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avatarEmily
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What are the most important steps to take to get into top colleges?

I'm a freshmen in high school, and I would love to go to Harvard for law eventually. However, I'm a white female American from a middle-class family in a not-too-great public school. So far I'm in all honors classes, recieving high honors on each report card, in a number of clubs (student council, interact, string ensamble, color guard, a club that meets with the principle every month, as well as a number of other groups) and highly successful on violin (I've been playing since I was 3, and made allstate this year, etc). Basically, I'm doing everything that I can think of to heighten my chances, but I have no clue which of it will really count the most, and what I should add. Does anyone have advice on what I can do and what I should focus on to give me a better chance of succeeding?

Question applies to ages: 14, 15, 16, 17

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avatarElizabeth.Johns
# of Thumbs Up Received (76)		 It's sounds like you're doing all the right things. I don't see how you could even manage to fit anything else into your schedule.

Your grades and test scores (ACT, SAT) will be important when you are looking at colleges, but so will your involvement in extracurricular activities. However, college admissions offices are not just looking for the kid with the longest list of extracurriculars. They would rather see fewer extracurriculars with evidence of involvement and leadership, than lots of activities that you just dabble in so you can put them on your college application. As you head into your sophomore and junior years, you may want to decide which activities are most meaningful to you and concentrate more on those.

Since you know you want to go to Harvard Law School, visit their web site, or even call their admissions office and ask what they are looking for. If you want to be a lawyer, you can't be shy. Go ahead and be proactive--they'll be impressed that you took the time to call. Find out what pre-law programs best prepare their graduates for Harvard Law and what course of studies you should be taking in college to get ready for law school.

Also, take some time to reflect on why you want to attend Harvard Law. Is it just for the prestigious name? Did a parent or grandparent graduate from there? Or is there some particular program there that attracts you? Do you think you will be a better lawyer for getting a degree from Harvard instead of a public state university? These are the kinds of questions you might reasonably be asked in an admissions interview--first you need to be able to answer them yourself.

You sound like a person who is very focused and goal oriented. You seem to be on the right track. Just don't over-do it. You don't want to burn out before you even get to college, much less law school. Enjoy the clubs, have fun with your violin, and take strong core academic subjects with a few electives that help you to develop areas of yourself outside of academics.

You've got the right stuff. Good luck.

References:
mom of four, including one in college and one in high school
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