<p>“Well, if this is true, afan, it is a dismal assessment of the legal profession. Won’t better prepared students fare better in law school?”</p>
<p>I don’t think that’s the point Afan is trying to make --of students merely playing the system to get to LS. As far as I understood it, he’s not saying one should try to evade the rigors of a tough undergraduate program. He is trying to say however, that one should learn to formulate strategies that will lead one to success --Inferring that if one doesn’t have “vision” and “self- awareness”, one may not be the best candidate for a top LS. Also, law school will provide an intellectual stimulating environment, so I see no point in referring to an attorney’s intelligence based on their undergraduate major, as they still have to get through law school --note that in some states you can sit for the bars without finishing law school too. Furthermore, even if you have a master’s on “how to play the system”, you still have to take the LSAT! I don’t think there is any room for discussion in that regards. Either you ace it, or you do not. So, it is not a matter of playing the system. It is a matter of being wise about your choices, of being responsible, and of being mature --and doing damn well on the LSAT, or else, the rest may be irrelevant.</p>
<p>I mean, honestly, why would you major in engineering if you know you want to be an attorney? Especially, knowing that will affect your GPA. I definitely understand people trying to explore different fields, but sometimes --if not always-- one has to sacrifice things and desires in order to succeed. Nonetheless, if you do have the potential to do well in both professions, by all means go and do it! If not, well…why waste your time, and occupy a spot that somebody else may want --with true seriousness of purpose? Especially, at a top school. </p>
<p>As far as the importance of the undergraduate institution you attend, I am getting the sense that it’s not a determining factors. From what I have gathered, it goes somewhat like this --in order:
- LSAT
- GPA
- Recommendations
- Personal Qualities of the applicant/ “hooks”/ uncommon strengths-circumstances
- ECs-accomplishments
- School of attendance </p>
<p>Anyway, just my thoughts on the issue for all they may be worth.</p>