People tell us to dream big. People tell us to shoot for the moon because even if we miss, we will land among the stars. So we dream. We set our goals so high that they do become the moon. I was told Harvard Law is the best law school in the U.S. and that I should go there if I want to be a great lawyer. Yes, Harvard Law is recognized as one of the best law schools in the world, but what is the big deal? People around me tell me to go to Harvard Law and become someone special. I think it's overrated that those schools are the only ones recognized as the best. It shouldn't be about the schools we've graduated from but our personal characteristics that make us suitable for the job market: endurance, diligence, and passion.
I've looked at what Harvard Law School looks at the most when deciding on which applicants to admit. An article by Business Insider lists out the ways to get into the best law schools.
Aside from good internships and other work related experiences, these are the three things that law schools consider the most.
1. GPA
2. LSAT Score
3. A Memorable Essay
I guess in order to achieve a high GPA and a high LSAT score, you would need endurance and diligence. A memorable essay would require passion for studying law. In a way, these three factors do show endurance, diligence and passion, but there are other ways to show these traits. GPA doesn't necessarily show whether or not someone will be a good lawyer. A good LSAT score doesn't necessarily show whether or not someone will be great in a courtroom setting.
Here's the conclusion I've reached. Things will happen the way they should happen. If someone is meant to be a good lawyer, there's no need for people to have no social life studying to get into Harvard. Study hard and work hard, but live a little.
For all those that know me, I'm definitely not the one to say put academics second. I've always thought if I tried hard enough if I studied hard enough, I would be good enough. That's all not true. Being happy is so much more important than a 4.0. I still think that studying is important and that I should try hard to get good grades, but it shouldn't be my everything.
For all those reading this, know that “In the end, it’s not going to matter how many breaths you took, but how many moments took your breath away.” -Shing Xiong
Live your life and capitalize on the moments that leave you breathless, because those are the moments that will define your life’s journey and its final destination.
