What softs would I need for Harvard? How can I improve my softs for HLS? Forum

[CLS2020]

I just graduated from NYU summa cum laude with a 3.91 GPA majoring in both sociology and politics. I have also taken my LSAT and scored a 172. For the longest of time, my dream was to get into Columbia Law, and maybe my numbers alone would make me have a solid chance for CLS, but I've recently started wondering at my chances of getting into Harvard. I don't have the best softs, and I know that softs for HLS is, to a lesser extent than YLS and SLS, important to the decision. To the extent of softs, I have interned for UNICEF, have volunteered for a crisis line, am in the process of starting a nonprofit centered around mental health advocacy, have been a research assistant for one of my sociology professors and co-authored two online articles with her, and have worked as a canvasser and phone banker for multiple congressional campaigns. I am planning to apply two cycles from now. I want to get some work experience in before going to law school. I know I am late to the process (it was a mistake not to look for jobs during my senior year), but I am actively looking right now for legal assistant/paralegal positions, preferably at one of the BigLaw firms.

[cavalier1138]

The best softs are the ones you didn't pursue solely for the purpose of adding a line to your resume.

Seriously, just live your life. Your numbers are great, and they practically guarantee big scholarships from CCN on down. You should not be getting hyper-focused on a single top school, much less trying to craft your life experience to getting admission to one. When you're actually in the admissions process, you'll be able to focus on the important factors (job outcomes and cost of attendance).

[The Lsat Airbender]

Biglaw paralegal is a reasonable idea if you want to get into biglaw later on (or if you're not sure about biglaw and want to get a sense of the lifestyle) but it's not obviously better from an admissions standpoint than, say, waitressing.

Like cav says, it's not a good idea to approach normal life choices with this kind of calculus.

If you're dead-set on HLS for whatever reason (and, like cav also says, you should just take the huge Chicago/NYU scholarship instead nine times out of ten) then the best thing you can do is retake the LSAT for a 174, which along with 2 years of literally any work experience would make you a presumptive admit.

[miskellyjohnson]

You could try to get a Fulbright grant (research, not teaching assistant). Especially if you speak another language, there are certain countries that are not as competitive as you think, and with your grades and background, you would have a good shot if you can think of a good proposal that is tailored to a specific country. You would likely have to delay law school admission for a year if you got it, but it would probably be worth it from a personal view (great experience and connections), and would certainly help admissions at top schools. You dont have to be currently enrolled in college to get one.