<p>Hey guys, just have a few question regarding law school admissions. I am currently a freshman (1st Semester). I am History major with a minor in philosophy. I have some AP, IB, and CLEP credit from high school, as a result (based on my research, and academic adviser's opinion) I should be graduating with my bachelors as a 1st semester Junior. I just wanted to know how law schools view students who graduate early. Do they view it as good? If not, should I do a double major instead of a minor? I know law admissions are very LSAT and GPA heavy, but every little bit helps.Also, I am a student at UNLV (University of Nevada Las Vegas), which does not have the best reputation in academics, and I have often been told that graduating from UNLV could negatively affect me, should I transfer? Back to GPA/LSAT, I am in my first semester so I do not have a GPA yet, but classes seem to going well, but there is a possibility of me getting a B or C in my math class (I suck at math). Have bought some LSAT prep books and have begun reading them but have not done any practice exams yet. Also, how much does being a URM help, if it does at all? I am Mexican, born in Mexico but now I am US citizen. Thanks for the help. </p>
<p>Law schools do not care whether you graduate early. However, employers may take note if you are younger than usual. My guess is they’ll view it as a negative rather than a positive, unless you can show some decent work experience.</p>
<p>Law school admissions are about LSAT and GPA. Law schools do not care about your major, undergrad school, extra-curriculars (outside the truly extraordinary), or any of that. Since they care about GPA so much, you’re in a good position (I too could have graduated early due to AP credits). When you’re nearing graduation, if your GPA isn’t what you’d like it to be, you have plenty of time to take easy courses to puff it up without making anyone notice. That’s a substantial gift for the law-school headed.</p>
<p>The URM bump will definitely help you. Hispanic isn’t as good as black but it’s a substantial help. Black male is roughly estimated to be worth 10 points on the LSAT. I’d put Hispanic around 5 (there’s no substantial data on just how much it helps, so that’s just my best guess based on knowing the cycles of other Hispanic people). If you’ve started on the LSAT, you know 5 is an awful lot, especially around the top. </p>
<p>Also, I don’t know how much experience with the law you have, but as a freshman I highly recommend internships. There’s a lot of unhappy lawyers out there whose view of law came mostly from TV. The best advice I can give is to spend some time getting your hands dirty with the practice of law. Then you can make an informed choice on whether it’s for you.</p>
<p>take the lsat books back for a refund. There is plenty of time for test prep.</p>
<p>Open your math books, instead. Instead of graduating early, find some easy classes to earn A’s.</p>
<p>A URM with a 3.8 will be in demand by top law schools.</p>
<p>Good luck. </p>