What makes a law school applicant stand out?

Asked by: Prof. Monte Kuhn  |  Last update: July 20, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (47 votes)

Law schools want to admit motivated, energetic students who get involved and try to improve the campus—and world—around them. The admissions committee will be looking at your undergraduate extracurricular activities to get a sense of how involved you might be on their campus too.

How to stand out as a law school applicant?

Having several academic achievements aside from just a high GPA can help you stand out and prove your academic excellence. Consider applying for academic awards or participating in academic contests at your school.

What type of person does well in law school?

Aspiring law school students should be open-minded, detail-oriented, team-friendly and persistent, experts say.

How do I make my law school personal statement stand out?

Writing an awesome Personal Statement
  • Find a story to tell. Somewhere in your life, there is a story that indicates who you are, and why you're you.
  • Demonstrate leadership.
  • Show why you're a good fit.
  • Avoid cliché.
  • Don't mention your weaknesses.
  • Put yourself in their shoes.

Is a 2.7 GPA bad for law school?

4) what your GPA actually means -- a 2.7 seems pretty low to be a competitive applicant for the top LLM programs like you want to apply for. but if you were in the top 25%, 15%, 10% of your class, etc. and/or have earned some sort of honors in law school, it may be enough.

This Is What Makes a Law School Application Stand Out

17 related questions found

Is 2.9 GPA too low for law school?

1. What Is the Lowest GPA For Law School? Since the majority of law schools require a GPA of 3.0 or higher, anything below a 3.0 is considered very low. Some of the absolute lowest GPA requirements for schools are 2.80.

Can I get into Harvard with a 2.7 GPA?

While it's certainly possible to get into Harvard with a low GPA, as the numbers bear out, it's improbable. For the Class of 2027, a mere 2.21% of admitted students to Harvard had GPAs below 3.5.

What are law schools looking for in a personal statement?

We want you to use the personal statement to show us that you have the skills needed to succeed in law school, beyond what your LSAT score or GPA can tell us. We're looking for things like a strong work ethic, motivation, and the determination to overcome obstacles.

Why do I want to be a lawyer?

BECOMING A LAWYER IS A POWERFUL WAY TO HAVE REAL IMPACT.

As a lawyer, you can work for justice. You can create change and right the wrongs you see in your community. You can help people who need a passionate and effective advocate. Truth is, lawyers can work in just about any field.

What is a good length for a law school personal statement?

Some schools set no limit for personal statements, but most suggest either 2–3 or 2–4 pages. Aim for two pages, double-spaced. Do not make the error of thinking that more is better. Law schools value the ability to persuasively convey information in a relatively short space.

What personality type are most lawyers?

The legal profession is strongly concentrated among fewer than half of the types. And more than half of all lawyers are represented by just four types: ISTJ: Introvert-Sensor-Thinker-Judger, ESTJ: Extravert-Sensor-Thinker-Judger, INTJ: Introvert-iNtuitive-Thinker-Judger, and ENTP: Extravert-iNtuitive-Thinker-Perceiver.

What degree do most lawyers have?

Juris Doctor (JD)

A Juris Doctor degree is the required legal degree for professionals who are pursuing a career as a practicing attorney.

How to demonstrate interest in a law school?

The best explanation for wanting to attend law school is unlikely to be a complete chronicle of your life thus far. Instead, connect the dots between your background, law school, and future career goals. Emphasize how law school will build upon your past experiences to enable you to succeed in your chosen field.

What does a strong law school application look like?

Excellent Writing and Reading Abilities

Those skills need to be on full display in your law school applications. This means your personal statement and long-form answers need to be clear and thoughtful. Your overall application should be accurate and free of grammatical errors.

How do you ace a law school interview?

How to prepare for a law school interview
  1. Learn about the school. Research everything you can about the law school. ...
  2. Practice answers to common questions. ...
  3. Think of questions to ask. ...
  4. Practice speaking and nonverbal communication. ...
  5. Do a mock interview. ...
  6. Print a copy of your resume. ...
  7. Plan to follow-up afterward.

Do law schools care about your major?

The American Bar Association (ABA) states that they do not recommend any specific major for undergraduates or coursework to prepare for law school.

What are the skills a lawyer needs?

Important Qualities
  • Analytical skills. Lawyers interpret the law as it applies to their client's case. ...
  • Communication skills. ...
  • Interpersonal skills. ...
  • Persuasion. ...
  • Problem-solving skills. ...
  • Research skills.

Which subject is most important for law?

Any stream (Science, Commerce, or Humanities) can lead to a career in law. However, Humanities or Commerce might be particularly useful due to their emphasis on subjects like Economics, Business Studies, and Political Science, which are relevant to many areas of law.

What are lawyers passionate about?

For many successful attorneys, it's all about positive client outcomes and having your own roster of clients. Being a rainmaker creates control, freedom and for many lawyers, happiness. If there's a way to win in the game of law, this might be the promised land.

What skills do law schools look for in applicants?

Law schools expect that their applicants, who already hold bachelor's degrees, will already have well-developed communication skills. The ability to be clear and concise in your writing helps ensure you are understood as a lawyer when communicating with other lawyers, judges and clients.

Do law schools fact check personal statements?

Finally, this may go without saying, but don't stretch the truth or out-and-out lie in your personal statement. Law school admissions committees will be able to tell. And yes, they will check. Once you have a personal statement topic in mind, set aside some time to write—and just let yourself go.

What to say to a law school graduate?

Warmest congratulations on your hard-earned and well-deserved success! The legal profession needs more attorneys like you - smart, passionate, resourceful, resilient and compassionate. I'm grateful for the privilege of having worked with you, and I'm excited for all you will accomplish in the years ahead.

How smart is a 2.7 GPA?

Is a 2.7 GPA good? This GPA means that you've earned an average grade of a B- across all of your classes. Since a 2.7 GPA is lower than the national average of 3.0 for high school students, it will limit your options for college. 3.81% of schools have an average GPA below a 2.7.