<p>its a bit early for this question but i was just curious...
for students who attends a top undergrad university, particularly HYPSM, how much of an advantage is there in the law school admissions process?</p>
<p>I ask because i will be studying physics or engineering at Princeton next year, and i was looking at the courses available. I really want to take a bunch of very challenging classes especially in Math and Physics, however taking honors math classes at a Place like princeton will surely bring down my GPA. Still, im not sure i want to study law, and i know i will enjoy these challenging classes. Will a low GPA with really impressive classes cripple my chances of making the top law schools? Does it make a difference that i would be studying patent law? Should I just take easier classes and try to get a 3.8 gpa and keep my options open...because with princeton's fight against grade inflastion that will be quite difficult.</p>
<p>They don't care very much about how hard your classes are. Engineering pretty much puts you at a disadvantage to begin with. To think you'd get a 3.8 GPA in engineering to begin with is humorous. Never assume you will be above average unless you have good reason to think so.</p>
<p>haha... im fully aware of that... i mean to say that its possible to take an easier major and get a 3.8. I know that anyone studying physics or engineering or even math will very rarely have a high gpa, nor am i planning on switching to english or philosophy so that i can get a higher gpa. I was just wondering if a 3.8 with an easy major leaves more doors open, than a 3 with really hard classes... and i guess the answer is a resounding yes</p>
<p>Even outside of engineering, a 3.8 at Princeton is very difficult to attain.</p>
<p>Given your undergraduate situation, I think it would be best for you just to take courses that satisfy your intellectual curiosity. Don't be too worried about difficulty or ease, just try to learn! While it would be great to have a high GPA, don't let that be the first priority of your education; let the first priority be to learn.</p>
<p>At any rate, if one takes courses in which he/she is interested, the better grades are a side-effect.</p>
<p>At the highest, I'd guess that a technical major maybe gets you a .05 to .1 GPA benefit, if that. They might not even quantify technical majors. Anything more than that is probably wishful thinking.</p>
<p>For law school options, it will make a difference, but not as much as you think. A 3.5 might prevent you from attending Harvard Law School, but if you just want to attend a top 14 institution, then there is no problem. </p>
<p>Also, as you may already know, the grade deflation is pervasive at Princeton. I've heard about some killer philosophy courses there! At a place like Princeton, though, I would be most interested in taking advantage of the stellar faculty and courses available.</p>