High school stuff on law school resume? Forum

[Eugenie Danglars]

I've read various threads on this topic, and they provide widely varied advice. It would be great if someone has personal experience with this to share.

When should be you put high school achievements on the law school app? I don't mean president of the Tuba Club or whatever, but like valedictorian of a large class or national level scholarships.

Thoughts?

[imchuckbass58]

The general rule with resumes is to put it on if it won't bump anything more important off.

So if the space on your 1 page is best spent devoting 2 lines to high school rather than devoting an extra two lines to college or recent work experience, go for it.

That said, I have a hard time believing that anything you did in high school is more important than more recent stuff. I can't possibly think an adcom would get more from knowing you were the valedictorian of your high school class than he/she would from knowing more about your recent work experience. Obviously I don't know your specific situation, but my inclination would be to leave it off.

[094320]

..

[cinefile 17]

Don't do it. It looks so tacky. I lol every time I see high school stuff on a resume.

[Dany]

Wait, what? There's actually mixed advice on this? I have ALWAYS heard that when you get to college, high school stuff goes out the window. Law school is a graduate degree program; you want to be sure you come across as a mature applicant, not someone who's still dwelling on high school accomplishments. Seriously, nothing from high school needs to be on your resume.

[jdhopeful11]

Does that mean that I can't include that I won the Wordmaster award my freshman year??

[WestOfTheRest]

Does that mean that I can't include that I won the Wordmaster award my freshman year??

No, you should include it. Devote 8-10 lines of your resume to it and call it a day.

[eberryhill7]

How about the First Degree Black Belt that I earned during my senior year of High School?

[billyez]

No.

[094320]

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[Dany]

Wait, what? There's actually mixed advice on this? I have ALWAYS heard that when you get to college, high school stuff goes out the window. Law school is a graduate degree program; you want to be sure you come across as a mature applicant, not someone who's still dwelling on high school accomplishments. Seriously, nothing from high school needs to be on your resume.

Unless it's like an Olympic Gold Medal. I think that might be the exception.

I wouldn't even consider that a high school accomplishment. He's clearly talking about things like high school valedictorian, not winning an Olympic gold. But you're right, something that insanely awesome would be something to keep on a resume.

[biggamejames]

Thoughts?

No. It makes you sound like one of those pathetic guys who constantly reminisce about being on their high school football team.

[merichard87]

How about the First Degree Black Belt that I earned during my senior year of High School?

I'll assume you're serious and actually answer. IMO this is an accomplishment no matter when you did it. I wouldnt necessarily put dates but I would put it under hobbies or something.

[lawschoolftw]

How about the First Degree Black Belt that I earned during my senior year of High School?

I'll assume you're serious and actually answer. IMO this is an accomplishment no matter when you did it. I wouldnt necessarily put dates but I would put it under hobbies or something.

+1 i left highschool accomplishments off, but did include the fact that I received my black belt. I even put the date. I agree this isn't really a "highschool" accomplishment." Especially if you're still active with the Martial Arts (as I am) I think this is very relevant. Date, no date it doesn't matter. It will probably have little to no affect on your application anyway.

[cojsterling]

How about being a volunteer firefighter fully certified from your junior year of highschool to the 2nd semester of college?

[lawschoolftw]

....

[pineappledazzler]

What about high school GPA, SAT, AP scores IF and ONLY IF your college does not give out grades? I am an international applicant who went to HS in the United States and is a US resident/citizen etc. but am doing my undergrad abroad. We don't have any grades so under college academics I only have my LSAT score because our degree is based on final exams I will take after I've already gotten in to (or not gotten in to) my law schools. My resume also looks sort of short without the HS GPA/test scores. But mostly to show what my record at a US school was like. Thoughts on this?

[Dany]

I'd ask the law schools you're applying to.

[shiroii]

what about internship/ job at law offices?

[Mick Haller]

why stop at high school? you should include your green ribbon from 5th grade potato bag race while you are at it. no callbacks unless your resume is at least 8.5 pages long.

[prezidentv8]

This thread is now about things we did in high school.

I was the backup center on my high school football team. And snapped the field goals and punts.

[soj]

what about internship/ job at law offices?

lol. law schools barely care about internships and jobs at law offices during or after UG, let alone before UG.

[Emma.]

How about the First Degree Black Belt that I earned during my senior year of High School?

This surely goes in your interests section or something, but it is a different scenario since it is not a high-school specific activity.

[Bildungsroman]

This thread is now about things we did in high school.

I was the backup center on my high school football team. And snapped the field goals and punts.

I was on debate team. I was also in a couple plays. My performance in all of this could be accurately described as "adequate".

[Icculus]

I was on debate team. I was also in a couple plays. My performance in all of this could be accurately described as "adequate".

One time I finger banged a girl at a freshman dance...I was also captain of the debate team. Suck it.