<p>I am a freshman (Political Science Major, Pre-Law) at the University of Hartford, and though I plan to apply to Yale, Harvard and Stanford Law Schools, I would really like to know what they really consider in their admissions criteria. How best can I prepare a resume` that will appeal to such schools? What courses should I take, does Honors standing matter, and how should I go about choosing extracurriculars that will boost my resume? Additionally, what kinds of summer activities do these and other top law schools look for? Lastly, there is a matter that has been plaguing me for the last few days. At my university, there exist special classes called Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs). The professors who teach these classes, despite their different subjects (e.g. calculus and chemistry), emphasize certain aspects of their curriculum so as to complement each another’s lessons. For example, my adviser told me that I would benefit from taking her American Government class in conjunction with another instructor’s FIG philosophy class. The professor of that Philosophy class, however, teaches a form of political philosophy. My adviser also stated that I could contract to Honors level in both courses. Does it matter whether or not I take these courses, or is it better to take Dr. denOuden’s (for you UHA alumni surfing the site) Honors-level Philosophy course (which I was originally registered for, and the curriculum for which I found to be most stimulating (a 1-page paper per night).)?</p>
<p>There are many threads discussing the questions that you ask. In general top 14 law schools look at exam score and gpa. Then you can think about other factors.</p>
<p>After you have a high LSAT and GPA, you need to have:
- Excellent letters of recommendation from your professors.
That is usually accomplished by stopping by during their office hours. - A superb personal statement, this is designed to help you clarify to the admission officers who you are. (There are books on how to write excellent personal statements as well).
- Distinct extracurricular activities and work experience. You do not need to be involved in a million different clubs to gain admission. What you need is something that indicates that you were very involved and showed leadership in a few clubs. Leadership positions and organizing events definitely aids this part of your application. Excellent work experience and internships will aid your application as well.
- Evidence that you are intellectually curious. Try taking a few classes that are outside of your major. For instance, if you are a history major you might try taking a math or hard science class. The admission officers do value candidates who enjoy going across the disciplines and are not completely flat in that respect. Doing research can also help strengthen your application because it furthers the notion that you are a true scholar.<br>
These are just some of the things you can do to standout in the admissions pool. You should first concentrate on having a high GPA and LSAT. You absolutely must have those to even get into the door at most top law schools. After that having the other four factors I mentioned will increase your chances of admission at a T14 law school. (Although at some T14s you don’t have to have those four to gain admission; to get into Yale you do have to have those qualifications). Hopefully this helps.</p>
<p>Also, if you want to get in yale you are going to need more then a 4.0 + 177. Yale is notorious for admitting the “perfect” students…insane lsat, insane gpa, insane ec’s…harvard/stanford are more in line with the rest of the T14 in gpa + lsat.</p>
<p>Anecdotally the only kid I know of that got into Yale was a Fulbright scholar from UM (along with other things). Lax is correct; to get into Yale you need to have something outside of your high LSAT and GPA that makes you exceptional.</p>
<p>Stanford is even more subjective than Yale, really. Their acceptances versus LSAT/GPA look more random than any other school. Harvard is extremely numbers-based, though.</p>
<p>My advice for undergrad would be to go to a cheap school that gives lots of A+s and take the easiest classes possible. Otherwise there is not much you can do, it comes down to the LSAT.</p>