<p>I have 80 credits because of APs, going into my first year of undergrad next year. I only need 120 to graduate, so i could easily graduate in a year with summer classes. I could have gotten into probably at least Cornell, but I'm going to be at the University at Buffalo. I was National Merit Scholar Finalist, will be a National AP Scholar, and got a 170 on an LSAT practice test, cold, no prep. I want to be a lawyer, and go to a top 5 law school.</p>
<p>Questions:
1) Should I transfer to a better undergrad school, then stick there a couple years, then apply to law schools?
2) Should I rush a quick major, and apply to law schools with a 4.0 from my fall semester?
3) Should I stick it out in undergrad and get multiple majors?</p>
<p>I'm making an appointment with my school's pre-law advisor, and probably will visit law school admissions offices, but I thought I'd see if there was any valuable input here.</p>
<p>what's the rush? many people look back on their college years as some of the best years of their lives. why would you want to rush past them so quickly? law school will be there waiting for you if you are still interested after spending a few years in college. </p>
<p>there are many people who apply to law school after being out of college for a couple of years or more. to be honest, i don't think that someone who flies through college just for the sake of finishing quick is going to have any advantage in the application poor -- in fact, i would guess that it might be a disadvantage.</p>
<p>college is a time for personal growth -- take advantage of that time instead of just seeing it as a step you have to get past before you go to law school.</p>
<p>If you want to get into a good law school, I'd pick option 1: transfer to a better undergrad school, then stick there a couple years, then apply to law school. </p>
<p>But, that doesn't mean that's the right decision for you. I just don't think that having multiple degrees from a marginal school is going to do anything great, and I don't think that graduating in one year with a 4.0 is going to be very impressive. I mean, it's only one year. Also, are you sure that you can graduate using all the credits you have... I know at many schools you have to take a certain number of credits at their school even if you have enough to graduate. </p>
<p>I will be graduating in 3 years, and I'm going into my second year. If you have the right reasons for getting out of undergrad, it's fine to leave early. I feel like I've experienced college life, now I'm ready to move on. I've studied abroad(and have two more semesters planned), I've partied, I pledged a sorority, I've been to football games, I've lived in a dorm. I've been a tour guide for the school and I've already been involved in research. I have two more years here: why do I need three? I feel like I'm ready to move on already and I still have two years. You might think: okay, she's not happy at her school. That's not it. I like my school, I just think that spending an extra year is a waste of money and resources. This summer I'm interning and working 8am-6pm 5 days a week and I'd take this any day over college. </p>
<p>hey,
im in a similar situation - a lot of people have been advising me to spend a little more time maturing - be it through work or through more time in undergrad before applying.<br>
in my personal opinon, you should try and transfer - just becasue you know you could do better in undergrad - which will help you not only for law school but at some level later in life.
also, what major would you pursue - and have you really looked through all of the classes? one year is awful fast (this coming from a man who is graduating in two....lol)
....so yeah, think about what you want though - if it is your dying wish to get into a top law school NOW, you probably have a decent chance numberwise - but make sure you dont regret missing out on more undergrad (i know i dont, lol)</p>
<p>Unbelieveable: It's just I don't really see a reason to stick around right now if I don't have to. It's just eating cash and time. Your point is well taken though.</p>
<p>anovice: They want 30 credits actually at UB in order for me to graduate, and since I need 40 more to graduate, it'll have to be covered.</p>
<p>justsomeguy: There's tons of majors at the school under 40 credits, surprisingly (I guess). I haven't really looked at the feasibility of doing that, and I'm guessing it would be very challenging and maybe impossible, but it's an option.</p>
<p>The consensus I'm getting from here and the other boards I posted this on is that I should probably transfer and stay at that school a couple years. I'm stil waiting for an appointment with the pre-law advisor, but that's probably the direction I'll go.</p>
<p>While you have a slew of AP courses, are they enough to fulfill all of your liberal arts requirements as well as the basic courses for your major? Having one year worth of grades under our belt is really not going to give the law schools a good picture of where you stand academically as far as doing undergraduate work. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that at schools that are more academically rigerous, the course work will indeed have more depth and breath than an AP course and more of the emphasis will be placed on thinking critically and writing cogently -2 skills which you will definitely need if you intend to go law school).</p>
<p>Another vote for just finishing up the process to go to law school is going to hurt you. Should you decide to finish early your best bet would be to work a few years then apply.</p>
<p>while law schools do like people with high numbers, a lot of places also really prize people who they think will be able to work well with others and bring something to the law school community (interesting personal experiences, leadership skills that will help them run student organizations and programs, etc.) </p>
<p>seems like the numbers won't be a problem for you, but you might want to stay in school or do something else (peace/ameri corp? teach for america? work? masters degree? travel?)...it can only help your application.</p>
<p>also, as my sister so wisely put it when i was considering spending another year in school (to do a joint degree)...if you could spend another year as a student or another year as a lawyer, why would you choose to be a lawyer? when i recounted this to the attorneys that i know, they wholeheartedly agreed. being a student/volunteer/whatever is fun...why rush?</p>
<p>Do VERY well your freshman year. Then transfer to as good a school as you can get into. Enjoy it there, take some courses outside of the normal required ones that offer to expand and enrich your experience, and THEN apply to law school after 3-4 years in college. You will be a better law student, lawyer, person for having 3-4 years in college as opposed to rushing through. A lot of the education you get in college will come from spending time with your fellow students; it can't be rushed, and the better the the college, the more likely it will be a very valauble expereince. The contrast ten years from now if you 1. go to Buffalo for a year and then to a law school with 2. go to Buffalo for a year, transfer to Yale or Michigan or Bowdoin for 2-3 more years and then on to law school will be HUGE. Of course $ may make 1 more doable for you than 2.</p>
<p>"edit: lol, i'm retarded...I was reading "da man" or something..."</p>
<p>Definitely DO spend more time in school and/or graduate and get a job--if only for the sake of gaining some political correctness...and maturing.</p>
<p>The fact is that you (and everyone else) need time to grow up! That's one of the reasons behind having to get an undergraduate before LS. If not, LS would be a first degree like in the UK and scores of other countries.</p>
<p>Enjoy college.</p>
<p>Ps. I would transfer to a better undergraduate college--where in turn you'll find your AP credits allowing you to take more advance courses, but will not allow you to graduate. That creates academic credibility.</p>