What is the biggest thing law schools look for when reviewing applications?

I don't have the best gpa, but received a 165 on the LSAT. I'm just wondering what law schools look for the most? That way I know where I should be applying. I'm white and single with no kids so therefore I get no favors from affirmative action or any of that stuff.

I have to be very honest with you, there is no singular factor that is going to propel you to your legal studies. When I applied into law school, each university or college had its criteria spelled out. Some where easier to read than others.

LSAT

GPA

Personal Statement

Recommendation Letters

Those four factors were the most important factors in my law school application. I noticed that some schools wanted the LSAT score and the GPA to be very high, while others wanted my personal statement and my GPA to be exceptional. And, there were other schools that focused entirely on my personal statement and recommendation letters.

I recommend for you to go into the application of each of the schools you would like to apply to. Look for information that will give you hints about what the institution is looking for. If you can't find that there, make sure to go to their website. The law school's website will be very informative.

If you are planning on going to Ivy League schools, then you should consider all four factors to be very important. A 165 on your LSAT is pretty decent, and you shouldn't have trouble of getting into second-tier schools. This, of course, must include a good to an excellent GPA ( 3.0 and above should be fine ), an immaculate personal statement, and great recommendation letters.

To be honest, what did it for me, was the personal statement and my GPA. In the end, I got into 2 out of 5 tier 1 schools and majority of the tier 2 schools. If your GPA is lower than what I mentioned than you should consider bringing up the point in your personal statement. You still have great chances. I wish you all the best!