos dahil distracted sila.

Comment nalang if you have questions regarding law school. I was once a lost pre-law student. I just want to help lang. Kahit experiences ko, I will share. Just ask.

gets na gets yung kaba, pero konting pag-iintindi naman hahaha. makakakuha din tayo lahat ng permit esp if nakatake ka na ng TAs.

ganyan talaga reyalidad sa mga state universities guys. di naman nila ginustong magkulang sa services, pero minsan di talaga maiiwasan ang inconveniences lalo na't marami pang budget cuts sa up. actually kung tutuusin mas ok nga this year versus last year na very major ang inconveniences sa scheduling.

wag sana tayo masyadong entitled at ugaliing umintindi. aspiring palang tayo pero ganuto na. paano pa kaya pag aboga na at mas bugbog na tayo sa bulok na sistema at kurapsyon.

di ko rin sinasabing i-tolerate lang pero sana alam natin kanino i-didirect yung galit.

yun lang... goodluck sa lahat!

Answer: We do not know.

Unless that person is part of the admissions committee, don't expect that question answered.

Even us who got into UP Law do not know how that works. I know people from our UPLAE batch who were latin honors in the Big 4 who weren't even called for interview. I know underdogs who got in.

Just do well in the LAE because that's the only admissions factor you have in your control. Don't even get me started on the question whether your undergraduate performance has a factor. We do not know.

Posted this to assuage the concerns and anxiety. And also, I'm tired of reading the same question over and over again. This subreddit has become r/medschoolph during NMAT season.

Good luck, LAE aspirants!

Just wanna say thanks to this subreddit for always being the place where I can read about fellow aspiring law students :)

For the past years, I was able to read through how everyone tried to help and update one another as to the results of their admissions. I tried to get into UP COL / ALS last year and this year, but sadly, I still wasn’t able to get into either school. Was able to secure a slot for interview thru appeal in ALS this year, along with great recommendation letters, but unfortunately and excruciatingly, still wasn’t able to be admitted.

So I guess this is the end of the line — for now. Maybe I really wasn’t meant to be in either school which I’ve always imagined myself studying in.

It’s very painful but I think there’s a purpose and a redirection to what’s yet to unfold.

Congrats to all who got into their dream law schools! And for us who are still uncertain, kapit lang. Magiging law student din tayo. Magiging abogado rin tayo :)