Prestigious Prizes Don't Guarantee Admission to Top Law Schools | Law Admissions Lowdown - U.S. News & World Report
Rather than think of law admissions as a Darwinian competition or as an inscrutable game of chance, think of how to convey to law schools that you will contribute valuably to their class.(Getty Images)
Some people have the misimpression that law school admissions is like the Olympics, a competition with set rules in which the “best” or “smartest” applicants come out on top.
In reality, law school admissions committees have several objectives beyond finding smart and highly qualified applicants. They also want to assemble a balanced class composed of students with diverse backgrounds and interests.
They want students with the maturity and life experience to handle the rigors of law school, which is one reason why law schools can be wary of early college graduates. They vigilantly weed out applicants who may act disgracefully or disrespectfully to others – not every academic overachiever has the professional composure that law school requires.
Because of all these factors, many applicants who look good on paper, with perfect LSAT scores and transcripts and even “soft" factors like extracurricular achievements, are nevertheless rejected by top law schools.
If such applicants apply to a wide range of law schools, they are unlikely to come out empty-handed. But individual schools may reject them for reasons that seem arbitrary to someone unable to see the full applicant pool.
Even applicants who have received prestigious honors should not rest on their laurels. Graduating college summa cum laude, winning a rare honor like the Rhodes or Marshall scholarship, or performing at the top of the field in an athletic or artistic endeavor will greatly increase your chances of admission. But they will not open every door. While there are plenty of Rhodes scholars among the ranks of the top law schools, there are plenty who were roundly rejected.
This was particularly true last year, when applications to law school jumped, resulting in oversubscribed classes.
It is likely to be true this year as well, which is shaping up to be only slightly less competitive.
Rather than think of law admissions as a Darwinian competition or as an inscrutable game of chance, think of how to convey to law schools that you will contribute valuably to their class. Think about the skills and experiences you bring to the table. Show you are committed to the legal field.
Show law school admissions officers that you are taking the admissions process seriously by putting thought into your personal statement, resume, and other materials. Review your application for careless errors.
Whether or not you have won a prestigious prize or other high honor, focus on demonstrating to law school admissions officers why you should be accepted rather than expecting to be rewarded or punished for your achievements or lack thereof.
There are many resources available to help you make this pitch, including informational websites, prelaw advisers, admissions consultants and special preparatory programs geared toward underrepresented or first-generation applicants.
As a bonus, these efforts will help you practice skills useful to your legal career. After all, even lawyers who win top awards, work at prestigious law firms or earn national press for winning major cases cannot sit back and rest on their laurels. They still have to get back to work and show current and prospective clients how they will be of service.
source: https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/law-admissions-lowdown/articles/prestigious-prizes-dont-guarantee-admission-to-top-law-schools
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