Impact of foreign language skills on application? Forum

[dingbat]

Its funny how the opinions on this post went from "it probably won't help you" to "it'll give you the edge over someone who just speaks English (aka. 99% of applicants)"

Not entirely.
I think the general consensus is that it won't let you outperform your numbers, but if you're on the border, it might just be enough for you to squeeze in, when someone who only speaks English wouldn't, which makes it just another soft.

[Jacky D.]

I don't feel like it'll help much in the admissions process, but I speak a couple different languages (one of which is pretty obscure) and I list it on my resume. It almost always comes up in an interview and makes for an interesting conversation.

[dresden doll]

with equal numbers you'd probably get in over someone who only speaks english.

Provided you have equal numbers, equally compelling PS, equally relevant UG and equally worthwhile softs. PS: that never happens.

[Ersatz Haderach]

I don't feel like it'll help much in the admissions process, but I speak a couple different languages (one of which is pretty obscure) and I list it on my resume. It almost always comes up in an interview and makes for an interesting conversation.

This. Law school admissions - virtually no impact. Job applications - minor impact, unless it's a requirement. The value of languages is as an extra, a cherry on top. Sometimes it's mandatory, but usually only in positions where you'd have a lot of foreign client contact, which I imagine is rare for first years at even the top firms. Or if you wanted to start in a foreign office.

Immigration law - everyone I know in immigration speaks a second language.