I’m in my last year of law school (not Harvard, but a similarly reputable school; I got waitlisted at HLS), and I don’t really agree with some of the above advice (i.e. pre-law program, political science, community college, etc). Their advice sounds pretty generic and wouldn’t really help someone who wants to get into HLS. I do second going to the best college you can get into, but that’s going to depend on more than just your GPA (i.e. SAT score, activities, essays, recommendations, etc). I’d advise you to go to HLS’s website and see if you can find a list of the most represented colleges in their student body (they usually have this list on their site). Naturally, many of them will be Ivy League schools, public Ivies like the University of Michigan, Berkeley, UCLA, UVirginia, etc and other schools on an Ivy level such as Stanford and Duke.

As far as what you study, just don’t major in anything that’s considered bs. Law schools like Harvard see so many political science majors that they don’t really value that major, but they also don’t like majors like Creative Writing, Criminal Justice or just anything that they think is too easy (i.e. doesn’t involve developing strong reading, analytical and writing skills). To that end, philosophy is one of the best majors for people going to law school. Ultimately, what you need to do is study something you feel you can do well in, because in order to get into HLS you’ll need a similar kind of GPA as you have now in high school.

HLS likes applicants who stand out. So in addition to a good undergraduate school and good grades, make sure you get involved on campus and get some leadership positions. Even start an organization, since schools like HLS look for strong leadership skills. Definitely get involved in activities that demonstrate you’re serious about law school. I was President of my school’s Pre-Law Society, for example. Get close to a few professors so you can make sure you have some who will write you strong recommendations. I’d also advise taking a few years off after college and working. If you do this, work a good job and not just something like Starbucks or McDonalds. Approximately half of people getting into law school nowadays have worked for a few years before law school, and I did this, as well (started my own business, which also looks good to law schools). Write a senior thesis during college or do something that allows you to do a lot of research, i.e. research for a professor. Take a lot of courses that involve a lot of analytical writing, such as English courses–as a lawyer, you will write a LOT. Reading, researching and writing well are so essential for lawyers, and that’s almost ALL most of us do. We don’t “argue” nearly as much as people think we do, so I don’t know about debate and how much that helps…besides, you will have time to do that kind of thing as tailored to how lawyers do it once you get to a law school, i.e. we have moot court competitions and mock trials. Debate is not really like that.

I can’t think of anything else right now, but feel free to contact me if you have questions.

OK. Here’s what to do:

Apply to the usually recommended 3 or 4 universities: one or two tip-top ivy league schools (like Harvard), one or two state universities that have admissions standards that are less competitive, and one “safety net” school like your nearest open-admissions community college.

OR, if you prefer, do 2 years at the community college and then transfer to the best university in your state–that would be a lot cheaper and the quality would (trust me) be the same if not higher.

But in your case, I’d say major in pre-law, take lots of business and accounting electives, and participate in the debate team (which means that you should steer toward a university that has one, and not a community college). Also try hard to make a network of contacts with lawyers–volunteer to do work at a local legal aid society or get a job as a runner for a big law firm.

Late in junior year, take the LSAT. ACE THE SUCKER!!!!! Do whatever you have to do to post a top score on the LSAT–buy preparation packets, take sample LSATs, etc. A top score is essential for a top school.

Early in senior year, you’ll apply to Harvard law (and for thoroughness, Yale Law and U Mich Law or any other top schools you’ll consider–and one state university law school where you’re a dead lock to get in as “safety net”). Your debate team experience and volunteer or paid work in legal settings will look good, and letters of recommendation will help especially if they come from lawyers. Naturally, your college GPA and specific course work will also be a consideration. If they interview you or ask for an essay, try to communicate how you think that the law is essential to society at large and how grateful you are to all those who’ve made your progress possible to this point.

The reason for applying early is to make yourself available for a wider range of financial aid.

Good luck and please don’t sue me if I’m wrong here 🙂

Congrats on your hard work to date.

First, I recommend you buy the book “1L,” which is Scott Turow’s slightly fictionalized account of his first year attending Harvard Law. It might alter your perspective a bit. Second, do the obvious things: do well in college, attend the best college you can get into (though that’s not absolutely necessary) – preferably one of the undergrads that tends to get a higher % into Harvard, like Princeton or Yale. Third, do really really well on the LSAT. That last point cannot be underestimated so you want to prepare for that exam way in advance. This is somewhat cynical, but unless you were persecuted in some way and have an amazing tale to tell on your essays, you’ll want to get something hovering around 170+ which is no easy task.

You may also want to buy “How to get into Harvard Law School” which is a collection of application essays compiled by Willie Epps. You’ll get some sense for the wide, perhaps novel spectrum of students they admit. Final point: why limit yourself to Harvard? I know the name opens many doors in our society currently, but Yale and others have as strong of a reputation if not stronger when it comes to law school. It’s all subjective anyhow.

Disclaimer: I did not attend Harvard Law. I did, however, graduate with honors from a top tier law school. So caveat emptor. I would be remiss not to conclude by saying that no matter how many accolades you get, it will never satisfy your hunger. I am an exhibit for that point. But that’s your path to tread.

My best advice to you is to go to a very good university, not necessarily Harvard, but a university in which you will do very good. Get into a pre-law program and stick with it till graduation. A year or two before graduation is when you should start concentrating on getting into Harvard Law. As a high school senior your main priorities should be what I mentioned above.

I have some great articles for high school seniors who are about to be college students, check them out!

http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/47603/idalia_benavides.html

In order to get into law school you first must have a bachelors degree. If you want to do law school I suggest political science. Otherwise just keep up your gpa, and take the LSATs your junior year to help you prepare more. Applying to law school, or grad school in general is just like applying to college the first time around.