The competition to get into the law school of your choice is high. Admissions offices only select a handful of applicants each year out of the thousands who apply. To stand out above the crowd and have the highest chances at selection, read through this list of crucial determining factors a law school admissions office will utilize to make their evaluations.
Undergrad GPA
Your undergraduate GPA displays your academic performance throughout your college career. An admissions office will take this GPA and determine your long-run excellence. Having a high GPA tells prospective schools you have the fortitude and incentive to perform at the next level.
The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) combines your undergraduate GPA with your highest LSAT score to create an LSAT/GPA index, which benchmarks you with other applicants at a specific school. Your undergrad GPA is one of the baseline factors that determine your law school admission.
Leadership Experience
An applicant’s ability to display leadership skills shows any law school admissions office that you’ll make a substantial impact within your community. While gaining such experiences is important, showing the tangible result of your leadership skills paints a broader image. A few ways to gain leadership experience include student organizations, large class projects, and work experience.
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation allows a third party to speak on behalf of your academic integrity and drive. Making a well-thought-out decision on who provides this letter is vital in how the admissions office will receive the recommendation.
LSAT Scores
Easily one of the most critical factors that determine your law school admission is your LSAT score. The test measures a student’s ability to excel in law school. It will test an applicant’s analytical and logical reasoning and reading comprehension skills.
Preparation for the test takes months. Completing the test and receiving an acceptable score takes a certain degree of mental and physical stamina. This process is often overwhelming and long—but it’s absolutely essential. An applicant may take the test up to three times within a single academic testing year.
Personal Statement
A personal statement is an opportunity to connect to the admissions officers and convey the “why” to your journey. These statements are a great time to connect with the admissions officers personally and share your message about why you’d make an exceptional law student and future lawyer. A law school admissions consultant will help you craft your personal statement to explore your personality suited for that law school’s application process.