How much is community service factored into admissions? Forum

[NUMB3RFIFTY]

Just wanted to get some insight on this (if anyone's got any.)

I happen to have a shitload of community service and was just wondering how much schools will consider it.

Are there schools that consider it more than others?

Thanks.

[voice of reason]

It's a minor soft factor that will count less than you wish it would. Perhaps its best advantage for you is as fodder for your personal statement. If you apply for an kind of public service scholarship or want to write about your intent to enter public interest law, then it may also serve as evidence of a genuine commitment.

[engineer]

Zero. I'll argue that I had more community than most applicants. I have volunteered over 3,000 hours as an EMT, and ultimately a paramedic, over the course of four years, but it did not make up for sub-par grades and a mediocre LSAT. Nothing makes up for a mediocre LSAT. Nothing.

[engineer]

Oh, one more thing: OP, your community service wasn't court-ordered, right?

[NUMB3RFIFTY]

Oh, one more thing: OP, your community service wasn't court-ordered, right?

LOL no it wasn't, thankfully...

Are there any schools that value it more than others?

[ArmyVet07]

Might it count more for those interested in PI, especially when applying for PI scholarships?

[j.wellington]

Oh, one more thing: OP, your community service wasn't court-ordered, right?

LOL no it wasn't, thankfully...

Are there any schools that value it more than others?

Yes. Just from my own experience, I know that Colorado and UNC look very highly on community work because they have a public interest niche. It also goes over well with the Jesuit schools, which tend to be more service-oriented. But like everyone else said, you still have to be in their range numbers-wise.

[Neelio]

Business background here so I needed as much community service as possible. To be honest, it might have kept me afloat when I would probably have been an auto-reject at Berk, GTown, and USC. Waitlisted at all 3...

[evilgenius]

Yes. If it was meaningful, if you played a major leadership role, etc. I think if you're able to tie it to the reason you want to attend X school or practice law it can be a major factor. Honestly, I think its the sole reason I got into a few schools that I should've been an auto-reject for.

[KellC]

Business background here so I needed as much community service as possible.

Out of curiosity, why would a business background need more community service than others?

[Neelio]

Business background here so I needed as much community service as possible.

Out of curiosity, why would a business background need more community service than others?

Because you (generally speaking) have less exposure to working in a court setting, non-profit organization, or something of the like. I think law schools are looking to see if you are a person that wants to make a difference in your respective community. As a business major, you generally have less of an inclination to engage in such activities.

[NUMB3RFIFTY]

Oh, one more thing: OP, your community service wasn't court-ordered, right?

LOL no it wasn't, thankfully...

Are there any schools that value it more than others?

Yes. Just from my own experience, I know that Colorado and UNC look very highly on community work because they have a public interest niche. It also goes over well with the Jesuit schools, which tend to be more service-oriented. But like everyone else said, you still have to be in their range numbers-wise.

My whole thing is that I'm applying to Boyd (UNLV) from out of state and there's really not that many non-resident seats.

The school is REALLY big on community service and public interest, so i'm hoping it gives me some kind of edge with all those 4.0's and 175 LSat's lol

[gwuorbust]

Oh, one more thing: OP, your community service wasn't court-ordered, right?

LOL no it wasn't, thankfully...

Are there any schools that value it more than others?

Yes. Just from my own experience, I know that Colorado and UNC look very highly on community work because they have a public interest niche. It also goes over well with the Jesuit schools, which tend to be more service-oriented. But like everyone else said, you still have to be in their range numbers-wise.

My whole thing is that I'm applying to Boyd (UNLV) from out of state and there's really not that many non-resident seats.

The school is REALLY big on community service and public interest, so i'm hoping it gives me some kind of edge with all those 4.0's and 175 LSat's lol

no amount of community service will give you an edge over a 4.0 175 unless you have close numbers urself.