Paving THE path to becoming a SUCCESSFUL attorney - please assist.

[NYCK]

I have always considered law as a potential career since eighth grade.  Yes, it was serious.  I wasn't one of those kids who couldn't pick an interest, and stuck with law.  I interned at a medium-sized law firm in New York City, actively participated in my school's Mock Trial and Moot Court team, among other Mock Trial competitions outside of school.  On top of that, I took a law course at the University of Chicago during my junior year in High School, and I won the mock trial there as well.

I am not trying to boast, or show off.  I am proving that I truly wish to make something of myself in the field of law.  I even considered other fields (business, doctor, psychology, professor, writer, actor, swimmer, etc.) but I ended up back with Law.  I loved it too much to let it go.  Everything else is placed on the "back-burner."  I will dabble in business through the stock market, or through corporate law.  I will write as a hobby, and continue to swim throughout college, and recreationally.  As for acting... I really enjoy it, but I cannot envision myself making a career out of it.  I'm not willing to take that risk.

I am graduating High School this year, and most likely I will end up at the University of Michigan for my freshman year.  I have the option to transfer to Georgetown University - with a guaranteed admission, as long as I retain a certain GPA; and, I'm willing to spend $120.00 on application fees, besides Georgetown - Stanford University, and University of Chicago.  Who knows, maybe I can make it into a better school?

Or, perhaps, should I attend the United States Military Academy at West Point?

My short-term goal is to get into Stanford Law School, Harvard Law School, Columbia Law School, and the like.  After that, to get recruited by a big, big law firm.  Hopefully, one of the best.  Which route is the best for me? 

Note:  I did apply to West Point, for other reasons than to just furnish my resume.  I would be happy going there, OR a great school like Georgetown U, and especially Stanford U.

I need some guidance on setting a path for success in my legal profession.

You're constructive advice is appreciated. 

Thanks,

Kyle

[NYCK]

Does anyone have any input?

[SplitFinger]

Yep - it doesn't really matter what school you go to, as long as you have a high GPA and do really well on the LSAT.  The whole admissions process is almost completely numbers-driven, and those are the two numbers that count.

[NYCK]

Thank you for the feedback.  It's noted.

[tmc123]

Or, perhaps, should I attend the United States Military Academy at West Point?

My short-term goal is to get into Stanford Law School, Harvard Law School, Columbia Law School, and the like. 

 

Only go USMA if you want to become and Army Officer and spend 5 or more years as in the Army.  If your short term goal is to go to law school do not go to West Point. 

Furthermore you shouldn't concern yourself too much with the prestige of your undergraduate  institution.  Some schools do take that into account but a far more significant factor is your overall undergraduate GPA.  Go wherever you can earn the highest possible GPA.  Don't worry about your major either just study whatever you will do best in. 

[bass]

Clearly, get drunk.  Lawyers like to drink.

THE path, eh?

[Pirate Pete]

I am really at a loss for words here.

[Pirate Pete]

also, you should be sure to sabotage anyone who gets in your way

 

[SplitFinger]

that goes for undergrad too.  remember, the professor is there to teach YOU - if nobody else is smart enough to figure that out, well, that's why they are merely detritus beneath your feet on the road to personal glory.

[Alamo]

Contrary to the conventional wisdom posted on this board, I think that it does matter where you go to undergrad, for a number of reasons.

1) Admissions committees, when addressing the question, state that they take quality of UG institution into consideration.  While GPA is an important rankings criteria for admissions, it seems evident that engineering GPAs are handled differently from liberal arts GPAs, and I 've heard an adcomm member say that "we consider a 3.0 from Harvard to be better than a 4.0 from Chico State."
2) You are likely to get a better education at a better institution.  One of the biggest law-related skill you will acquire in college is writing.  Better schools with better teachers will help you become a better writer.  My writing before I entered college compared with my writing coming out is so different that it's virtually unrecognizable.  I'd also say the same is true (to a slightly lesser extent) of logic skills - take some philosophy and econ classes to hone these. 
3) As a result of 2) above, a better school is likely to prepare you better for the LSAT.

Now I'm not saying you should go $100K plus in debt just to go to a school with name recognition; it's a cost-benefit analysis for everyone.  And as many on this board (Bass, What a Croc, etc.) have shown, you can get into the elite law schools without having gone to a great undergrad school.  But at the same time, I don't think it's accurate to say that all colleges are created equal.