What do I need to do to get ...

Graduate School
1

<p>... to Harvard?</p>

<p>This may seem like an weird time to ask, seeing as I'm still a senior in high school, but I believe it is always good to have a plan of action. When I started high school I had an idea of what I needed to do to go to a good school, but in regards to graduate admissions, I'm a little lost. That's why I'm here asking this question.</p>

<p>Let me give you some background info on me.</p>

<p>I will be attending University of Pennsylvania next year (Wharton). My planned concentration is Business & Public Policy (BPUB).</p>

<p>I also hope to pick up a second degree in Political Science. If I can't work out the schedule, I'll probably settle for a minor concentrating in American Public Policy.</p>

<p>I am an African-American Male (Don't know if that means anything yet).</p>

<p>I ultimately plan to go into public service of some time (government or politics). I also wish to get a background in law. So, I am looking at programs with good law schools and public policy schools. Here are some current looks:</p>

<p>Harvard, Columbia, UChicago, Georgetown, NYU, UPenn (yes, I know these are really selective schools but I want to work with them as my goal).</p>

<p>So, I must repeat again, what do I need to do at Wharton to get into these schools? I know my GPA and LSAT scores should be high, but can going to a school like Penn help me if my GPA is slightly lower (say 3.4-3.6), as Wharton is not known for grade inflation. How do extra-curriculars/internships factor in?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance to any insights and I apologize for the long post.</p>

2

<p>You don't really apply to the school, you apply to the program that happens to be in the school.</p>

<p>Therefore, you really have to pick a program, not school. If you're still in high school, you don't really know what you want exactly after you graduate.</p>

<p>Wait a few years and come back.</p>

3

<p>I know you don't apply to the school. I was just saying the names because I like the programs at those school (KSG/Law at Harvard, SIPA/Law at Columbia etc.)</p>

<p>I understand that I'm still in high school, but I've been moving down this road for a long time. This is the type of stuff I have a passion for. I know that I may still change my mind about what I want to do, but I feel if I work hard during college I will have good options no matter what.</p>

<p>If you wish to withold any advice due to my being a senior still, I understand. If anyone is willing to offer insight still, I'm willing to take it.</p>

4

<p>Read the Grad School 101 thread.</p>

<p>After that, if you ask more specific questions, we would be happy to help. Honestly, it doesn't seem so to you, but your question is really broad and not really something we can answer. Grad admissions are very different from undergrad, so you need to really get a good understanding of grad school admissions first.</p>

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<p>worry about undergrad first. Undergrad is too much fun for you to be stressing over grad school when you don't have to yet.</p>

<p>in in terms of deciding to do things in public policy, law school is a good avenue to look at. As stated by the other poster, however, you have to narrow your question down in terms of the type of program. KSG and HLS are two completely different schools requiring two completely different admissions criteria and standards. The same applies to all the other top schools you listed. </p>

<p>BTW what does the business and public policy program at wharton consist of? It is more of a policy analysis type major?</p>

6

<p>Thanks for replying guys. I completely missed the Grad School 101 thread; sorry about that.</p>

<p>Those schools above I listed all offer dual-degree programs. So that would be one between the Kennedy School and Law School for Harvard, and something similar for the others. If I had to chose a path, I'd definitely pick law school first, so I have to look at what each of them offer. I'll probably look them ove r in detail during my summers at Penn.</p>

<p>BPUB at Wharton is more of a policy analysis program looking at the interaction between the marketplace and governmental action. As a political junkie, it was right up my alley. It also gives me a chance to get a good degree in case I wanted to get a job before grad school or if I chose not to go to law school.</p>

<p>Don't worry about me stressing in undergrad. That's not really what I do. I do the things I have to do during the school year, but still find plenty of time to have fun. It's also so much easier when the work I have to do is in an area that actually interests me, which my studies at Wharton and possibly the College of Arts & Sciences at Penn will provide me. </p>

<p>If I have more specific questions, I'll come back later.</p>

7

<p>And congrats on UPenn :) like hnbui... first enjoy Upenn.</p>