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Hello everyone. I am an incoming college freshman looking to study history. I'm going to study history because it's what I'm most interested in and what I feel I will succeed in the most. That being said, I'm still torn on whether or not I want to minor in anything, or just stick with history. I'm really interested in learning Japanese and taking Japanese classes in college. However, I have no prior experience with the language (4 years of Spanish instead), and I am not sure 1. Whether law schools place significant value on minors or interests outside of your major and 2. whether it would be something I could succeed in and get straight A's in. I guess I can sum up all of my questions and concerns in a few words:

1. Is it worth it/is it a smart decision to begin studying a new language as an undergraduate?
2. Volunteer work. Do law schools primarily look for x number of hours and strong commitment to 1 or 2 causes over a long period of time or several short volunteer experiences that colleges tend to offer?
3. Studying abroad - do law schools value this experience as an advantage over others? Is it a good idea to do it?
4. Extracurricular activities - what do schools look for?
5. Job - is it important to hold a job over the summer/during the course of the year? I would definitely assume not, but am unsure if it would help
6. LSAT - when is the best time to take the LSAT, and how can I find time to study for it while juggling schoolwork/extracurriculars/volunteer work/potential job/etc.
7. Taking classes over the summer - is this a good idea to get ahead? I was thinking of doing this to make up for the time I haven't spent learning Japanese, but since the classes will be shorter, I'm afraid I won't learn the material as well. The preceding concern also applies to the learning of other courses as well
8. Any general tips and things you wish you could have known going into college?

Thanks

P.S. I am very new to this board so I apologize if these questions have already been asked a million times.

Do not orient your time in undergrad around going to law school. I'm going to repeat it, just so that you understand: Do not orient your time in undergrad around going to law school. If you simply must do so, do nothing other than choose classes and a major that give you the best shot at getting a 4.0. But do not orient your time in undergrad around going to law school.

malleus discentium wrote:Do not orient your time in undergrad around going to law school. I'm going to repeat it, just so that you understand: Do not orient your time in undergrad around going to law school. If you simply must do so, do nothing other than choose classes and a major that give you the best shot at getting a 4.0. But do not orient your time in undergrad around going to law school.

You're right and I agree with what you said. However, I still would like to know what is and isn't a good idea so I can make an educated decision on what to do going into my freshman year. In high school I didn't know any of the information regarding college admission, so I would drop a club here, pick up a club there, I didn't start volunteering until senior year, etc. Getting into x or y college is not the most important thing to me, but I would still like to be informed about the process

anhibitor1023 wrote:Hello everyone. I am an incoming college freshman looking to study history. I'm going to study history because it's what I'm most interested in and what I feel I will succeed in the most. That being said, I'm still torn on whether or not I want to minor in anything, or just stick with history. I'm really interested in learning Japanese and taking Japanese classes in college. However, I have no prior experience with the language (4 years of Spanish instead), and I am not sure 1. Whether law schools place significant value on minors or interests outside of your major and 2. whether it would be something I could succeed in and get straight A's in. I guess I can sum up all of my questions and concerns in a few words:

LOG OUT, and DON'T WORRY ABOUT THIS UNTIL AT LEAST JUNIOR YEAR -- Just keep a good GPA.

1. Is it worth it/is it a smart decision to begin studying a new language as an undergraduate?
I don't know.

2. Volunteer work. Do law schools primarily look for x number of hours and strong commitment to 1 or 2 causes over a long period of time or several short volunteer experiences that colleges tend to offer?
I think they look for something you are passionate about that you can talk about in your personal statement or in a supplemental admissions essay.

3. Studying abroad - do law schools value this experience as an advantage over others? Is it a good idea to do it?
I think it's a fun thing to do if the money isn't an issue. I believe these things are more a fun experience than a serious education decision I couldn't imagine it having any effect whatsoever.

4. Extracurricular activities - what do schools look for?
Absence of crimes and academic violations, especially those relating to your integrity.

5. Job - is it important to hold a job over the summer/during the course of the year? I would definitely assume not, but am unsure if it would help
Nope, not significant. Taking time off for a year or several between UG and LS is recommended, though. It helps in the LS job application process.

6. LSAT - when is the best time to take the LSAT, and how can I find time to study for it while juggling schoolwork/extracurriculars/volunteer work/potential job/etc.
This is the most important factor in LS admissions. You make time for it, plan on taking it all three time and if you don't need consider it a bonus for hard work.

7. Taking classes over the summer - is this a good idea to get ahead? I was thinking of doing this to make up for the time I haven't spent learning Japanese, but since the classes will be shorter, I'm afraid I won't learn the material as well. The preceding concern also applies to the learning of other courses as well
No effect on LS admissions as long as you don't take a class and do badly in it.

8. Any general tips and things you wish you could have known going into college?
Major doesn't matter, score the best you possibly can, remember to get your Letters of Rec. early, plan on spending a ton of time on the LSAT, don't do a Kaplan course.