Non-traditional student application

[lsatopocalypse]

hello,

I have just become aware of "non-traditional students" and I have few questions that I cannot find answers for through scouring google.
First, I am now 26 years old and I took 4 and a half years off of school between high school and undergrad - would this qualify me as a non-traditional?

Also, do non-traditionals have any kind of advantage when applying or are they subject to being admitted to schools with lesser numbers than would be required for a traditional student?
Finally, if I am considered to be a non-traditional student, would off how i spent my time away from school benefit me in the application process? i spent my time off by sailing around the world, and helped grow a non-profit out a garage into a 75,000 sq. foot warehouse in which we aggregated handmade goods made by unprivileged people around the world by paying them a fair wage and getting their products into the America market. In addition we temporarily employed 50+ refugees at time and brought english teachers in for them for half the day and organized job fairs to get them permanently employed after their temporary positions with our nonprofit was over.

While working 30-35 hours a week for the non-profit, I attended school full time and always took a very heavy course load (no less than 18 credits at a time and at most 24 credits in one semester) to expedite my graduation date. I will graduate with a 3.5 GPA. Will this amount of hard work at one time for several years be considered as a potential application boost?

Will these facts help me? i am not sure if i would be considered a nontraditional student and i really don't know what info i could provide to make myself seem like a more attractive candidate? Any input would greatly appreciated.

Sorry for rambling excuse of paragraph i just wrote. I am just massively unsure of myself in regards to law school.

[Nikki Siclunov]

Hi lsatopocalypse,

The short answer to your question is - yes, these factors will absolutely help you. They won't by themselves overcome a subpar LSAT score (your GPA is respectable, but not stellar), but they can play a decisive role when you're being compared with applicants with similar numbers. Every admissions officer that we've spoken to considers time off between college and law school to be a good thing, as long as you use that time productively and show that it has helped you mature. In fact, certain law schools - such as Northwestern - practically demand that you have a few years of working experience under your belt. Many would argue that law schools are slowly transitioning to a business-school model of admissions, where soft factors, such as volunteering or working experience, get to play a greater role than before.

Having a stellar LSAT score is still absolutely necessary if you're aiming for the top; however, once you overcome the initial "numerical" hurdle, the story you tell in your personal statement can set you apart from those with similar numbers. From what you've said in your post, your 4 years away from school represents an impressive record of achievement that certainly won't keep you out of law school

Oh, and by the way, what qualifies as a "non-traditional" applicant is mostly subjective; that said, I personally do not think that applying at the age of 26 makes you non-trad. Usually, the label is reserved for applicants who are over 30.

Good luck!

Her

[lsatopocalypse]

Nikki,

Thanks for your response, it was very encouraging. One more thing, since my GPA isn't stellar but I achieved it with a very heavy course( It will have taken me just 3 years to graduate ) load while working nearly full time compensate for my lower GPA? because I am shooting for some highly ranked schools? Oh, and I'm scoring mid to high 160s on practice lsat.

[Nikki Siclunov]

Hi lsatopocalypse,

Taking a heavy courseload while also working nearly full-time will definitely help put your GPA in perspective, but only if you let admissions officers know this. You should definitely include an addendum explaining the circumstances at play. Putting this on a resume will not be enough: a one-paragraph addendum explaining the circumstances that lowered your GPA is mandatory in your case.

Glad I could help!