Ep 93: What are Soft Factors in the Law School Admissions Process?
Today, Alice discusses the concept of soft factors in law school applications. Soft factors refer to all the elements of an application that are not the undergraduate GPA and LSAT score. For this episode, we focus on three key soft factors: the resume, letters of recommendation, and essays.
Episode Highlights
Soft factor significance varies across schools and application cycles.
Resumes should highlight commitment, responsibility, and accomplishments, even without legal experience.
Volunteer work can easily demonstrates dedication and community involvement.
Publication and research experience are not necessary, but can be valuable if applicable.
Choose recommenders carefully and prioritize quality over quantity in recommendation letters.
Essays offer an opportunity to showcase oneself and should be well-written, thoughtful, and follow instructions accurately.
Utilize optional essays to express more of what isn’t told in your personal statement or resume
Tweetable Quotes
“Your essays are the chance to fill that picture in for the committee in your own voice. Make sure they are some of your best writing, both in terms of mechanics and content. Put care and thought into what you choose to write about, and show that you can follow directions. Your essays are your first impression, and they can make a significant impact on your application.”