<p>If I'm looking to attend a top law school, is at an absolute rejection to see that I attended a community college first and then a state university?</p>
<p>If I got high A's in every one of my classes and got a good LSAT score, would I be considered less than a Duke graduate who got mostly A's some B's and the same LSAT score?</p>
<p>If you get an A in every one of your classes, and a good LSAT score, and then apply to top law schools, I would expect them to give serious consideration to your application. It's true, though, that the top law schools offer admission to a small percentage of those who apply, and the pool of applicants to those schools is already highly self-selected.</p>
<p>Maybe if I gave more information:</p>
<p>I just took a test called the CHSPE and I passed it. This gives me the equivalent to a HS diploma in California, which then gives me the privilege to attend a community college. And then obviously I transfer. . .</p>
<p>If this was explained to them, would they consider otherwise? "I'm looking to get into my career as soon as possible and so I took an alternate route in getting my undergraduate degree which explains why I didn't go to a top school and instead state."</p>
<p>Hope that makes sense. . .</p>
<p>why submit yourself to a lower academic standard for two years? Wouldn't this hinder your academic/intellectual progress? </p>
<p>I did attend a community college as a dual-enrollment while in high school. I now attend a decent (bottom of the) top-tier college. There is an IMMENSE difference between the two. I would not limit myself--unless you have unique financial needs that require you to pay for your education WHILE working full time. Just my two cents.</p>
<p>Since you go to school in CA, right?, I think it won't make much of a difference if you transfer to UC-Berkeley or LA. Otherwise, those two years (of taking the path of least resistance) are likely to raise questions--and while you can seek to answer some potential questions, never know what excuse a person may use to dismiss your file. In other words, why take an unnecessary risk.</p>
<p>If this was explained to them, would they consider otherwise? "I'm looking to get into my career as soon as possible and so I took an alternate route in getting my undergraduate degree which explains why I didn't go to a top school and instead state."</p>
<p>I don't think most law schools will like that excuse. If you had an excuse that said "I had to pay entirely for my own educations while maintaining a job because I had no other way to pay for college" or "I really had to stay as close to home as possible because it was a troubling time for my parents and they needed me" or even "I messed up in high school, CC was my second chance and I cashed in," all of those are MUCH better excuses than "I just want to get through this school crap as quick as possible so I can get paid."</p>
<p>Honestly, I think you'd probably be better to not leave high school but instead take dual-enrollment courses or a lot of AP courses and transfer those credits to college so you can graduate a year early from college.</p>
<p>It doesn't affect it as long as you transfer to a 4 year university after two years and earn your degree from there. All grades will be equally weighed.</p>
<p>As a CC transfer, I obviously have an interest in this, but here is my take:</p>
<p>How they view your stay at a CC will depend on your reasons for going there: it will likely be viewed in a positive light if you tell them your circumstances (lack of financial aid, complete turn-around from high school) than if you simply go to a CC for a year or two and don't explain why. Especially if you transfer to a very good school, I think law schools have every right to know why you attended that CC first, just as your undergraduate degree granting college does.</p>
<p>I certainly wouldn't leave it unexplained, and I'll note that there are a decent number of students from very low-ranked universities (might as well be CCs) that score well on the LSAT, have a good GPA, and get into top law schools.</p>
<p>"I'll note that there are a decent number of students from very low-ranked universities (might as well be CCs) that score well on the LSAT, have a good GPA, and get into top law schools."</p>
<p>Low-ranked institutions do have a formal application process; community colleges are open enrollment. That is a significant different. </p>
<p>"All grades will be equally weighed."</p>
<p>True. LSDAS does. However, don't expect to get into the trinity (HYS) because you have a 4.0. Check their websites to get an idea of how many people get rejected with 4.0s -- not encouraging, I know.</p>
<p>I have to agree with Brand_182 on this one. Don't forget that CC is only one or two years of undergraduate. If an applicant can overwhelmingly succeed in both a CC and a top university (and produce high LSAT scores) then I cant see why the LS would hold attending a CC against them. HYS being the exceptions of course.....</p>
<p>
[quote]
Low-ranked institutions do have a formal application process
[/quote]
</p>
<p>It is really dependent on the school. The majority of the ~3000 colleges in the US accept something like 80+% of applicants, making them not much harder to get into than a community college. </p>
<p>Even in the case of HYS, I have seen exceptions, though they are obviously going to be less common. OP, you should check out lawschoolnumbers.com and look through some of the profiles of accepted students to HYS and other top law schools to get an idea of the variety of students they accept.</p>
<p>"Even in the case of HYS, I have seen exceptions"</p>
<p>You said it yourself: "exceptions". Expecting one's application, one's plea for admissions is silly, absurd & quite frankly idiotic. If every person hopes to become an exception, many are bound to be disillusioned--except the exceptions, the vast majority will continue to be the "norm". </p>
