<p>For quite some time I've been pretty set on going to a school like Harvard or Stanford for Law School. If I keep my grades up and do well on LSATS, I think I could make 25/75 range for the key stats. I'm a second year at Dartmouth but I'm worried about a few upcoming decisions I have to make. </p>
<p>Should I be taking really easy classes here and there with high medians that might get me A's, or should I be challenging myself a bit more? From what it seemed, Harvard won't care as much about "details" like medians of non-major classes (I'm doing econ which is already a semi-difficult major).</p>
<p>Next year, I have the opportunity to study abroad. If I studied a language (Spanish in Mexico), I would receive GPA credit and most likely do extremely well. I could also go to Oxford on an exchange, but I'd be taking a lighter courseload (2 instead of 3 courses), be taking more difficult classes where they grade more harshly, and the classes wouldn't translate to my GPA. Both have their benefits but it doesn't seem like putting Oxford on my transcript would do much for law schools.</p>
<p>How deep should I dive, academically? I have the option of doing research assistantships and even am considering doing a Fulbright after I graduate in economic development studies somewhere, but I'm not sure whether it'll be worth it or helpful in any way to the application process. Will they want me to have worked in a law firm?</p>
<p>Its really a balancing act: I just don't know which things to pick up and which to set down. I don't have to start applying to Law schools for another year and a half, so there's still plenty of time for change.</p>
<p>I think you've read all my posts, so I don't feel the need to repeat myself. </p>
<p>Dartmouth is one of those schools that refuses to post its prelaw admissions data online, instead they keep that info in hardcopy in Career Services - I recommend you go there and see exactly what it takes to get into HLS. </p>
<p>You can look at the Yale prelaw data and see what sort of stats they needed to get into HLS.</p>
<p>Thanks a bunch, I just sent an email to career services to get that info, but I'm still sort of lost with the extracurricular advice. Are the decisiosn that I'm citing even significantly relevant to my acceptance.</p>
<p>I would say make sure your grades are high, first and foremost. They may or may not let you in if your classes are easy, and your grades are high, but they'll almost certainly ding you if your grades are low, regardless of class difficulty. I'd therefore make sure most of my grades are high, and mix up some easy classes with the more challenging ones. </p>
<p>I'd think that a fullbright would indeed be helpful. Also, from what I hear, Oxford, etc., generally grade easier than american schools. (If the grades don't transfer, I guess it doesn't matter.)</p>
<p>Ultimately, you'll also need to ace your LSAT. Take a logic course if you get a chance, and prep for a good amount of time if you really want a shot at those schools. Obviously, there's rarely a guarantee at that level.</p>