Advice for a rising college sophomore with a unique situation?

Graduate School Law School
1

<p>I've been considering law school for a while, and have recently decided that it may be a viable option for me. I have a bit of a unique situation, though, so bear with me.</p>

<p>I am a cadet at a senior military college. I know I want to serve in the military and, since I have not been officially contracted yet, I have been looking in to going to law school and being commissioned from there as a legal professional. I'd really like to go to a top law school, like Harvard or Yale. (As I'm sure everyone here does.)</p>

<p>I didn't do so well my freshman year. I ended the year with a 3.36 cumulative GPA - not terrible, of course, but certainly not where it needs to be if I'm shooting for the ivy leagues. A large part of this, I would hope any admissions committee would acknowledge, is that a freshman cadet's life is essentially a living hell (comparable to a year long boot camp) with minimal time for academics. (I also took hard science classes, such as engineering chemistry and principles of nuclear engineering.) I have also vastly improved my study techniques, and I know that I will be able to manage 4.0's from now on. Factoring in the occasional B, I've calculated that I should be able to bring my GPA up to at least a 3.8.</p>

<p>But I digress. My question is, what is your advice for a rising college sophomore looking to get into top law schools? When would you recommend starting LSAT prep? From what I understand, ECs aren't a huge factor in admissions to law schools, but do you think being a cadet would improve my chances? Any advice or anecdotes you can offer are greatly appreciated.</p>

2

<p>by my quick math, you will need straight A’s for the last three years to end up with a 3.8+; an “occasional B” won’t cut it, and that is the ONLY advice you need right now.</p>

3

<p>ECs are important to Yale and Stanford, not so much Harvard. Take the easiest classes you possibly can to guarantee you get A’s the next few years, and if you are able try to take summer courses at a community college that offers A+'s so you can boost your LSAC GPA. Never let a professor give you a B.</p>

4

<p>My advice would be to get the best grades you’re capable of getting, whatever that may be.</p>

<p>Do you have active duty during the summer? That could affect my recommendation about when to study for the LSAT.</p>

5

<p>A bit repetitive, but LSAT and GPA rule, so take the above advice.</p>