Law school depends on your goals and values; for instance, if your end goal is working at a large law firm, research the percentage of graduates from your school who secure that position after graduating.
Consider what programs and clinical experiences your school provides as these can give you a taste of legal practice, expand your network, and enhance your resume.
Costs
Law school costs can be an important consideration when contemplating legal careers, but depending on your goals and motivations for enrolling, obtaining your JD could prove to be worthwhile financial investment.
Students attending law school must pay not only tuition fees, but also living expenses and additional associated costs, such as course materials and LSAT preparation costs. There may be ways to lower these costs by seeking scholarships or alternative funding sources.
Another major consideration in law school studies is time commitment. Earning a law degree requires hours upon hours of reading and analysis that may take up much of your free time – particularly during your initial year – reading for classes and preparing them, leaving little time or energy left for other relationships or endeavors like hobbies or family life. Calculating your potential salary-to-debt ratio will allow you to determine if law school is worth its financial investment.
Career Opportunities
Though most law school graduates hope to become attorneys, other paths exist for JD degree holders. For instance, they could work in policy fields like public interest advocacy or lobbying; or choose an area of law with greater earning potential.
Before investing in law school, however, students should make sure that they’re absolutely certain of the decision. Law school can be stressful and draining for those not fully committed; to increase chances of success while finding something worthwhile in terms of both time and monetary commitment, students should carefully consider their options prior to committing.
Time Commitment
Law school can be intense and time-consuming for its students, leaving little time or energy available for other pursuits. Before beginning your studies in law, it is crucial that you assess your commitment level and decide if this career path truly speaks to you given its average salary-to-debt ratios and other considerations.
Students spend many hours each week preparing for classes, with first-year students often devoting even more time than that to their preparation. This may involve reading or studying outside of class in addition to reading materials assigned in class – especially during their first year when subjects and teaching styles may be unfamiliar.
Stay organized by scheduling all coursework and exam dates into your calendar – assignment due dates, exam schedules and registration deadlines should all be included as it can quickly lead to burnout. Joining study groups is also a great way to find support, meet study buddies and tackle difficult subjects together – the additional help can make all the difference when keeping up with law school’s demands!
Personal Fulfillment
At the core of it all lies your personal goals and sense of purpose; other considerations include what salary/debt ratio can be achieved and how becoming a lawyer might impact on future finances.
Even if reading is something you enjoy, law school studies require a large time commitment and may exhaust both emotional and mental energy. You may find yourself required to take courses that don’t interest you or require intense focus in order to excel.
Law school may tempt many to enroll because their parents require it or they want prestige and high wages; but these superficial motivations won’t get them through law school’s long haul. To succeed in law school it’s essential to cultivate strong, intrinsic motivations that provide you with strength and resilience through late nights spent studying at the library.
