<p>i know EC's are secondary compared to LSAT and GPA when it comes to law school admissions, but are there any EC's that do not fit into that secondary role? would being president of a club put some weight into their app?</p>
<p>How to answer... </p>
<p>From everything I've heard, almost any EC is secondary to LSAT and GPA. At most schools, the combination of those will put you in one of three categories: most likely admitted (unless you're a psychopath, can't write, or your profs hate you); most likely rejected (unless there is a very compelling reason for the LSAT or the GPA; or, geographic/racial minority); and the vast middle group. </p>
<p>Mostly, ECs will just help you to stand out from that vast middle group - but they are part of what I call the "third leg" to your application, which also includes work experience, major, recommendations, background, and essay. All of that together will help you to distinguish yourself. However, I really don't think that being president of a club would do much for you. Olympic athlete - maybe. President of the science club and Intel champion - yeah, that might help. Captain of your DI varsity team - sure, you might get a boost for that. That all said, save for something really amazing, I don't think that extracurriculars are going to make a difference (such as boosting you from the "presumably rejected" pile to the middle or admit groups). </p>
<p>Things that I do think would help: Fulbright or Rhodes scholarships; prestigous fellowships; or not just presiding over a club, but doing something like founding one that is influential in the community. </p>
<p>Some of it is also how you use whatever experience you have: Linda Hirsch, in "A Woman's Guide to Law School," mentions an essay written by a woman in the army who became interested in law school by looking up the law and statutes for the people under her command. That is probably a killer essay (and loosely falls under the extra-curricular definition) - but "I was chess club president" probably doesn't make you stand out too much.</p>
<p>OTOH, some schools (W&M being one) will ask if you did varsity athletics. Northwestern asks for a detailed account of extracurriculars, including leadership positions and hours spent on them.</p>
<p>If anyone else knows more about this, add in!</p>
<p>I think you hit it right on, Ariesathena. The only other notable exception would be for those applying to law school after years in a career. Older folk, that is. An exceptional career in a special niche can catch the eye of the law school admissions director. I have known several adults who got into top law schools after about a 10 year hiatus, and they would not have been such good material immediately after undergrad. In a sense, I fit that groove, though I did take a number of courses to bring my gpa way up, was in a specialy niche and had extraordinary high LSATs, but was not any celebrity or truly exceptional career person. Many of us in specialty grooves were welcomed by law schools despite blemishes in our undergrad record, I noticed.</p>
<p>does knowing a foreign language factor in anyhow?</p>
<p>Foreign languages don't hurt; I'm not sure that they help that much.</p>
<p>I'd rank "impressing a law school admissions committee" very far down on the list of reasons for learning a language.</p>
<p>Surprisingly, playing varsity sports at a Division-1 school seems to impress some law schools. I know people (non-URM) who got into top schools with relatively modest numbers, apparently on the basis of this. </p>
<p>I guess they just like the diversity it adds, and respect the accomplishment it represents.</p>
<p>how about people who are president of orgranizations like... pre-law society or mock trial or phi alpha delta pre-law frat, etc.</p>
<p>Cardozo- which law schools like division I athletes? Thanks.</p>
<p>Juliet -- I would bet most top schools like succesful atheletes, as long as they have decent numbers, because they're just so different from the rest of the class, and also clearly have motivation, drive, and a desire for excellence. (It's not easy to play sports at a Division One school.) </p>
<p>If you're curious about any specific school, you should contact them and inquire how that might impact your application. I'm sure they'll let you know if it's helpful.</p>
<p>how about running a political commentary site that is like drudgereport junior?</p>
<p>this kid in college with me in my political science class does this</p>
<p>Hi Cardozo. I am writing for my brother. He attends a top 15 university. His GPA is maybe a 2.8-3.0. He should do well on his LSAT because he is smart and does well on standardized exams. I think he should get 155 or better. He plays Division I sports and it has taken up alot of his time. Do you know of any schools that your colleagues have gotten into with similiar stats . Thanks</p>
<p>does anyone know this:</p>
<p>how about people who are president of orgranizations like... pre-law society or mock trial or phi alpha delta pre-law frat, etc.? do those play some minor impact into admissions?</p>