I think you should add "lots and lots of time and patience" to the list.
I know that most people wouldn't spread the app process out over as long a period as I have, but it's taken an enormous amount of stress out of the process for me. I read so many posts about stressing out over the timing of recommendations, the processing of transcripts, etc--these are issues I've never had to worry about.
If you are a college junior or senior thinking about law school but planning on taking a year or so off...GET YOUR ACADEMIC RECOMMENDATIONS NOW!!! And then send your trascript in like March or April, when nobody else is applying.
Think long and hard about your LSAT prep and PS writing strategy. Is there anything you can do to limit the amount of stuff going on in your life while you prep for the LSAT? DO IT. It's amazing how quickly the weeks before the exam slip by. If you'll still be in school when it's time to take the fall LSAT, then start studying for it in like, JUNE. That would be a good time to start thinking about PS topics.
I know my numbers don't give me much street cred, but I've been on this board for a year and a half and seen damn near everything.