How much do law schools care about extracurricular activities?
Asked by: Jacynthe Heller | Last update: September 17, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (49 votes)
How Much Do Extracurriculars Matter for Law School? Extracurricular activities are typically less important than grades and LSAT scores, but they can be more important than other “soft” factors.
Does law school care about extracurriculars?
Law schools do not care about extracurricular activities. Now, if you are a national champion in debate, they might care (a bit), but it's never going to be a big factor in admissions.
Do law firms care about extracurriculars?
Law firms and potential employers absolutely love to see one of these extracurriculars on your resume.. 2L year brings your first exposure to on-campus interviews. A favorite question interviewers ask is whether you participate in any extracurriculars.
Does Harvard law care about extracurricular activities?
Neither. Law schools won't care. If you want Harvard you'll need a great GPA and LSAT. Extracurriculars won't do anything, so do what you enjoy.
How much do law schools care about work experience?
Most law schools want to see that you consistently keep busy working/volunteering. Some schools will even ask you to write an appendix if you have any long gaps in your resume.
A Harvard Lawyer's Picks for the Best Law School Extracurriculars
What jobs look good on law school applications?
- Paralegal or legal assistant.
- Research or policy analyst.
- Teaching.
- Community work.
- Working for a startup.
Do law firms care where you went to law school?
Your Previous (On-the-Job) Training
Certain firms have the reputation for training people very well—and everyone knows that they have high expectations for the people there. If you get a good job right out of school or thereafter (with a major law firm), firms no longer really care about where you went to law school.
Do Ivy Leagues care about extracurriculars?
After all, it's all about differentiation in elite college admissions. That said, a student's extracurricular hook should shine through the following avenues: School-based activities. Ideally, students have gotten involved in a few extracurriculars at their school that closely align with their chosen hook.
What extracurricular activities for Oxford law?
Candidates should include extra-curricular activities that demonstrate their interest in Law and their suitability for the program. This can include participation in moot court competitions, mock trials, debating societies, legal clinics, or volunteer work with legal organizations.
Do law schools look at experience?
Including Your Work History in Your Application
Your law school resume should clearly present all your work experience. Schools also commonly ask applicants to list each significant job or volunteer position individually on a separate form for easy comparison.
Do law schools look at volunteer hours?
An applicants' volunteer work can help law school officials see examples of leadership and community building. Whether you are applying to law school as a college student or are already in the workforce, what you do in your free time says a lot about who you are and what you value.
Do law firms look at your grades?
Grades are important to many law firms when making hiring decisions. However, the weight that they carry in these decisions most often depends on the particular firm involved and whether you are (A) a junior attorney or law student, (B) a mid-level to senior associate, or (C) a partner.
What do law schools care most about?
There's really no way around it—your LSAT score, GPA, and the rigor of your undergraduate course work are basically the most important things law schools are looking for. Also keep in mind that your LSAT score and GPA can make a huge difference in the scholarships and grants you'll be eligible for.
Can you still have fun in law school?
Yes, law schools have fun events and activities; they're just more focused on the lawyering experience. Professional development, academic discussion, and networking will be top priorities.
Can a 3.0 GPA get into law school?
So, the short answer to the question, “can you get into law school with a 3.0?” is yes!
Do law schools like extracurriculars?
Ultimately, extracurricular activities are a plus factor. Law schools weigh grades and LSAT scores most heavily, but keeping busy in interesting and admirable ways is a way to distinguish yourself against a sea of applicants with similar numbers.
Can you get into Oxford with no extracurriculars?
Extra- and Super-Curricular Activities
Tutors make the admissions decisions based on your academic abilities and potential alone: extra-curricular activities do not form part of the selection criteria in any subject.
Which Oxford campus is best for law?
Brasenose College has also been referred to as the friendliest college, making it a perfect environment to study Law. Location: Brasenose College is situated on Radcliffe Square, in the centre of Oxford University and the city. This makes it a top choice among prospective students.
What are Tier 1 extracurricular activities?
Tier 1 – Extracurriculars
Examples include: winning national awards. holding prominent positions in renowned organizations. spearheading initiatives with significant societal impact.
Do Ivy Leagues accept C's?
Yes, the admissions people will see your transcript first to see if you're capable of academically succeeding at their school. If you have a few B's here and there or your GPA is lower than other applicants, they'll check other areas of your application like extracurriculars, teacher recommendations, essay, etc.
Does UCL care about extracurriculars?
UCL admissions officers look for depth and commitment in your activities, rather than a long list of superficial involvements. Moreover, reflecting on your extracurricular experiences in your personal statement can add depth to your application.
What do most lawyers make out of law school?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the average lawyer salary out of law school in the US is $163,770.
Does it actually matter where you go to law school?
School rankings matter because they matter to employers. There are always exceptions to the rule, but generally, students at higher-ranked schools have better post-graduate outcomes.
Where is it hardest to become a lawyer?
1. California
Law students across the US may be familiar with the famed “impossible” California bar exam. But why is the California bar exam so hard? For starters, the cut score (the score needed to pass the test) of the California bar is 1390 out of 2000, which is 40 points above the national average.