<p>Hello internet
I'd like to hear any suggestions you have for me in the five years I have before applying to the top law schools (as in Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Columbia, NYU, UPenn, Duke). Be aware that my stats in early high school were extremely low, but I like to think I've made huge improvements in recent years. Perhaps a significant enough improvement to be accepted into an amazing law school. I used to be lazy and didn't really show up to classes throughout high school (despite taking the most academically rigorous courses available) but I changed my tune when I was 16. I hope that actions I take from first year uni onwards will increase my chances of fulfilling my dreams. I now plan to study environmental law and human rights law.</p>
<p>If you'd take a moment to read over my activities and grades for high school and first year of uni, I'd sincerely appreciate any feedback you have. What my pros and cons were and what I should work on or drop during my undergrad years. Please tell me your honest opinion. I know I'm not very smart but if I work really hard, I think I might possibly have a shot. If not, I will have given everything my best anyway. :) Thank you. </p>
<p>A brief summary of my background:
School: Public
Ethnicity: Chinese
Gender: Female
Degree: Studying Science and Law
Aim: Environmental Law, Human Rights Law
Extra History/Socio-economic: Parents were first generation to attend university. They have almost retired (mainly relax all week actually), now make about 60 to 80,000/year. We live pretty simply and most of my ECs as a result have come from paying cheap student rates at school for music lessons (~$7 per half hour), my own initiative (many trips/camps/workshops etc were not advertised at school so I did my own research and applied for these because I sincerely wanted to - and believed I'd be of help in some way). Also, I've pretty much made my own decisions in terms of academics and ECs, no external pressures at all. My ECs mainly revolve around music lessons/exams, student life/eadership, environmental conferences and writing.</p>
<p>Prospective 2015:
3.9/4.0
Initiate student project under clubs/events committee
Sit singing exam
Apply for university leadership conference
Apply for international environmental conference
Maybe intern at NGO
Get into Law Part II and work for the school law journal</p>
<p>2014 (First year undergraduate):
GPA: So far I've gotten results for mid semester tests only which are worth 20% of the overall grade. I got an A for geography, A+ for psychology and an A for law
Co-Secretary of university clubs committee, 1 hr/week
Co-Regional Lead of high school engagement for student organisation, 2 hr/week
Student representative for 2 out of 4 classes, .25 hr/week
Student blogger for university, 1 hr/week
Weekly singing lessons, 2 hr/week
Journalist of national student magazine, .5 hr/week
Prospective rest of 2014: maintain A average, take two classes during summer school 2015, maybe apply for scholarships if my ECs and grades are okay
In retrospect: I loved to spend as much time out of class as possible in my first few years of high school but last year and the year before, I felt like I was missing out due to ECs...I feel I've stepped up my game this year.</p>
<p>2013 (Senior)
Sat 5 advanced classes, achieved 3 (I guess they're the equivalent to APs but do not count towards your GPA, even though the exams are beyond Senior exams...instead, if you get the grade, you get money that goes towards education at one of the universities in the country so i get a cool $2000 for the next 3 years)
GPA: ...3.5 (previous years were 3.3, 3.2 because I didn't take classwork seriously)
ECs:
Student leader of organisation, 2 hrs/week
Raised money for orphanages and fundraised to build houses abroad, 1.5 hrs/week
Selected to attend national environmental leadership conference, during holiday
Assisted university environmental group in various campaigns, 1 hr/week
Co-lead of national conference for university organisation, 2.5 hrs/week
Student leader at regional environmental conference, during holiday
Started writing for national student magazine, .5 hr/week
Published in online student magazine, now defunct, .5 hr/week
Singer in school choir, awarded silver nationally (commitment and excellence in choir award), 2 hr/week
Intermediate singing lessons, assessed as excellent in vocal report, 1 hr/week
Guitar lessons, 2 hr/week (didn't want the pressure of music exams)
geography and classical studies award</p>
<p>2012
Took advanced english, biology, classical studies, geography, calculus and normal visual arts
Presented a workshop at national environmental conference, effort overall took 1 hr/week
Represented school at regional environmental conference, during holiday
Singer in award winning school choir, awarded silver nationally, 1 hr/week
Beginner singing lessons, assessed as excellent in vocal report, 2 hr/week
Assisted animal rights group, key committee, 1 hr/week
Guitar lessons, Grade 5 with excellence, 4 hr/week
charity organisation volunteer (annual event), 6 hr/year
retail volunteer for fair trade organisation, 3 hr/week
Published in online magazine, now defunct, .5 hr/week
biology, classical studies and painting award</p>
<p>2011
Took advanced biology, chemistry, physics, geography, english, calculus and normal visual arts
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh, 3 hr/week
Began guitar lessons, achieved Excellence in Grade 4, 4 hr/week
charity organisation volunteer (annual event), 6 hr/year
local leadership programme
biology and painting award</p>
<p>2010/2009 (virtually the same ECs)
School marching band, first flute 1 hr/week (gold at competition)
Junior choir, 1 hr/week (won regional competition)
40 Hour Famine
Flute, 1 hr/week
Drama production, .5 hr/week
Netball, 3 hr/week (most improved player)</p>