<p>Ok, so this has probably been asked and answered, but I am going to ask it anyway. So, how important are extracurriculars and non-academic experiences as far as law school admission goes? I am currently an Emory first year student with sophomore academic standing. I got a 4.0 last semester and my significant ec was that I had a part-time campus job (non-work study) as an editor of a financial literacy magazine. This semester, I received a research assistanceship that requires 10-12 hours per week. So, now its about 20 hours of work a week...also I am taking 17 credit hours (3 out of 4 classes are 300 level courses). Right now, I am kind of feeling overwhelmed...does it look bad to not be very balanced between academics and ecs? any help would be appreciated!! thanks!</p>
<p>Conventional wisdom is that GPA and LSAT is THE driving force, with ECs playing little or no role. You have a great GPA from a very good school, so just keep it up and prepare well for the LSATs -- and then keep you options open by applying to a few top LS and a few top regionals, and you will be fine.</p>
<p>Econrobot,</p>
<p>I think it's more likely that EC's could play a tie-breaking role in helping diffrentiate you from other candidates with comparable GPA's and LSAT scores.</p>
<p>EC's can also help you stand out from the crowd when you're applying for jobs after law school. Keep the research assistanceship if you can maintain your excellent grades.</p>
<p>how about these two:</p>
<p>being in the honors program of your college and completing a senior thesis?</p>
<p>or</p>
<p>being a member of the student government (like, the one that governs the school)</p>
<p>do any of those two provide a boost (or are at least much more respectable than president of a club?)</p>
<p>My boring advice: stop thinking about law school admissions in the way that you think about undergrad admissions. </p>
<p>Most law schools rank their applicants using a GPA/LSAT formulas. Some might tweak them to account for undergrad school (such as by multiplying the whole thing by average LSAT of the school), then they accept from the top down and reject from the bottom up.</p>
<p>Obviously, the best thing you can do is put yourself high up in that pile. Start with a presumption of acceptance, and then let them nitpick about extracurriculars. If your ECs are truly bad, think about taking a year or two off (which is often a good idea anyway) and developing a resume - which will also help you in finding a job.</p>
<p>I saw this somewhere.... they were mentioning that being in Mock Trial, especially a good mock trial team, will be a good boost into law schools. True? or do law schools still don't care about mock trial since its just like any other extracurricular?</p>
<p>I would read or re-read the boring advice of ariesathena, and the advice from other people above and...PAY ATTENTION. :D</p>
<p>To the original poster -- as noted, GPA is more important than EC's, so if you're overwhelmed, cut back on the work. One of those two jobs should be adequate, if you want something else on your resume. Many students at top schools probably have no EC's.</p>
<p>wildflower, i am just looking for exceptions to the rule for extracurriculars. obviously, LSAT and GPA are the main criteria behind law school admissions. but jonri also posted some interesting factors too:</p>
<p>i was reading another thread on another CC forum, and someone mentioned: how could they reject someone on the national championship mock trial team?</p>
<p>Hmm, to answer your last question: Easy, bad grades and bad LSAT scores. More so, do you have any idea of what it takes to win a championship for a mock trial TEAM? </p>
<p>Good Luck.</p>
<p>Wasn't Wildflower the student still considering colleges? She sounds like an old pro now! Either I've confused my posters, or she's a very quick study.</p>
<p>hahaha...quick learner, I'd say:D</p>
<p>we teach'um up good here!</p>
<p>LOL! You guys are great.</p>