<p>I know that I want to be a lawyer and my dream is to go to either Haravrd or Yale Law School. I havent started college yet but does anyone have any tips that would help me get into my dream law schools? I obviously know that you need good grades and good LSAT scores. What I am asking for is more along the lines of clubs to join...I know I want to continue Mock Trial.... and also maybe some internships that I should defintely look out for during my undergrad years. Thanks!! BTW/ I am a hispanic male from California( I know its WAY to early to be thinking about Law School but it is really exciting)</p>
<p>Some people will say that it's too early to start thinking about Law School. But I firmly belive that seriously thinking about a career path as a high school and young college student is entirely appropriate. Learning about Law School is more fruitful than sitting on the couch and playing video games like many students do.</p>
<p>I agree with some comments that have been made on this board before about Yale Law School -- Before going to college, it is simply unrealistic to think about attending Yale Law School. It's so incredibly difficult to gain admittance (and somewhat arbitrary) that you may simply be setting yourself up for disappointment. This probably applies to Harvard Law School as well, but less so considering that it's more number based and less selective generally.</p>
<p>With that said, you do have the asset of URM status. This will definitely help with law school admissions. Basically, if you get a really high LSAT score and a high GPA as well, then you will be very attractive to even the top law schools like Yale. I'm not sure any particular EC would help you case that much, maybe Law Journal or Debate..but probably more fruitful is simply learning more about Law School to make sure it's right for you, maybe an internship at a law firm would help you with this. LSAT and GPA do the rest, I think.</p>
<p>one word:</p>
<p>LEADERSHIP</p>
<p>in order to show who you are as a human being and how you stand out from the rest, they look at your leadership skills. Think about joining Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps or if not that a Cadet Program. Believe me, they want to see how you have changed and adapted because of the skills you accquired as a leader. Not to say that this is the only thing that will get you in to college, keeping an good GPA along with good test scores is also critical; however most admission officers love to see your involvement within the community and become the leaders of that program. I strongly recommend becoming a cadet within the Civil Air Patrol, the United States Air Force Auxiliary. Its a volunteer program for people of all ages. Its not enlisting, and you'll never see war. Its just a program for all people to volunteer and show leadership. Take it from me, Im a Cadet Colonel.</p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>^^^Well, so much for a partial opinion...</p>
<p>Quite honestly, have near-perfect GPA and LSAT scores and you are in at pretty much any law school--being an URM that could include HYS.</p>
<p>I don't think our uber-wise cadetster realize the OP is inquirying about law school--NOT college. Sigh.</p>
<p>What URM and HYS?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Basically, if you get a really high LSAT score and a high GPA as well, then you will be very attractive to even the top law schools like Yale. I'm not sure any particular EC would help you case that much, maybe Law Journal or Debate..but probably more fruitful is simply learning more about Law School to make sure it's right for you, maybe an internship at a law firm would help you with this. LSAT and GPA do the rest, I think.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>That is incorrect; Yale's admissions might be a little arbitrary, but that in no way means they randomly select from the enormous pool of 3.85+, 170+ applications they receive. ECs definitely matter, but not the typical ECs that one would join. ECs in which the applicant has demonstrated signficant advancement and leadership go a long way. ECs which are academically oriented, and demonstrate the applicant's penchant for scholarly activity are very helpful.</p>
<p>Note that Yale Law School is one of the few, if not the only, that has professors reviewing and deciding on applications. Professors like to pick applicants with the same intellectual disposition. This preference means that photocopying for Hale and Dorr during a summer is not nearly as helpful as, say, having articles published in Philosophical Review, Ethics, and Synthese. </p>
<p>It is not impossible to publish. Just work hard.</p>
<p>That is not to say that publishing is a sufficient, or even a necessary condition for admissions into Yale Law School. I am merely arguing that activities demonstrating a penchant for academia are more likely to have an effect than your typical EC or summer job.</p>
<p>nspeds is right. YLS is the Law School for scholars.</p>