<p>Sorry, but bad advice is bad advice. </p>
<p>"The majority of the ~3000 colleges"</p>
<p>That is irrelevant. That's why any person who presumably has the "intellect ability" to make it into a "TOP" law school should aim for a top college--not to mention the fact that these schools usually have better aid packages, better opportunities for research and for those who fit the mold provide them with a much challenging and enjoyable experience. </p>
<p>Why in the world would a person assume they can "ACE" the LSAT if they do poorly on the SAT? Why would they assume they can ace the LSAT if they are not willing to test themselves at a good college? </p>
<p>Again, bad advice is bad advice.</p>
<p>I would rather not post that to give poor advice. This of course presupposes that I would be able to differentiate the good from from...and that I would care.</p>
<p>Readers should keep in mind that just like CCs this forum, CC (no pun intended or the lack thereof), is open to everyone--not all posters have an iota of an idea re the law school admissions process besides what they read here, after which they re-post the same, diluted, information. They re-reply to a question they themselves may have asked AND received nothing but a poor answer--and yet do not know it...or realize what they are doing.</p>
<p>Well said, Wildflower.</p>
<p>thanks, Sally. Coming from you it's really flattering..esp. given the number of typos and ommitted words here and there, hehe...sigh...all nighters.</p>
<p>Do you guys think any of the top 10 law schools would accept someone who went to community college even if their academic record is flawless and they get a good LSAT? I guess the high LSAT would bring up questions as to why one would go to a CC? </p>
<p>Thanks everyone, and yes, I ALWAYS consider that on public forums, anyone can answer and so I take answers into logical perspective. Thanks again.</p>
<p>The way I've heard it from one of my profs is that law schools fill up half their class with those with high GPA's and LSAT scores...the other half is then considered based on the needs of the school (and what they want their new class to be like).</p>
<p>Also, law schools don't want you to fail your first year (because that lowers their rankings...and law schools pretty much do everything keeping in mind their ranking) So if a law school does admit you, they beleive that you can do well in law school, even if you went to a CC and state university...and besides, LSAT scores are a good indicator for how well you do in law school (which is why Georgetown double weights LSAT scores) so if can do really well on the LSAT, law schools know that you have a good chance of doing well.</p>
<p>All the top 10 law schools accept people who went to community college AS LONG AS they transferred and graduated from a 4 year college. It WILL NOT matter that you went to CC b4 u transferred and graduated from a 4 year. If you don't graduate from a 4 year...good luck, but it wont happen. </p>
<p>Y/H/S have no problem taking people who went to CC for the first 2 years, however you better have a 3.85+ and 174+</p>
<p>"take answers into logical perspective"</p>
<p>you know, sometimes it's not about logic--but insight.</p>
<p>"Y/H/S have no problem taking people who went to CC for the first 2 years, however you better have a 3.85+ and 174+"</p>
<p>And you know this, as a solid fact, because...? I mean, if you have worked for admissions at one of these three law schools I'll be the first person to jump like a crazy baboon while reading your posts--for somehow I don't think that's the case...</p>
<p>Did you know that NASA takes people from community colleges, too? So do Wall Street and the White House.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The way I've heard it from one of my profs is that law schools fill up half their class with those with high GPA's and LSAT scores...the other half is then considered based on the needs of the school (and what they want their new class to be like).
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I think that your professor was merely taking an educated guess at what law schools may do behind closed doors when selecting their entering classes. I have a very difficult time believing that law schools completely disregard GPA and LSAT scores for any candidate for admission. I wouldn't count on it too much if you were hoping that somehow Harvard Law was going to overlook your 2.8 and 156.</p>
<p>Wildflower, I dont understand your animosity towards CCs. I am attending one right now for a multitude of reasons, none of which have anything to do with the fact that it is "easier"</p>
<p>Not all who decide to matriculate at CC are the bottom 50% of an HS class. I have had the opportunity to take classes with 40-year old mothers, master's students, and those who have jobs (and degrees) but want enrichment. And trust me, we also learn and are challenged by the academics.</p>
<p>And why wouldn't a LS want somebody who went to a CC? If the student is as academically qualified as his counterpart (GPA, LSAT-wise) then going to a CC, if explained correctly by the applicant, can show the growth, strength, and motivation for a student who wasnt able to make to a "real" college the first time around for whatever reasons.</p>
<p>Wildflower - the OP's question:</p>
<p>
[quote]
If I'm looking to attend a top law school, is at an absolute rejection to see that I attended a community college first and then a state university?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Of course, this is dependent on what one considers a "top law school," but in general getting into a top law school (as in top 30) should not be impossible or even impractical for one who first attended a CC. My statement about "exceptions" was referring to HYS, which are not a top law school but the top law schools.</p>