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Question on Softs

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2014 9:23 pm
by GnosisExchange
Post removed.

Re: Question on Softs

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2014 9:43 pm
by copingtrope
Seriously, don't worry about them. Do things outside of school that you find interesting and challenging, but just be sure to keep up your GPA and dominate the LSAT.

Re: Question on Softs

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2014 10:44 pm
by jacketyellow
GnosisExchange wrote:Hi,

I write because I am a bit confused. I have a very strong overall grasp of the LS admissions process (LSAT & uGPA reign supreme, only some PR and MA Hispanics count as URM, ext.); but I am very confused about softs. I mean, I know how they function, but I am not sure I understand the distinctions some of you guys are using. What constitutes strong softs? Above-average softs? Average softs? Below average softs? Weak softs?

Examples would be greatly appreciated!

I just want to make sure we are all speaking the same language.

Best,
GE
Strong or above-average softs would be a type of scholarship or fellowship such as being a Rhodes Scholar, Fulbright, etc. Also, TFA and other teaching programs are considered strong.

Re: Question on Softs

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2014 10:46 pm
by yomisterd
jacketyellow wrote:
GnosisExchange wrote:Hi,

I write because I am a bit confused. I have a very strong overall grasp of the LS admissions process (LSAT & uGPA reign supreme, only some PR and MA Hispanics count as URM, ext.); but I am very confused about softs. I mean, I know how they function, but I am not sure I understand the distinctions some of you guys are using. What constitutes strong softs? Above-average softs? Average softs? Below average softs? Weak softs?

Examples would be greatly appreciated!

I just want to make sure we are all speaking the same language.

Best,
GE
Strong or above-average softs would be a type of scholarship or fellowship such as being a Rhodes Scholar, Fulbright, etc. Also, TFA and other teaching programs are considered strong.
Wait teaching programs are strong?! I HAVE BEEN SO BLIND I thought I was just average-above average at most

Re: Question on Softs

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2014 10:47 pm
by iskim88
jacketyellow wrote:
GnosisExchange wrote:Hi,

I write because I am a bit confused. I have a very strong overall grasp of the LS admissions process (LSAT & uGPA reign supreme, only some PR and MA Hispanics count as URM, ext.); but I am very confused about softs. I mean, I know how they function, but I am not sure I understand the distinctions some of you guys are using. What constitutes strong softs? Above-average softs? Average softs? Below average softs? Weak softs?

Examples would be greatly appreciated!

I just want to make sure we are all speaking the same language.

Best,
GE
Strong or above-average softs would be a type of scholarship or fellowship such as being a Rhodes Scholar, Fulbright, etc. Also, TFA and other teaching programs are considered strong.

This.

Any anything that could portray your passion toward a certain discipline, I would say, can be considered an "above-average soft" for certain schools

Re: Question on Softs

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 1:17 am
by phillywc
They are soft factors because they can not be simply looked at like your LSAT or GPA can. The other posters are right.

Re: Question on Softs

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 9:53 am
by TheSpanishMain
GnosisExchange wrote:Hi,

I write because I am a bit confused. I have a very strong overall grasp of the LS admissions process (LSAT & uGPA reign supreme, only some PR and MA Hispanics count as URM, ext.); but I am very confused about softs. I mean, I know how they function, but I am not sure I understand the distinctions some of you guys are using. What constitutes strong softs? Above-average softs? Average softs? Below average softs? Weak softs?

Examples would be greatly appreciated!

I just want to make sure we are all speaking the same language.

Best,
GE
This one man's opinion, and the thing about "softs" is that, as the name implies, they're hard to quantify. It's not like there is a universally agreed upon chart that breaks down levels of softs.

That said, "strong" softs are things that relatively few applicants have, are prestigious, are likely to provide a boost to legal hiring, and almost always take place after undergrad. Things like prestigious postgrad fellowships, substantial professional work experience, military service, a really unique and compelling life story, etc.

Average softs are the kind of things that most strong law school applicants have. Usually stuff done on campus during undergrad: volunteer work, leadership in campus organizations, etc.

Weak softs usually just means the absence of all of the above. Might make you underperform your numbers because you look boring/not well rounded.

Re: Question on Softs

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 1:21 pm
by chneyo
...

Re: Question on Softs

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 1:55 pm
by TheSpanishMain
chneyo wrote:
TheSpanishMain wrote: Weak softs usually just means the absence of all of the above. Might make you underperform your numbers because you look boring/not well rounded.
Whenever I hear someone say they have weak softs, I automatically turn it into them saying they're "weak sauce". I don't know why. But it makes me laugh every time.
Hahaha..."weak sauce brokedick good to go, yut?"

Re: Question on Softs

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 1:59 pm
by Ricky-Bobby
TheSpanishMain wrote:
chneyo wrote:
TheSpanishMain wrote: Weak softs usually just means the absence of all of the above. Might make you underperform your numbers because you look boring/not well rounded.
Whenever I hear someone say they have weak softs, I automatically turn it into them saying they're "weak sauce". I don't know why. But it makes me laugh every time.
Hahaha..."weak sauce brokedick good to go, yut?"
Stop that. I'm having flashbacks. YATYAS, y'know?