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What are "softs" and how are they classified?

LSAT score and GPA are "hard" data. Softs refer to everything in your application that isn't "hard" data.

Softs are inherently unquantifiable. That's why they're called softs.

The tiers below are very rough guidelines for putting a number on something that really can't be quantified. Don't take the tiers too seriously when comparing yourself to other applicants on LSData. Holistically valuing softs is the admissions committee's job.

The soft tier system is copied from an old reddit post by /u/whistleridge.

@adcoms - is this information out of date? Email us at admissions@lsd.law and tell us how we can improve!

Soft tiers

Please do not consider under represented minority (URM) status when classifying your soft tier.

Tier 1 (extremely rare)

  • High decorations for valor (Congressional Medal of Honor, DSC/Navy Cross, Silver Star)
  • Rhodes Scholarship
  • Started multimillion-dollar company/innovative service that is household name
  • C-level executive in publicly traded/Fortune 500 company
  • Professional athlete/college athlete who was a lock for professional except for injury
  • Widely published author/heavily cited academic
  • Prior high expertise in field (surgeon who invented technique, etc.)

Tier 2 (rare)

  • Decorated military service (Purple Heart, Bronze Star)
  • Fulbright/other prestigious scholarship
  • NCAA athlete in standout position, e.g. household basketball name, led water polo team to 3 titles, etc.
  • Overcome extraordinary physical/mental handicap (ALS, blind & deaf, etc.)
  • High level (director, etc.) position in prior employment
  • Prior demonstrations of high expertise (patents, etc.)

Tier 3 (uncommon)

  • Commissioned military service
  • Prestigious undergraduate scholarships and/or research awards
  • NCAA athlete
  • Overcame extraordinary adversity (childhood poverty, physical/mental handicap, etc.)
  • Published academic
  • Peace Corps/Americorps/other public service
  • Prior employment in legal field or otherwise pertinent area (engineer for IP, etc.)
  • Disadvantaged status: LGBTQ+, first in family to attend college, single working parent, etc.

Tier 4 (common)

  • Any military service
  • Legal internships
  • Congressional internships
  • President/officer of clubs/frat/etc.
  • School newspaper/yearbook/etc.
  • Honors societies

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llama
22:26
@ParallelAgreeableOrangutan: Deep/tough. Feels. Im well working on a project so im happy :)
NemoPropheta
22:28
should i hit the dmt pen in the sauna and meet god
ParallelAgreeableOrangutan
22:31
Ooh what kind of project? Work, passion, neither, both?
ParallelAgreeableOrangutan
22:31
@NemoPropheta: do it do it
NemoPropheta
22:37
alright day before my lsat ill hit a blinker in the sauna and become one with the test
llama
22:47
@ParallelAgreeableOrangutan: law school data so just passion.
llama
22:47
@NemoPropheta: noo they drug test before the LSAT! U will get flagged!
ParallelAgreeableOrangutan
23:19
I'm intrigued llama
ParallelAgreeableOrangutan
23:21
Holdddddup all that number crunching on your lsd profile is your work? Damn
ParallelAgreeableOrangutan
23:21
I don't visit y'all's profiles enough, clearly
NarrowFaithfulCougar
0:22
@NemoPropheta: Ahh yeah, the Sauna. That's some good Nordic shit. Beats the hot tub hands down. Plus everyone is naked.
llama
1:23
@ParallelAgreeableOrangutan: got that weaponized autism in gear, we out here.
RasheedWallaceFan
12:52
@llama: your cycle confuses me, your stats are good and you applied early but all of those Rs? Is there anything weird about your app?
RasheedWallaceFan
12:53
do you have C&F issues or something?
RasheedWallaceFan
12:55
also ur first choice is kansas but you didnt apply there?
llama
12:55
@RasheedWallaceFan: Hi. Yes, I waited for April LSAT, put almost all apps (which were sent really early) so that basically most of my apps were reviewed In May. Shot myself in the foot for 155 -> 161 lmao. Would not recommend 10/10
llama
12:57
@RasheedWallaceFan: unironically, KSLS was my top choice, however by April LSAT their app had closed. It was like waiting to date ur dream partner, but waiting until you graduate uni, then by the time u graduate uni, your soul mate is already married with 2.4 kids and 1.6 dogs. Heartbreak.exe fr fr
NemoPropheta
12:58
are you R&Ring?
llama
13:00
No, I think what I will do is flip a coin: heds NKU, tails NEL|B what u guys think bout dat. Then once 1L - if good at LS, try to transfer, if bad at LS or one of my grandiose ideas/inventions are viable, drop out and pursue.
RasheedWallaceFan
13:10
oh so you submitted the apps with a lower lsat and then retook
RasheedWallaceFan
13:10
got it
Bettercaulsaul
13:33
Most schools will hold your application for the next test score to be released into your account as well. I was notified by an admissions director that if a decision is processed they will not retroactively go back for the new score even if higher
ParallelAgreeableOrangutan
13:34
I vote NEL-Boston so we can be friends :D
ParallelAgreeableOrangutan
13:34
But it says you withdrew?? :(
ParallelAgreeableOrangutan
13:41
@Bettercaulsaul: in my experience, there is often an option on the application for you to choose whether you'd like them to review your application as-is ASAP or hold it until your new score is released. but it probably varies by school—I just remember seeing that option on at least a few app forms
llama
2:21
While I am unsure of what option you are referring to, I personally just emailed each school and asked for them to hold my app pending my lsat score release.
llama
2:22
Sorry WNE = Western New England not NEL|B
LawCarrot
14:50
Hey guys is anyone online rn
LawCarrot
14:51
I need adviceee
llama
15:48
shooooot
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