<p>POIH, you say that one’s chances of getting in are “negligible” if not in the top 5 or at a name-brand prep school. By this logic, I had no chance of getting in. It’s not class rank alone–you have to show academic/intellectual excellence. A high class rank is a great way to do that, but there are others. If you’ve demonstrated your academic capabilities one way or another, it doesn’t hurt you to be out of the top 5.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Undergrad schools, to my knowledge, generally don’t know which applicants are planning to pursue law school. If a student wrote in essays that he/she wanted to be a lawyer, then I’m sure schools would look very favorably on forensics experience to corroborate that. However, unless the school offers “pre-law” as a major AND requires students to apply for a specific major, they’re not going to be able to look at an app and say that this student wants to be a lawyer. Stanford, for one, doesn’t even ask students to state their major on the application.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes; that’s true, leadership is good. Not absolutely required, but probably a huge boost. There are lots of leadership positions besides the two you named, though.</p></li>
<li><p>Harvard recommends three years of history, Stanford “at least three”, and Princeton “at least two”. (I couldn’t find Yale’s info.) None of them ask for more history based on what field of study you plan to pursue.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Being that the acceptance rate for Ivy League is so small, are there any suggestions as to what clubs/classes I could join/take to enhance my chances of being admitted?</p>
<p>Ugafan8x, if there were certain clubs / classes you could join or take to enhance your chances, don’t you think EVERYONE would do so and therefore there wouldn’t be an advantage? Do what you like, be what you are. </p>
<p>Why, specifically, are you so into your college being an Ivy League? Ivies are just 8 of some of the top colleges in the country.</p>
<p>I’ve had an internship at the District Attorney’s office since 7th grade and I got invited to do mock trial this year so hopefully I’m headed in the right direction.</p>
<p>LMAO 7th graders work in District Attorney offices? </p>
<p>I think you’re fine, and as for clubs I think you should consider something like debate, or a speech kinda thing if you’re interested in law. Also maybe politics.</p>
<p>Has anyone mentioned that Law School admissions is nothing like undergraduate admissions? Firstly, the most important thing about getting into law school is your LSAT score.</p>
<p>Also, someone reproduced on CC the list alma maters for a recent HLS admittees. It included multiple admittees from public colleges (not just U of California, Michigan, Virginia or Wisconsin), Historically Black Colleges, various and assorted small liberal arts colleges, and about 1/2 dozen alumni of the City University of New York!!!</p>
<p>So many of you are simply missing the point here. Joining whatever clubs you guys are listing WILL NOT RAISE YOUR CHANCES OF ADMISSION! Joining clubs that you love, whatever that might be, and becoming really involved in these clubs, and possibly obtaining leadership positions, will. It doesn’t matter what activities you do, just get involved in what you love! By specifying which clubs to join you are essentially saying DON’T follow your passions, just do x y and z. In all likelihood, if you join activities you don’t enjoy, you’re not going to excel at them, and in four years you are just going to have the same laundry list of activities that every other HYPSM hopeful has. But if you join activities that you, personally, love, you’re going to make the extra effort to shine at whatever you are doing, and in four years the admissions committee will see that. </p>
<p>Basically, just do whatever you love. This isn’t a ploy to get you off of CC and make you forget about college, it’s actually the best advice to follow in order to get into these top schools. Just do what you love, have fun, and in four years that will shine through in your application.</p>
<p>The area that I live in is kind of crowded so a new high school is being built. I will be required to go there my sophmore year (2010). Would you recommend me go to the new school or hardship to the same one that I’m about to go to?</p>