How big is student activities in relation to getting into law school?

Pi Kapp 142 · #1 10-28-2003, 06:51 PM

Do they help?

babyhootie · #2 10-30-2003, 07:31 PM

I would like to know too!!! Thanks

dekeguy · #3 11-11-2003, 12:59 AM

Student activities do not seem to help as much as I would have liked. What opens doors are a strong GPA, good LSAT results, and really meaningful letters of recommendation. A letter from your senator or a senior judge won't count for much unless the
person writing the rec knows you well and can point to specifics that add substance to the letter. Student activities can enhance a strong application but will not compensate for a low GPA or unfortunate LSAT score. Concentrate on the cake and don't rely on the iceing. Getting in is not really that hard, but you do need to present credentials that Law Schools care about.

rho4life · #4 11-12-2003, 02:40 PM

I will echo the previous post, and add that being a member of a lot of groups is not impressive to law schools. They want the leaders or founders of new groups. The more competitive school that your bachelor's is from, the easier it is to get into law school. ie, if you have a 3.5 from Yale, you're going to get into more schools than someone w/ a 3.5 or even a 4.0 from a state school.

Good Luck!

valkyrie · #5 11-14-2003, 10:18 PM

In my experience, admissions people at law schools care about grades and LSAT scores, period. I think that they're sometimes impressed by people who have been out of school for a few years because they bring a different perspective to school, but I've never heard of them caring about activities.

Anyway, my real advice is: DON'T GO TO LAW SCHOOL unless you really know what you're getting into, but maybe that's a discussion for another day.

bruinaphi · #6 11-25-2003, 10:29 PM

I would say that every law school is different in how they look at activities. I was on the admissions committee and whether or not you made it to committee depended on your scores and LSATs but then to differentiate the people from the major clusters we read personal statements, recs, looked at activities, jobs, etc. I really looked for people who would bring a different perspective to the classroom. You learn from hearing the different perspectives presented in class.

I totally agree with Valkyrie on not going to law school unless you know you want to be a lawyer more than anything. It's a grueling process leading to a career that many don't like.

Good luck!

LD

G8Ralphaxi · #7 12-02-2003, 02:35 AM

Almost every law school (at least every one I've heard about)manages their admissions process by dividing the applicants in 3 groups. Every decent law school gets many more applications than they have spots.

The division is based on a math formula derived from your LSAT and GPA. Different schools might place a little more weight on one factor or the other, but both numbers will be very important. The number the school gets from that factor will decide which group you belong to:

1. Admit (high GPA, high LSAT, would be in top % of incoming class)
2. Needs further consideration
3. Deny (low GPA and LSAT)

Group 1 will be admitted automatically, unless there is some kind of extremely major problem with the applicant - like a series of felony arrests, getting caught in a serious cheating violation, etc.

Group 3 will be denied automatically, unless there's some (very very rare!) reason to excuse the deficiency.

Only if you're in Group 2 will anyone read your application, essays, recommendation letters, etc.

What you need to do is research the schools where you're applying - most will release info about the GPA and LSAT scores for their most recent 1L class - usually give you info like averages, and top 25%/middle 50%/bottom 25%. You should be able to predict where you fall.

If you're not in the top 25% of the school's class, you need to show the admissions people that you are prepared for law school, you have thought carefully and intelligently about your choice to attend (i.e., you care about the law, it's not about being rich and famous), and you are an interesting person who will add something to the class.

What others have said already is right - you need quality, not quantity on your resume. It will always look better to be an officer in one club, and maybe manage a big project than list 42 different organizations and then just "..., Member" afterwards.

Regarding recommendation letters, I managed to get one that was so wonderfully perfect, I didn't even realize it until later. I had worked for the alumni association as a part time job for just over a year - just a student assistant, minimum wage deal. My boss was one of the people in charge of alumni fundraising. She wrote a letter saying that I was a super-devoted Gator, and if I stayed at UF for law school, I would be extremely likely to donate $$$ to the university later. (Turns out she was right - I just headed up my graduating class gift project!)

I would definitely recommend getting a job on campus, with whatever alumni association type group you have. You make great connections too.

Glitter650 · #8 12-07-2003, 02:07 AM

Reading this makes me sad because I just received my UCLA law school APP and it's like a freakin' NOVEL like 4 questions that require serious thought and a written response PLUS the actual ESSAY essay... PLUS info on your high school and EVERYTHING sad to think they may not even take to time to read all of this after I spent so much time, not to mention money getitng all of this information to them, but I figured I mean really it's just like undergrad admittance, expcept I find a bit less stress is put on SAT scores than is put on LSAT scores. == SIGH == wish me luck !

babyhootie · #9 12-23-2003, 04:01 PM

hey.. for those of you who care... i totally got into my second choice law school! (nashville school of law!)... yay!

thanks for all the LSAT, LSAC, etc. advice, everybody!

rho4life · #10 12-23-2003, 04:10 PM

Good Job!!!

Enjoy your last summer of freedom. If you can afford to take any trips do it now, b/c you won't be worry free again until after the bar exam. I also suggest leaving the country for a few weeks after the bar exam to clear your head. IF you have any unresolved issues, either w/ people, or registering your car, or wanting to buy a new computer, or whatever, get is RESOLVED before starting school in the fall. Your first year grades determine where you will be able to work once you graduate. The only thing that trumps 1st year grades is nepotism. Warn your family now that you won't be around much next year. I realize this may sound evil, but it pays off. One of my classmates sent her kids to live w/ their grandparents during her 1st year. She got a job w/ a great firm and bought a new Benz during exams of our 3rd year. She didn't pass the bar the 1st time, and the firm still wanted her!

Anyway, enough horror stories for now. Good Luck next year!

Kimmie1913 · #11 12-23-2003, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by valkyrie

Anyway, my real advice is: DON'T GO TO LAW SCHOOL unless you really know what you're getting into, but maybe that's a discussion for another day.

MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY!!!

Signed,
Memeber of the Bar 5 Years as of this month

DolphinChicaDDD · #12 01-02-2004, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by babyhootie
hey.. for those of you who care... i totally got into my second choice law school! (nashville school of law!)... yay!

thanks for all the LSAT, LSAC, etc. advice, everybody!

Congrats!!!
I'm waiting for my letters of acceptance

I think it helps to be positive.
But seriously, I go for an interview for my #1 choice on Thursday.

squirrely girl · #13 01-02-2004, 12:31 AM

grrrrrr... darn all of y'all who get to find out so soon 'bout law/grad school.

ph.d applicants in psychology have to wait 'til like march...

marissa

AGDee · #14 01-02-2004, 02:02 PM

Good luck Marissa! What schools did you apply to? (PM me if you'd rather not say on the board!)

Dee

USFAlum · #15 02-25-2004, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pi Kapp 142
Do they help?

not very for most law schools... my boyfriend (a LXA) ia an attorney and 9 of my friends are in law school. Syeracuse (that is so NOT how you spell it) seems to be big on student acivities though and not so big on the LSAT. But for most schools, you are better off just working hard in college, getting a high GPA, and doing the best you can on the LSAT. Student Activities are a great way to make friends, gain experience, and grow as a person. I was in everything when I was in college and it made my college experience amazing though. If anone has any questions regarding law school- i can definately give your info to some great contacts- so PM Me!
Thanks
USFAlum