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Strengthening application for acceptance into law school

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 2:52 am
by SoapyIllusion
Hello, this is my very first post on this forum! So basically, I am thinking about attending law school upon graduation but I was wondering what I could do to increase my chances of getting accepted into a top 20 law school. By the time I graduate, I expect a 3.3-3.4 GPA (not that great, I know) and I will most definitely aim for a 180 LSAT and most likely will not attend law school if I score lower than a 165. I am an URM, an NCAA 2 sport athlete and I believe I can garner NCAA National Accolades this upcoming season and next year, if that makes a difference.
At this point, I am sure my final gpa upon graduation will be no higher than a 3.5 and the only things I can change right now is my LSAT (which I will be studying for during the summer) and softs. What can I do to bolster my future law application? Start my own business, get published in a journal? What do these schools (top 20) want to see (that is within my control, barring gpa)? Also, would it be wise to attend law school straight from graduation? If I do so, I could compete for an additional full year since I redshirted one year, but that depends on the rigor of the university due to time constraints, obviously.
Any help or insight is appreciated!

Re: Strengthening application for acceptance into law school

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 3:46 pm
by Mojosodope
Just worry about your LSAT.

Nothing else matters nearly as much

Re: Strengthening application for acceptance into law school

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 3:55 pm
by applelover
Mojosodope wrote:Just worry about your LSAT.

Nothing else matters nearly as much

Eh? if softs didn't matter than every handwritten note on every acceptance letter I've received wouldn't mention my specific softs and how impressed they are at my application.

You can try getting involved in an organization and getting some leadership experience, if you have the time, which being an athlete, Im not sure you will.

Re: Strengthening application for acceptance into law school

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 3:59 pm
by californiauser
applelover wrote:
Mojosodope wrote:Just worry about your LSAT.

Nothing else matters nearly as much

Eh? if softs didn't matter than every handwritten note on every acceptance letter I've received wouldn't mention my specific softs and how impressed they are at my application.

You can try getting involved in an organization and getting some leadership experience, if you have the time, which being an athlete, Im not sure you will.
I think softs do help but they're usually things that have happened over 4 years of college or invovle significant work experience, there's not really much someone can do to turn an average application into a stellar one besides the LSAT. And, to be fair, you're probably one of the top 20 AA applicants this cycle :D regardless of softs.

Re: Strengthening application for acceptance into law school

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 4:03 pm
by A. Nony Mouse
applelover wrote:Eh? if softs didn't matter than every handwritten note on every acceptance letter I've received wouldn't mention my specific softs and how impressed they are at my application.
Schools write those notes to make you get a warm and fuzzy feeling about the school and encourage you to attend - it's a marketing strategy.

Re: Strengthening application for acceptance into law school

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 4:04 pm
by Mojosodope
applelover wrote:
Mojosodope wrote:Just worry about your LSAT.

Nothing else matters nearly as much

Eh? if softs didn't matter than every handwritten note on every acceptance letter I've received wouldn't mention my specific softs and how impressed they are at my application.

You can try getting involved in an organization and getting some leadership experience, if you have the time, which being an athlete, Im not sure you will.
What would you expect the letter to say then? They send out personalized notes for everyone...whether your softs actually made a difference is up in the air.

Consensus says they are not a significant factor unless you won a nobel prize or something crazy. Numbers trump softs almost every time.

Re: Strengthening application for acceptance into law school

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 4:09 pm
by ThePiedPiper
californiauser wrote:
applelover wrote:
Mojosodope wrote:Just worry about your LSAT.

Nothing else matters nearly as much

Eh? if softs didn't matter than every handwritten note on every acceptance letter I've received wouldn't mention my specific softs and how impressed they are at my application.

You can try getting involved in an organization and getting some leadership experience, if you have the time, which being an athlete, Im not sure you will.
I think softs do help but they're usually things that have happened over 4 years of college or invovle significant work experience, there's not really much someone can do to turn an average application into a stellar one besides the LSAT. And, to be fair, you're probably one of the top 20 AA applicants this cycle :D regardless of softs.
The LSAT is the most important. However, I say make sure your writing is up to par as will in your personal and diversity statements because I see it as being the third most important part of your application behind ones LSAT and GPA. Stellar writing skills are key in the legal profession. And it can be a tipping factor when seperating yourself apart from others who may have your numbers. Good luck!!!

Re: Strengthening application for acceptance into law school

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 4:12 pm
by MoMettaMonk
I imagine being a 2 sport athlete will be a nice soft in itself. Of course starting a successful business, or getting published, or something like that will help, but the most important things to maximize will be your LSAT and uGPA. The important thing with softs (that aren't the crazy "I won a nobel prize" ilk) seems to be to do something, do it well, and try to become a leader in whatever it is that you're doing.

