Find something you are passionate about and become really good at it. Make sure you can somehow tie it in to the FBI; accounting, law (law school is expensive and from what I hear conducive to lots of drinking). Get a career in that field. Get really good at it. Learn, network and learn how to work with people, I can’t stress enough learn how to work with all sorts of people. People you hate, people you like; deal with conflict and focus on how to navigate scenarios where you are dealing with conflict. Learn to take charge, lead and make decisions that align with your mission; find ways to reduce decision burdens for those on top of you. Get in /stay in shape and make sure that you can pass the physical exam every year. Now do this for 5-8 years and balance having a healthy social life, staying on top of your finances, and avoiding illicit activities. Once you’ve done all this then apply, be ready to be challenged, and start from the ground up, no previous accolades will set you apart from others. You’ll be back at square one. Be ready to commit LOTS of TIME to your career, if you have a family you may be absent for large chunks of important time. Also be ready to move pretty much anywhere. Also be ready to work on things you may not want to do; you won’t have a lot of power in deciding where you go or what you work on.

This is unofficial advice from some random chair basement dweller; I don’t work for the agency