2 answers
Addison
Student
Reno, Nevada
1
Question
Updated
637 views
How do I go about becoming a lawyer in the best way possible? I want to be a human rights lawyer. Helping people is my main focus. Does the undergraduate school I go to impact my chances of getting into a t12 law school? Do I need to be in a t12 law school to effectively help people? Wat are the best internships for a person dreaming of becoming a human rights lawyer? What do I need to know to succeed in becoming a human rights lawyer? #Spring25
I'm a junior in high school. I got a 28 composite score on my ACT and a 1230 on my SAT. I would love to live in NYC. Where should I go for undergrad?
#Spring25
Login to comment
2 answers
Taylor Hawkins
Lawyer
2
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Taylor’s Answer
Hi Addison! Thankfully, law school doesn't have any prerequisites so there is a wide range of paths into law school. I would say that your performance in undergrad and your resume will matter more than *where* you go to undergrad. Of course, if you are shooting for a T-14 school, going to a more elite college will aid your application but ultimately, T14s accept people from a range of universities. Focus on doing well in your classes and being a well-rounded applicant.
I would think generally about skills that would serve you (and your future clients) well and how you can explore your interests with those in mind. For example, strong writing and research skills are important. When I was in undergrad, I was an English minor because I knew it would help me further my writing skills and I love literature--two birds, one stone. I chose to write a thesis because I knew it would be a concrete example of my writing and research skills. Given your interest in human rights law, you want to ensure you have good, trauma informed, people skills. Maybe to help hone those skills you volunteer with a help hotline, work a customer service job, etc. The same goes for choosing classes in my opinion. If you want to work in the human's rights sector of the legal field, I would, for example, take history classes about the people I hoped to help or a class about trauma and the brain. It's also helpful, but not necessary, to explore the legal field more to ensure you truly want to be on this path. This could be joining a mock trial team, volunteering/interning with a legal aid clinic, making time to watch local court proceedings, cold emailing local attorneys and asking to shadow them, etc. In other words, think about how you can use your current interests to further skill development.
As for whether you need to go to a T14 law school, the short answer is no. However, going to a T14 law school will make a number of legal jobs more easily accessible to you. Given that you are in high school, I would just focus on finding an undergrad you believe you can thrive at, both academically and socially. You should enjoy each step of your path to law school!
I would think generally about skills that would serve you (and your future clients) well and how you can explore your interests with those in mind. For example, strong writing and research skills are important. When I was in undergrad, I was an English minor because I knew it would help me further my writing skills and I love literature--two birds, one stone. I chose to write a thesis because I knew it would be a concrete example of my writing and research skills. Given your interest in human rights law, you want to ensure you have good, trauma informed, people skills. Maybe to help hone those skills you volunteer with a help hotline, work a customer service job, etc. The same goes for choosing classes in my opinion. If you want to work in the human's rights sector of the legal field, I would, for example, take history classes about the people I hoped to help or a class about trauma and the brain. It's also helpful, but not necessary, to explore the legal field more to ensure you truly want to be on this path. This could be joining a mock trial team, volunteering/interning with a legal aid clinic, making time to watch local court proceedings, cold emailing local attorneys and asking to shadow them, etc. In other words, think about how you can use your current interests to further skill development.
As for whether you need to go to a T14 law school, the short answer is no. However, going to a T14 law school will make a number of legal jobs more easily accessible to you. Given that you are in high school, I would just focus on finding an undergrad you believe you can thrive at, both academically and socially. You should enjoy each step of your path to law school!
DENNIS BREEN
Lawyer
224
Answers
Cary, North Carolina
Updated
DENNIS’s Answer
Hi Addison: You have a few steps ahead of you so take your time and enjoy the journey. Make your college years fun and enlightening. Go to local Courthouses and sit in the back and watch - that's how you learn. Talk to lawyers and judges and clerks about their jobs. The reality of everyday law is a bit different than what you might think. By talking to the people who work in the field you might get a new perspective. Plus you might get a job!
Human rights law covers a lot of issues. There is criminal law where you protect people's rights; international law where you get involved in many different jurisdictions; immigration law where you protect people in the country. Look around. Find out which one fits you best and bear down and get involved.
You are going to be a great asset to the profession. Enjoy. Good luck!
Human rights law covers a lot of issues. There is criminal law where you protect people's rights; international law where you get involved in many different jurisdictions; immigration law where you protect people in the country. Look around. Find out which one fits you best and bear down and get involved.
You are going to be a great asset to the profession. Enjoy. Good luck!
Thank you so much!
Addison