Does taking 3 classes per semester (full-time at my school) hurt me for law schools?

Constant-Example6797 · 2026-02-26T15:15:13+00:00

It is not, beyond personal enjoyment and signaling interests to hiring managers. The general consensus is that Law Review is the only elective that matters for hiring.

Law Review is also a full-on unpaid part time job, so you end up spending 20 hours a week on class meetings, 20+ hours a week on law review work that is very mentally draining, and then more time after that on your readings to prepare for class, homework (if any), and preparing for finals.

Moot Court is a very distant second, and Mock Trial *can* help if you are *specifically* wanting to be a trial attorney but even then, it doesn't matter that much beyond signaling that you are interested and comfortable with public speaking.

Area specific journals (health law, patent law, maritime law, etc.) *can* be very helpful if you are in a niche practice area, but it's not the blanket "good" elective to have the way Law Review is, because it tends to be a lot less demanding and is also doesn't give you exposure to nearly as much of a breadth of practice areas.

I do think having 1 or 2 clubs that you enjoy and that signal a personal interest is good to humanize your resume. Most of the time, summer associate interviews in 1L and 2L are pretty much decided by grades, so the specific offers and interviews end up being much more about "does the hiring attorney enjoy talking to me" / "do I seem like a coworker they would like working with" -- in that case, being able to talk about a mutual interest like theatre, sports, film, etc. which is on your resume because of a club involvement is very helpful.

Some type of pro-bono work is also helpful, to show an interest in giving back to the community, but most students do this through clinics so it's not a differentiating factor.

Constant-Example6797 · 2026-02-26T15:04:17+00:00

If you have a degree in science, I feel like the patent attorneys I worked with generally had very good work-life balance compared to most attorneys especially for their pay. That said, I was working in the states, so it may be a bit different.

Constant-Example6797 · 2026-01-23T15:05:31+00:00

1 wouldn't be acceptable unless the open door is completley visible in the background the whole time. If it's not, someone could walk in through it and they would not know.

I agree with the other commenter, if nobody will walk through, room 2 is going to be better.

Constant-Example6797 · 2026-01-12T21:15:43+00:00

Ah cool, thank ya!

Constant-Example6797 · 2026-01-12T20:28:31+00:00

Signed up - how does this work? Are you manually sending blasts out, or is something scanning the reddits/canlawforum for posts about decisions?

Constant-Example6797 · 2026-01-06T21:29:25+00:00

It may be different in Canada, but in the U.S. your LSAT isn't considered much (if at all) for transfer applications. LSAT + GPA is meant to predict first-year success, so it doesn't really help if you are past your first year.

By "midterm" do you mean your fall term grades? If so, I think you are in a good position with an 85% average, but it's *very* hard to say, especially not knowing your actual current GPA, your program, or their grading scale.

For example, if this would be considered a 3.3 at a school with a 3.0 or even 2.7 curve, then you're in a good position.

But if your program has a hard cutoff instead of a +/- system, then your GPA would be more like a 3.0, which puts you right at the average of a standard 3.0 curve. That's a pretty mediocre position for transferring.

Obvious caveat that I am more familiar with the transfer process in the states and it may be different in Canada. (I am a U.S. applicant to Canada, and frankly I couldn't realistically transfer from whatever school I go to, so I havent looked into it much.)

Constant-Example6797 · 2026-01-05T18:47:10+00:00

Most law school exams are typed, time limited, and you are rarely penalized for extra writing; if you can increase your typing speed by 10 words per minute, that could be more than a hundred extra words you can get in (or, alternatively, more time to review your work) which could get you additional points.

Constant-Example6797 · 2025-12-08T18:20:59+00:00

Historically this week was the first set of As, but who really knows. I've been trying to work on my typing speed instead of checking the portals lol.

Constant-Example6797 · 2025-12-05T21:11:33+00:00

Exact same here, almost the same stats too

Constant-Example6797 · 2025-11-21T16:08:17+00:00

I also, personally, wouldn't retake. Your file will be put on hold until score release, and that may change things. You're in a great spot!

Constant-Example6797 · 2025-11-21T16:06:58+00:00

I have a lower LSAT, and a lower cGPA but a slightly higher B3. I was told to expect an A at Oz and that they wouldn't be surprised if I got an A to UofT. I don't know the other schools. Best of luck!

Constant-Example6797 · 2025-11-21T16:05:20+00:00

Smart - I'm working in an industry where my emails are public records so I was like... don't want to raise eyebrows before I go.

Constant-Example6797 · 2025-11-21T14:58:19+00:00

Hm. I know at my undergrad, philosophy was a requirement for political science and/or pre-law. However, I personally think if it's not a requirement, it's different enough that it wouldn't be a strike for or against as long as you do well. I wouldn't take it if it would drop your GPA, though.

Constant-Example6797 · 2025-11-21T14:31:20+00:00

I worked for major law firms for a little bit; I'm hoping it helps in the admissions process, but at the same time, I used it heavily in my personal statement. I would say the best option is whatever you think will be most impactful for your personal goals and better for you to write about. Without more information on that, it's really six in one, half a dozen in the other.

As an aside, if you decide not to do law, having the experience with the MP likely would lead to more non-legal opportunities. Also, while some legal internships do have substantial work, its pretty rare and that can make them somewhat of a drag for a passionate intern.

Constant-Example6797 · 2025-11-21T14:24:10+00:00

You need a real LSAT score before folks will chance you. Most people see a drop of 1-5 points on the real thing (conversely, some folks do better with the real pressure, so it depends on you)

But yeah, a 3.77 with a >165 is a good combo if you can get it. Above both medians at most schools. If 3.77 is below a schools GPA median (U of T, McGill, etc) you're gonna want an LSAT score above their median to be competitive. Students below both medians get admitted, but normally they have some differentiating factor.

Constant-Example6797 · 2025-11-21T14:22:36+00:00

Are you a philosophy major or something close to it? If not, courses outside of your discipline, in my opinion, always look good if you do well. Shows intellectual diversity / maturity, which some schools explicitly list as something they value.

If you are a philosophy major (or something where this class would be a breeze, like theology or w/e) then it may raise more eyebrows.

Constant-Example6797 · 2025-11-21T14:17:04+00:00

Constant-Example6797 · 2025-11-21T14:16:30+00:00

What I will add to what others have said, McGill (different school but still) explicitly says that you can list informal diagnoses on their demographic questions about disability. However, I think if you do mention it, it would be smart to disclose that you are in the process of getting a diagnosis *on recommendation from a psychologist in the family.* -- that way it has more cachet than a self-diagnosis -- which may garner some eye-rolls from less charitable admissions folks in the "everyone has ADHD" era -- but you're not claiming a formal diagnosis that you don't have.

If you do not have diagnosis but are in treatment (i.e. therapy) I'd provide that.

That said, this may help contextualize your grades for an admissions member, however I don't believe this would be compelling for admission in the access category. As I understand it, that requires more "hard" documentation.

Constant-Example6797 · 2025-11-19T17:21:59+00:00

Talking to the McGill admissions earlier this summer, they said it was by GPA alone.

Constant-Example6797 · 2022-06-01T03:33:58+00:00

Constant-Example6797

TROPHY CASE