<p>Hi , I am a Hispanic high school student and as along as I can recall, I wanted to be a lawyer.From the posts that I am reading , I kind of feel discourged to become a lawyer. I plan on attending the Catholic University of America( DC is great ) or Cornell University.I just wanted advice or a game plan in pursuit to attend a top 15 or top 10 law school.</p>
<p>It's rather simple: 1) get the closest to a 4.0 GPA. 2) Ace the LSAT (165+). </p>
<p>For now, worry about #1. After your sophomore year worry about #2 and start researching law schools. In the interim, also read as much as possible. Good luck.</p>
<p>WF</p>
<p>Ps. I would choose Cornell (but beware of their grade deflation).</p>
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Ps. I would choose Cornell
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<p>Why? Only the basis of prestige?</p>
<p>From reading these blogs everyday, I have become much more skeptical of prestige at the undergraduate level. If you have a high enough GPA and LSAT score, you have a good shot at t14 Law Schools regardless of the prestige of your undergraduate college. Why not save lots of money by going to a college with less prestige?</p>
<p>I would choose Catholic University since you seem to like Washington D.C. Perhaps, GTown or GWU as alternatives. (if you can get into Cornell you can probably get into GTown and certainly GWU)</p>
<p>"Why? Only the basis of prestige?"</p>
<p>Uh, no, because it is a great school. If you choose to change your mind later on (which many people do) and not go to law school, a Cornell degree will open more doors, IMO.</p>
<p>Thanks 4 your help.</p>
<p>Do you think that undergrad prestige plays an important role in law school admissions ? Do you think that , if I take a year off after college to become a paralegal, I would have a better chance of getting into law school?</p>
<p>No & No. What matters most is a high GPA and high LSAT score. After that, other factors may give you brownie points. So, I wouldn't base my decision on those minor factors.</p>
<p>The year off to become a paralegal is irrelevant. The only real benefit is if that year will help you decide whether to go to law school or not--it could save you a lot of money and future headaches. Become a paralegal because you think it'll help you decide and because of the exposure to law it'll give you. It won't help your case when it comes to admissions. If I was you, and I knew I want to be a lawyer, I would not become a paralegal. </p>
<p>By the way, stay away from paralegal programs. I understand that top firms recruit people from good schools and train them themselves. so, I would not spend an extra year at the local community college; especially not after Cornell. You could be doing something much more productive!</p>
<p>So for law school admissions the main point is to get a good GPA and good LSAT scores?</p>