<p>Have you guys ever thought… “maybe I’m just not smart enough to get into <insert unrealistic=”" dream=“” school=“”> (Harvard Law School in my case)"? It’s one thing to dream something realistic (a realistic reach) and another to dream something highly unattainable. I think I would be unhappy trying to pursue this goal, because I don’t think my natural intelligence would carry me that far. Some people will think “just live life the way you want” and then apply to Harvard later on if you choose to, but it’s not so easy to carry out this philosophy. I could either live life the way I want, but I would have to determine NOW that I don’t want to even try for Harvard. OR, I could tell myself that I have some interest in applying to HLS in the future and must therefore keep this goal in mind (at least minimally) during college. I could not just combine both, because just thinking about HLS would inevitably influence many of my future decisions (i.e. prepping for the LSAT, pushing myself to get the highest possible GPA, avoiding pass/fail classes etc.). And if you’re thinking, maybe I’m just not cut-out for HLS with this mindset, that’s exactly my point. Maybe I’m just not and shouldn’t even try. For personal reasons, though, I’m decided on law school. Basically, what I’m saying is that I’d rather set realistic goals and achieve them (though I do have life ambitions that most would consider unrealistic but I believe I could accomplish). Am I really that desperate to get into HLS? Not really, but I’ve always adopted the mindset “If I’m going to do something, I might as well set the highest standard possible.”</insert></p>
<p>You know if you can handle it. Plan accordingly. I hope by this age you are aware of your abilities.</p>
<p>You do realize that if you go to law school at Harvard, you will still end up practicing the same law as the UGA graduate (or any other graduate) - all of them take the same BAR exam and all of them end up learning the most from their on-the-job-training. Don’t get so caught up in where you attend - focus on doing things that will prepare you to study law (anywhere) - do your best - and let it go. What will be will be. </p>
<p>This IVY league worship is so over blown (I’ve worked with people - mostly in the medical field - who graduated from all sorts of schools . You would be stunned at how many mistakes are made by the “Harvard Med” types and probably equally stunned by how many times the state-school-nurse-practicioners (or other state school graduates) saved their asses. </p>
<p>Relax, do your best, learn and live life.</p>
<p>Pearl:</p>
<p>Ahm, the difference is that the most visible and highest paying law firms recruit from the top law schools, and Harvard is one of those. If you want a truly high-powered career in certain types of law, where you go to law school does make a difference.</p>
<p>Yes, someone who ends up as a lawyer in a corporate legal department is practicing the “same” law (sort of) as someone who is a partner in a huge NY law firm doing legal work for that corporation. But it’s not the “same,” if you catch my drift.</p>
<p>As for nurses, they bail out doctors from everywhere, all the time.</p>
<p>very true, tarhunt.</p>
<p>Whether for better or worse, the name of your graduate or undergraduate college holds a lot of weight. I’ve heard that one of the main reasons to go to a top school is because of the connections you would make.</p>
<p>You can do anything, 'tisthetruth.</p>