Is volunteering abroad a good soft? Forum

[Jdhoosier17]

I graduate in December and am taking a gap year. I am in the military and will be deployed starting in June the following year after graduating. Essentially, I am looking for a really good soft to boost my application during the January- May 2018 timeline. I was thinking of going to Kenya and teaching English. I would have to work really hard and live minimally if I wanted to do this. Is it worth the struggle? Will it significantly boost my law school application to take on this project? If not, what are some other ideas that will boost my application? Just for reference, I am a AA female with a 3.35 GPA and I'm still studying for the LSAT.
Thanks in advance

[#gobroncos]

I'm a current volunteer abroad, for what it's worth.

It's not a strong soft, especially if you're going for top schools and even less if it's only Jan-May. I think that perhaps the one plus it brings is that you simultaneously get volunteer experience, living abroad experience, and (in some cases) foreign language expertise, all of which are soft factors. But I think that your military experience will be a much, much stronger soft than volunteering abroad, especially as you've proposed it.

One shouldn't spend time abroad just to get a soft, either. Go because it's an awesome, perspective changing experience if you feel drawn to it because the requirements of simple living here in the developing world will eat at you big time if you're just in it for a resume line.

[BigZuck]

Probably nothing you can just pick up and do for 6 months to boost your application. Plus that's not a great way to live life, IMO.

Just focus on the LSAT. An extra handful of points (maybe even just one point) will likely do far more good for your application than volunteering. That's not to say don't volunteer, just don't do it to try and puff up a law school application.

[BlendedUnicorn]

Yeah volunteering abroad in Kenya could be a great experience but probably won't make a significant impact on your applications.

[Jdhoosier17]

I'm a current volunteer abroad, for what it's worth.

It's not a strong soft, especially if you're going for top schools and even less if it's only Jan-May. I think that perhaps the one plus it brings is that you simultaneously get volunteer experience, living abroad experience, and (in some cases) foreign language expertise, all of which are soft factors. But I think that your military experience will be a much, much stronger soft than volunteering abroad, especially as you've proposed it.

One shouldn't spend time abroad just to get a soft, either. Go because it's an awesome, perspective changing experience if you feel drawn to it because the requirements of simple living here in the developing world will eat at you big time if you're just in it for a resume line.

I've always wanted to do this especially because my roots are in Africa so it is not simply for my resume. But there are other times I can do it like after I apply to law schools. However, these few months are more dedicated to my application because I'm not sure what a good/average soft is.

[emkay625]

You've already got pretty great softs—AA female military veteran. I don't think this will provide a larger soft boost than you're already going to get. Only do it if it's something you want to do anyway, and based on your posts above, it seems like that's the case. Regarding timing, if it's just as easy to do if after the LSAT, you should probably do it after.

[JuliaReina]

Hello there! I am spam!

[Rigo]

I wouldn't recommend studying for the LSAT in Kenya. Either fully immerse yourself abroad or fully immerse yourself in LSAT study here. I wouldn't recommend both.
-someone who tried both