Zoe
Environmental Law Highschool advice; classes, clubs, teams, research, etc.
Hi, I'm 14 and I am extremely interested in becoming an Environmental Lawyer and getting into an Ivy League University.
So far I have been trying to take many classes that (I think) relate to this topic. I have taken and passed 13 college-level (AP and such) classes with straight A's in topics that I think relate to this field, mainly some AP science, business, economics, and english-type classes, and I also am on teams such as speech and debate and other similar clubs to try and get more involved in the law side of stuff, but I really am not sure what I should really be taking to be successful in Environmental Law.
I've also been pursuing arts/sports as well to get a bit more well-rounded, and I have been dancing since I was 2, and I have been really investing time into that (I mainly dance ballet and perform in a couple of shows every year, so I really take it seriously :)) I volunteer at my ballet theatre, some school-hosted foodbanks, and a cancer awareness campaign at my school as well for community service hours :) I also run track and field and take pilates as well, and I am trying to go deeper into these extracurriculars.
Could anyone give me advice on what other classes, clubs, opportunities, research, community service, or anything else I should take in my next few high school years to work towards this goal, and advice on how to get into an ivy league university with a strong program in this field? Volunteer opportunity suggestions are appreciated as well!
(My school offers nearly all the AP classes and around 115 clubs, so I am open to any sort of class or club/team suggestions
Any advice for getting into an ivy league university is appreciated :))) How could I make myself stand out from the rest of the applicants?
[Also I am planning on starting a club, so if anybody has ideas, that would be extremely helpful :)].
3 answers
Harish M
Harish’s Answer
I went to Northwestern University, which is ranked #9 in the country. It isn't an Ivy League, but is right in the middle of the Ivy League pack; Harvard/Yale/Princeton outrank it, but Dartmouth/Brown/Cornell are ranked lower than Northwestern. The points below apply to basically every college in the top 15 of this country.
To get into an Ivy League/similarly ranked college, you need:
1. Strong coursework/grades (weighted 35%): You already seem to have good coursework/grades
2. Strong test scores (weighted 35%): ACT 33+, SAT 1520+ are preferred. The higher your score, the less competition you'll have when applying to schools.
3. Good extracurriculars (weighted 15%): You want at least 2-3 clubs in your college resume, along with maybe 1 sport/art .etc. to seem well-rounded. Summer camps at strong universities are also good for your college resume. I did CTD at Northwestern for 2 summers, it's basically a summer camp where you take an AP .etc. course
4. Good recommendations (weighted 5%): Ask around 3 teachers to give you a recommendation letter for college.
5. Essay (weighted 5%): Write a decent college essay.
6. Other (weighted 5%): Any other factors that may come up.
7. EARLY DECISION: Use your Early Decision wisely. Look at one of your target school that you have around a 20-25% chance of getting into without using ED, and then use ED on it. ED will on average multiply your chances of getting in by around 2-2.7. So, it turns your 20-25% into a 50-60%. Make sure you choose your Early Decision college carefully; once you select a college and get in via ED; you are forced to go to that college.
Just make sure you keep getting good grades and doing well; honestly, I think you can get a 34/35 ACT and a 1540+ SAT with the level of coursework you've taken, so aim for 34/35 ACT and 1540+ SAT. Join a few clubs and see if you can join a law club. Look at any summer camps that are affiliated with a good university.
Thank you so much for your advice! :)
Zoe
Kim Igleheart
Kim’s Answer
Wow! take time to enjoy a rainstorm!
Learn to study subjects you have no interest in, how to take and organize study material, and how to pace yourself so you won't burn out. Embrace proper diet, exercise, and sleep patterns. Must take care of you!
Anyway, I've only dabbled in matters of law, but, one thing I have noticed is the importance of actually knowing grammar. I've read cases that talked of dependent clauses and things like that, and I was totally lost! I encourage you to learn grammar. Learn to write concisely, without losing meaning.
Beyond that, I encourage you to spend some time reading about Environmental Law. It was basically that field that Administrative Law was derived from. You will be studying a lot about regulations, how they are passed, how to fight them, how to defend them. Have some fun. Read the Federal Register. Find a proposed rule that interests you, post a comment on it, and follow it through to the end! Here's a couple of links: https://www.regulations.gov/learn
https://www.federalregister.gov/uploads/2011/01/the_rulemaking_process.pdf
I would also encourage you to take a Logic class. If not offered in HS, take it in college. Start learning to network.
Get involved in a grassroots campaign trying to effect change. Not sure how much of that you can do at 14, but, look around. I was a few years older than you, but managed to get in with a group that was trying to stop the licensing of a nuclear power plant. It had "legal intervenor" status, which allowed us to participate in the licensing hearings. Very educational!
Do things to become "well-rounded." Coach a youth sports team, volunteer at a foodbank, etc. Not everything has to contribute towards your education.
I'll let the lawyers take over from here. Good luck to you!!
Thank you !! :)
Zoe
Stacey Rearick
Stacey’s Answer
Thank you for the advice!!
Zoe