Paving a path for Law; help out an aspiring attorney, please.

Graduate School Law School
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<p>I have always considered law as a potential career since eighth grade. Yes, it was serious. I wasn't one of those kids who couldn't pick an interest, and stuck with law. I interned at a medium-sized law firm in New York City, actively participated in my school's Mock Trial and Moot Court team, among other Mock Trial competitions outside of school. On top of that, I took a law course at the University of Chicago during my junior year in High School, and I won the mock trial there as well.</p>

<p>I am not trying to boast, or show off. I am proving that I truly wish to make something of myself in the field of law. I even considered other fields (business, doctor, psychology, professor, writer, actor, swimmer, etc.) but I ended up back with Law. I loved it too much to let it go. Everything else is placed on the "back-burner." I will dabble in business through the stock market, or through corporate law. I will write as a hobby, and continue to swim throughout college, and recreationally. As for acting... I really enjoy it, but I cannot envision myself making a career out of it. I'm not willing to take that risk.</p>

<p>I am graduating High School this year, and most likely I will end up at the University of Michigan for my freshman year. I have the option to transfer to Georgetown University - with a guaranteed admission, as long as I retain a certain GPA; and, I'm willing to spend $120.00 on application fees, besides Georgetown - Stanford University, and University of Chicago. Who knows, maybe I can make it into a better school?</p>

<p>Or, perhaps, should I attend the United States Military Academy at West Point?</p>

<p>My short-term goal is to get into Stanford Law School, Harvard Law School, Columbia Law School, and the like. After that, to get recruited by a big, big law firm. Hopefully, one of the best. Which route is the best for me?</p>

<p>Note: I did apply to West Point, for other reasons than to just furnish my resume. I would be happy going there, OR a great school like Georgetown U, and especially Stanford U.</p>

<p>I need some guidance on setting a path for success in my legal profession.</p>

<p>You're constructive advice is appreciated.</p>

<p>Thanks,</p>

<p>Kyle</p>

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<p>I am not clear on your post. You are a high school senior going to college in fall? You are likely going to Mich but have some "option to transfer" to Georgetown "with guaranteed admission" if you pay "application fees"? Or you might attend Army? And besides Georgetown, there is Stanford or Chicago? It is May, and if you are a senior going in fall, by now you should have chosen your college, accepted the offer of admission, and know where you are going. Also, I have never heard of Georgetown giving a high school senior some guaranteed option to transfer there later if you first go to Mich. Thus, explanation is needed because otherwise this looks like a invalid post. If you go to any of the schools you list, other than Army, you will have about the same chance from any of those schools to get into Harv, Colum, or Stan as long as you have a very high college GPA and LSAT score. If you go Army, graduate with high GPA, do your four years of service, score very high on the LSAT and apply after those four years, you will actually have a somewhat better chance of admission than someone with equal credentials just coming out of Mich, Stan, UChic, or Georgetown, because the law schools will consider your four years of military service as a plus.</p>

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<p>That was all I needed to know. Thanks.</p>

<p>To clarify my post:</p>

<p>I have a spot for Georgetown next year; all I need to do is apply next year, with a good college GPA. But, while I am at it, I decided to apply to "better" schools (Stanford U, and University of Chicago).</p>

<p>So my options after freshman year in University of Michigan is: West Point, Georgetown (with the necessary GPA), or Stanford/University of Chicago (if they accept me).</p>

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<p>Like drusba said: your post doesn't make much sense.</p>

<p>In any case. The schools you mentioned are all fine institutions; you will get a great education at any of those. </p>

<p>By the way, do you mean Mich Ann-Arbor? or a satellite campus?</p>

<p>"I did apply to West Point, for other reasons than to just furnish my resume. I would be happy going there"</p>

<p>Did you get a nomination, at least? Or an appointment? It seems to me that you are assuming one as a transfer (you would still have to do four years at the Point), which is silly -- Unless your uncle happens to be Rumsfield. And, you think "you would be happy going there"? That's just too funny. Do you have any idea of what a military career entails? In any case, WP is not your best bet for LS (speak with a few cadets, they'll confirm.) </p>

<p>In sum, here is the plan: pick a school, stick with it, take the LSAT, graduate, and go to law school.</p>

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<p>University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.</p>

<p>I have an idea of how it's like to serve in the Army. It does not seem too bad, especially entering the Armed Services from USMA (West Point).</p>

<p>What if I end up entering the business sector? (Top Business schools - Harvard, UPenn, MIT, UChicago, and the like)</p>

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<p>WP would be ideal for business, as leadership is the academy's focus. I have a few friends that have gone through the point; ironically, most of them have ended up teaching. Trust me, four years at the point will surely change your perspective of being "happy." My dad's friend, a current high ranking general, wrote his parents after his first week at the Point, "THIS IS HELL!!! Please take me out". Honestly, you have no idea of a military life unless you have experienced it -- especially as a hormone-raging teenager, when being in the military seems "cool".</p>

<p>Go to Ann Arbor and be happy; it is a great school.</p>

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<p>I need leadership skills. I personally feel that WP will turn me into a MAN, you know? I will learn, and develop new and necessary skills to succeed in today's competitive world. </p>

<p>I don't know if any other school can do that for me.</p>

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<p>Joining the Marine Corps OTS after graduating from Michigan would do just the same, if not better, as far as leadership skills. There are also myriad ways to acquire and hone leadership skills. If what you are after is the "prestige" from having attended WP, well I am afraid to inform you that you may end up regretting it. You have not been accepted anyway, right? </p>

<p>And please, if you need a school to turn you into a "man," well...no comment, actually.</p>

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<p>I have applied to the West Point Class of 2011; this is my first time applying to this school, or a military school for that matter.</p>

<p>The prestige is only a motivating factor. A factor that gave me the first impulse do investigate further. After that, it was pure interest in further developing my mind, and body. West Point was appealing.</p>

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<p>By the way, your chances of having a high GPA at WP are reduced greatly due to the overload of committments the academy will impose on you. A lower GPA might be OK for business school, but it can pretty much close the door for the most prestigious law schools. Keep that in mind as you make your choice. Good luck wherever you end up.</p>

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<p>Thank you, Wildflower. It seems I have a lot of ground to cover. I will do more extensive research into this, and I will make the best decision - I'm sure of it.</p>

<p>Your suggestions are noted. One of the best ways to figure out what to do is go to school, and see how I like it at UMich. I visited WP a few times before, and I played football with the cadets even. :) I will compare my experiences, and make a decision, both feels right, and logically sound.</p>