8 Tips for an Outstanding Application

Most law schools don't offer interviews. So it's important to make sure that your application is outstanding, since they can't meet the lovely you in person. 

Here's my Top 8 List for Outstanding Applications, compiled from all my research.

1. Start Early. This process can take awhile, and you don't want to rush and risk the chance of messing up. Remember the personal statement saga? DON'T be that person. Also the earlier you finish the earlier you could hear back. Many schools do rolling admissions, so you could potentially be in the first batch of applicants and hear back sooner.
2. LOR Do's and Don'ts. Letters of Recommendation, ask early for them. They are busy people, make sure you give them plenty of time to write the essays. Pick people who actually know you. Every book and admissions counselor I talked to said they would prefer to have have 1) Professors because they would know best whether you could handle the academic rigors of law school and 2) Bosses who know your character and work ethic. They said skip the lawyer friends of Daddy who don't really know you that well.  
3. Take the LSAT in JUNE. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. June is the best time to take the LSAT. And it's not just me, the experts think so too.
4. NO spelling and grammar errors. You want to convey the idea that you are a professional. Spelling and grammar errors show that you aren't ready for a professional career because you can't even take the time to adequately proof your application. My advice? Work on it. Leave it alone for a day, and then come back. Particularly aspects like your resume and personal statement, I would have those proofed by professors, editing savvy friends and Career Services.
5. Closing Personalized Paragraph. At the end of my personal statement for each school, I would include a school-specific paragraph. It may sound like more work, but from the admissions counselors I've talked to, it makes you stand out. So research each school, find a program or qualities it emphasizes and write about it. And this is the part where you convince them that by having you there, you would benefit from it, but you would also be able to contribute towards the school. 
6. Law Specific Resume. One of the ways I tried to have my resume stand out was by making a law-specific category. Why? Well it shows that 1) Law school isn't a last resort, or whim, that it's something I've pursued and thought out. 2) It helps them see that I have had internships and shadowing, so I know a little bit about the legal profession 3) It helps them as admissions boards, when reading through countless resumes, read it a little easier because they don't have to try and pick out the law-specific parts on their own.
7. Attend a Law School Forum. I attended one in Chicago (a little late, because I got hopelessly lost for an hour). It's a great experience! I got to talk to every admissions counselor from the schools I wanted to go to. I was able to ask them specific questions, and get their contact information. Later I sent follow-up emails thanking them for their time. 
8. Highlight leadership and education in Resume. Avoid ANYTHING from high school though. Use active verbs to show how you excelled in various areas. Highlight any academic honors.