Re: Strengthening application for acceptance into law school

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 4:13 pm
by applelover
A. Nony Mouse wrote:
applelover wrote:Eh? if softs didn't matter than every handwritten note on every acceptance letter I've received wouldn't mention my specific softs and how impressed they are at my application.
Schools write those notes to make you get a warm and fuzzy feeling about the school and encourage you to attend - it's a marketing strategy.
That may be true but I believe it differs depending on the school and the applicant. For NYU four people I know didn't get a note about their softs. They got a note but it didn't mention their softs. Same for UVA.

Re: Strengthening application for acceptance into law school

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 4:15 pm
by applelover
Mojosodope wrote:
applelover wrote:
Mojosodope wrote:Just worry about your LSAT.

Nothing else matters nearly as much

Eh? if softs didn't matter than every handwritten note on every acceptance letter I've received wouldn't mention my specific softs and how impressed they are at my application.

You can try getting involved in an organization and getting some leadership experience, if you have the time, which being an athlete, Im not sure you will.
What would you expect the letter to say then? They send out personalized notes for everyone...whether your softs actually made a difference is up in the air.

Consensus says they are not a significant factor unless you won a nobel prize or something crazy. Numbers trump softs almost every time.
You take pieces of what I say and don't actually read my full comment. I never said the LSAT was less important than softs but help an application. Chill yo you do this every time. .

Re: Strengthening application for acceptance into law school

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 4:19 pm
by ThePiedPiper
applelover wrote:
A. Nony Mouse wrote:
applelover wrote:Eh? if softs didn't matter than every handwritten note on every acceptance letter I've received wouldn't mention my specific softs and how impressed they are at my application.
Schools write those notes to make you get a warm and fuzzy feeling about the school and encourage you to attend - it's a marketing strategy.
Actually no. For NYU four people I know didn't get a note about their softs. They got a note but it didn't mention their softs. Same for UVA.
+1 i have to agree with Apple I do believe softs matter in the process. Especially for urms. Every little thing honestly can only enhance your chances at admissions. Especially if its a T-14 you are after. Because Deans at these schools even mention in their interviews and bios of the law school that softs matter.

Re: Strengthening application for acceptance into law school

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 4:20 pm
by flowerhair789
SoapyIllusion wrote:Hello, this is my very first post on this forum! So basically, I am thinking about attending law school upon graduation but I was wondering what I could do to increase my chances of getting accepted into a top 20 law school. By the time I graduate, I expect a 3.3-3.4 GPA (not that great, I know) and I will most definitely aim for a 180 LSAT and most likely will not attend law school if I score lower than a 165. I am an URM, an NCAA 2 sport athlete and I believe I can garner NCAA National Accolades this upcoming season and next year, if that makes a difference.
At this point, I am sure my final gpa upon graduation will be no higher than a 3.5 and the only things I can change right now is my LSAT (which I will be studying for during the summer) and softs. What can I do to bolster my future law application? Start my own business, get published in a journal? What do these schools (top 20) want to see (that is within my control, barring gpa)? Also, would it be wise to attend law school straight from graduation? If I do so, I could compete for an additional full year since I redshirted one year, but that depends on the rigor of the university due to time constraints, obviously.
Any help or insight is appreciated!
A great LSAT score will carry your further than softs, unless they are quite extraordinary. Study and kill the LSAT, and you will have some great options!

Re: Strengthening application for acceptance into law school

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 4:25 pm
by applelover
Having a good lsat is more important but having some decent softs definitely won't hurt you.

Re: Strengthening application for acceptance into law school

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 5:13 pm
by Mojosodope
applelover wrote:
Mojosodope wrote:
applelover wrote:
Mojosodope wrote:Just worry about your LSAT.

Nothing else matters nearly as much

Eh? if softs didn't matter than every handwritten note on every acceptance letter I've received wouldn't mention my specific softs and how impressed they are at my application.

You can try getting involved in an organization and getting some leadership experience, if you have the time, which being an athlete, Im not sure you will.
What would you expect the letter to say then? They send out personalized notes for everyone...whether your softs actually made a difference is up in the air.

Consensus says they are not a significant factor unless you won a nobel prize or something crazy. Numbers trump softs almost every time.
You take pieces of what I say and don't actually read my full comment. I never said the LSAT was less important than softs but help an application. Chill yo you do this every time. .
And all I said was to concentrate on the LSAT because its more important.

None of my comments were directed at you, except my comment about your anecdotal evidence.

Re: Strengthening application for acceptance into law school

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 5:43 pm
by applelover
Let's end this debate. OP, aim for a good LSAT score, and if you want to improve your softs, it definitely won't hurt you.