<p>At this point, I've been accepted to 4 schools (waiting for 2 more). Emory, UNC-CH (OOS), UPITT, & Hampton. I'm waiting for Penn & GW. I'm pretty sure that I want to study the law....so here's my question. </p>
<p>Should I choose the lesser-ranked schools (Pitt, Hampton) for my undergraduate study, where I'd have a great GPA & be close to the top of the class, or go to a more rigorous school (Emory, Penn, etc) where my GPA would probably be a bit lower (but I would have studied at one of the best schools in the nation)? </p>
<p>It seems that there's no consensus on how much going to a more prestigious school would increase my chances ; so does anyone have any suggestions?</p>
<p>Make your decision without taking your desire to attend law school into account at all. Just attend whichever college seems as if it will be the best place for you during the four years you will spend in college. </p>
<p>In the first place, there's a good chance you'll change your mind and never go to law school. </p>
<p>In the second, the process for applying to/being admitted to law schools may be quite different 4 (or more) years from now than it is now. So, even if you could figure out which would work out better NOW that doesn't mean it will ACTUALLY be the best path in the future.</p>
<p>Third, there is NO way that anyone can just look at what his "stats" are as an incoming freshman and predict how well he will do in college or at any particular college. You may decide to choose the less prestigious college and discover that it has more required courses in subjects you don't excel in and end up with a worse gpa than you would have at a more selective school. You may discover a subject you've never previously studied and "click" with it to the point that you will do far better academically than you have to this point. </p>
<p>So, seriously, choose the college where you think you will have the best experience during the four years you are in college. Worry about law school starting about 2 1/2- 3 years from now.</p>
<p>Completely agree with Jonri, especially the third paragraph. Except for a few rare exceptions, for the most part, if you are admitted to a school, you are capable of succeeding. The grades you get don't depend as much upon high school GPA and SAT as you would think (note that this is especially true for law schools). Some of it is the workload, whatever issues you may have, how well you plan your time, the difficulty of your classes or major, etc. In short, there is little guarantee that you will get a 3.1 at Emory but a 3.6 at Pitt. It's entirely possible that you could click with a subject and get the 3.6 at Emory... and there are talented people who get bad grades at college because they aren't challenged enough, don't fit with the environment, etc.</p>
<p>I agree with most of the above, and because of that, I would definitely go with Penn.</p>
<p>There are simply a lot of doors that an Ivy undergrad degree will open. I know people who easily got jobs from such schools, even during recessions, because the alumni network was so strong and accessible. (Their placement offices will also get you jobs far more easily as a result.) </p>
<p>The name will also pack a punch come application time. As long as you have a 3.0+, and a good LSAT, you should get into some good schools. </p>
<p>Finally, you'll probably be better trained for law school (and the LSAT), given that you'll be competing against a stronger pool. </p>
<p>The only thing I would contest is the idea of LSAT vs. SAT -- from what I've read, LSAT is a better predictor of LS grades than SAT is for undergrad. However, in neither case is it determinative, and in any event, it's irrelevant here.</p>
<p>What if I'm a transfer student? I'm a political science major and I'm thinking about either getting my law degree (I probably want to become a civil rights laywer or something in public service...any ideas) and possibly an MPA (Masters of Public Administration), and my choice would be between a prestigious school like UCLA to something a bit lower like UCSB or UCD or UCSC or UCSD?</p>
<p>My advice would be the same in your situation; I can't speak for others on this board, but don't see anything about your situation that would cause them to change their general views.</p>