<p>Hi everyone! I'll be a college freshman in the fall and I am very excited... As of right now, I'm looking at law school as the next step after college. While I feel very sure that it is what I want, I know that as I move through my college years this could change, but I would like to ask a question anyway so as to keep it in mind as I begin college. </p>
<p>So, I know GPA and LSAT are VERY important. While I've always been highly involved in clubs, and had many leadership positions in high school, I don't know if that will be the same case in college (I can't see into the future, but let's hope I do get some leadership positions). I'm looking into doing research (i might be doing some research over the summer on neuroscience because it interests me but i'm not majoring in anything science related), volunteer work, travel abroad, and work with impoverished communities in third world countries (i'm from south america so i would like to focus on doing service and research on communities there) as well as internships over my summers (i live very close to D.C. and i'd love the experience.) So let's say I end up doing all of that and participate in clubs but don't get 'name' leadership positions (i.e. president, vice president, treasurer). Would that put me at a disadvantage when applying to top law schools if I have a good GPA and LSAT score?</p>
<p>I know it is probably too early to be asking, but it has been on my mind. Thank you for your time.</p>
<p>bump … any answers out there?</p>
<p>“Would that put me at a disadvantage when applying to top law schools if I have a good GPA and LSAT score?”</p>
<p>no</p>
<p>will not having any ec’s hurt you even with solid gpa/lsats?</p>
<p>If your stats are above a line, then the rest of your application matters very little. If your stats are below a line, then the rest of your application also matters very little, with some allowance for minority status & wealth. If you fall between the lines, then the rest of the stuff on your application starts to matter more. How much varies.</p>
<p>I agree, but within extremes. If an applicant truly had zero extracurriculars, I think even above-the-line numbers would get rejected.</p>
<p>What would “zero extracurriculars” look like? Do you thinking working during undergrad would be sufficient? Or maybe a research fellowship as well? I guess I am unclear about the definition for “extracurriculars.” Must it be some kind of club or something? Would one need at least some sort of leadership, or is working and maybe some independent (U. funded) research sufficient?</p>
<p>Those would push you out of zero territory. It’d still be weak and I’d worry about it, but it definitely wouldn’t be zero.</p>
<p>i have no idea what strong extracurriculars entail.</p>
<p>what is weak and what isn’t.</p>
<p>i’m thinking of just getting an internship to have something…</p>
<p>Find stuff you actually like to do. Those are more impressive than resum</p>
<p>On most applications there’s only like 4 likes where you could write your ECs. As long as you fill it up with not-so-horrible stuff you’re fine.</p>
<p>thanks everyone… the info was really helpful. I guess I always wondered like The Brian where things like research or doing service abroad falls into, and what exactly people consider weak activities. my worry is more that since i want to do travel abroad with service in mind how that would affect me being able to get leadership in clubs (if you’re not there a semester, can you really be part of a club that runs year round and have a leadership position in it.) but i guess i’m still thinking about it in the way a rising freshman would…</p>
<p>studying abroad in itself seems like a nice ec to me.</p>