<p>So I’m currently a high school junior looking for a way to make my applications stand out to the Ivy League adcoms. I have a passion for politics, government, and history, and I dream of becoming a lawyer. I’ve already taken all of the available AP exams in history and the social sciences (5s on all. Human Geography, Psychology, World History, and both Econs were self-study,) but these tests obviously may not be sufficient in today’s competitive admissions environment. I’ve heard that the bar exam is notoriously challenging, and taking it would really demonstrate my interest in law. I’ve tried a few practice LSATs, and I scored a 173. Is this a harbinger for success on the bar exam? Has anyone else ever tried taking the bar exam while still in high school? Is it possible to self-study for it? What prep books do you suggest? I really appreciate your help.</p>
<p>hey, you are only a junior in high school. There are still four years of undergraduate, three years of JD, and some more years of working experience (although not required). You shouldn’t be too worried about the bar exam, if you can get into the ivy-caliber law schools, like HLS and YLS, and graduate with honors.</p>
<p>No offense, but I think that you’ve misunderstood my question. I’m not worried about passing the bar exam after 4 years as an undergraduate and 3 years of law school. My concern is that AP self-study is no longer particularly unique and will not look particularly impressive to adcoms. Will self-studying for and taking the bar exam, a much more difficult exam, act as some sort of hook? I’m willing to give things up (my social life, etc.) to pass the exam, that isn’t the problem.</p>
<p>I know what you mean and that you want to keep challenging yourself.</p>
<p>Passing the bar exam as a high schooler would be stunning on your resume for applying colleges, but colleges are not only looking for overachievers. That being said, you should also focus on your social life, i.e. going out and meeting more friends, or taking some more extracurricular activities. What makes you standout is you as a person, yet not necessarily your stellar achievements and credentials. Since everyone today has already academically achieved the ivy-criteria ( e.g. 2300+ SAT’s or 3.9+ GPA’s). </p>
<p>On the other hand, if bar exam is where your passion is at, then go for it. Tell the adcoms that how passionate you are about being a lawyer. But I think the bar exam requires at least two years of undergrad education. You should really check the eligibility first.</p>
<p>Overall, these words are just my personal and biased (sort of) suggestions. It’s your decision to make. You need to weigh which part is more important and spend your own time wisely. No matter what choice you will choose, your initiative and thoughts would be appreciated by the adcoms, since those traits are what they are looking for in an outstanding applicant.</p>
<p>jesus christos!!! if i were you i wouldn’t take the bar exam as a JUNIoR!! </p>
<p>yes it’ll show your interest but in all honesty, it won’t set you apart from other applicants, it’ll only show that you are lopsided… colleges are looking for well-rounded with a small bit of lopsidedness… this is just too extreme. </p>
<p>instead of being holed up in your room studying, i would spend you time shadowing a lawyer, learning firsthand about law and the law system… maybe join youth and government if they have one in your state…</p>
<p>Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it. So you’re saying that I don’t need some sort of hook of that caliber to get into my top choice. Is that correct? I realize that my dream of the Ivies will be impossible to achieve, but do you think that Tufts is an unrealistic reach?</p>
<p>i agree that shadowing a lawyer would be better than taking the bar exam. After seeing that you took and passed this exam, the colleges would be like “then what does he need us for?”.</p>
<p>dang g, i was like “maybe this thread will tell me if i should independent study some lame ap tests or somethin’”</p>
<p>nah, i just got a big slice of inadequate pie.</p>
<p>but yeah, for reals i don’t think the bars is too good of an idea. i mean, you said straight up it’d be more of a “hook” than anything else. and i know it’s not proven, but i’m pretty sure colleges, deep down, don’t just want students with a “hook,” they want people who are passionate about what they love without going too crazy. </p>
<p>that lawyer thing sounds pretty good, and also shows youre able to work in a law environment (and with people) rather than just studying relentlessly for a test that means really nothing in your context. </p>
<p>basically my advice is chill out.</p>