An advanced law degree can open doors to an influential career path; however, it’s essential that you carefully consider whether this path is the one for you.
Jory Lange, an attorney who files national lawsuits on behalf of consumer interests and food safety issues, suggests that prospective law students carefully consider all their options before enrolling.
1. You have a passion for the law
One obvious motivation for enrolling in law school is if your ultimate goal is to become a lawyer; law school should certainly be worth your hard work and financial investment if this is your chosen path. But before making this commitment, be sure that it truly meets your individual needs by conducting some preliminary research to make sure your choice of school is the appropriate choice.
At this stage, it’s essential to carefully consider your desired employment outcomes, lifestyle preferences and the impact your work will have on society. Furthermore, it’s crucial that you investigate the costs associated with attending law school as they vary greatly across schools – you should also think about possible financing methods which may enable you to pay for law school as soon as possible.
Also, ask yourself whether you possess the qualities required for success in law school. These include having a natural talent for legal thinking (whether or not this has translated to LSAT success), excellent verbal facility and an analytical mind. In addition, be a determined, intelligent, adaptable individual who knows exactly how your law degree will help make a changeful impactful difference in society.
Many students enter law school with an admiration of law that stems from prior experiences. For instance, an investment banker might decide to go back into prosecutorial work; similarly a union rep could use law school as a platform to represent workers. These experiences may provide ample motivation; however it’s important to remember that you will spend three years at law school and you may not always enjoy its tasks.
Evaluation is also key when choosing a law school; you can do this through conversations with personal connections, LinkedIn searches and reading reviews online. Speaking directly with current students, alumni, faculty and administrators provides the most accurate picture.
2. You have a strong academic background
Law school can be an intensive journey that’s not for everyone. You need a solid academic foundation in order to manage the coursework and excel at it; having a good GPA and LSAT scores are critical, but other considerations such as work experience, intellectual rigor and extracurricular activities also play a part. If these elements come together then law school could be an ideal fit.
Academic requirements for law school vary between schools, but generally require at least a bachelor’s degree with a GPA around 3.5 and an LSAT score above 150. Some institutions also impose pre-law requirements like major or credit hour requirements that you should fulfill prior to enrolling in law school. If you’re uncertain whether you fulfill these criteria, speaking to current law students and recent graduates about their experiences might help, while professors might allow you to sit in on classes if asked politely enough.
Before applying for a JD degree, it’s also essential to evaluate your personal circumstances and life goals carefully. Achieving legal expertise requires significant investment – carefully weigh all the potential advantages and disadvantages before making your decision.
If you’re uncertain of your desire to enter law school, it may be helpful to explore careers which would enable you to make a meaningful contribution and command a competitive salary. When researching schools it is also essential that more than just the admitted student profile and alumni outcomes are examined; factors like financial aid packages, faculty access and opportunities for experiential learning all play an integral part of ensuring you enjoy your experience at law school.
3. You’re interested in a career in the public sector
Law school requires hard work and an investment. To be worthwhile, however, law school should only be pursued if your goals align with becoming a practicing lawyer and using your degree to help others. Otherwise it might be wiser to explore alternative paths.
Legal careers can be immensely fulfilling, yet it is essential to remember the legal field is an extremely competitive one. Graduates often struggle to secure employment upon graduating and may receive less pay than is due them – this is especially true of law schools outside the top 14 of US News and World Report rankings; tuition costs may remain comparable but employment rates tend to be much lower at these non-top schools.
If you are uncertain if becoming a lawyer is what you really want to do, Tira Harpaz of CollegeBound Advice suggests speaking to someone already practicing or getting some legal experience first. She suggests asking to sit in on classes at various law schools so you can see if that fits best with what interests you.
Many students pursue law school because they believe it will bring prestige and higher wages, but these may not be strong enough to keep you going through late nights at the library or long commutes to work. Instead, identify intrinsic motivators that will fuel your success and help make wiser choices throughout life – this way your law school experience won’t go to waste! This way you’ll stay focused on career goals while making sure every moment counts towards reaching them!
4. You’re willing to take on debt
Tuition costs vary widely by school location and, while you may qualify for scholarships or financial aid to cover these costs, tuition alone often isn’t enough to cover them all – many law students also incur debt to cover living expenses and other associated costs.
Before making a decision about law school attendance, it’s essential to thoroughly consider all costs involved. Beyond tuition payments, living expenses, textbook costs, and LSAT exam fees must all be factored in. Also important: each law school often has different fee structures so always consult an admissions counselor in regards to specific costs involved with each program.
Remember that employment prospects cannot be guaranteed and many law graduates end up lamenting their decision to attend, particularly if they attended a school with lower than average job placement rates or that does not place many graduates with large law firms.
Some individuals feel law school is both morally and spiritually fulfilling for them, often studying religion and the law in college or formally before dedicating themselves to helping and educating others.
On top of that, some individuals pursue law school simply because it is their career goal, regardless of any potential consequences. While this approach is valid, remembering the difficulty in finding employment after graduating law school and potential debt accumulation should also be kept in mind.
5. You’re willing to work hard
Are You Thinking About Becoming a Lawyer? If that is your goal, the work required of law school will likely prove more challenging than undergraduate studies, due to increased workload and grading systems that often depend on final exam grades for most or even all of a semester’s grade – an experience which many law students find to be much more arduous.
Selecting your law school with care is also important for job opportunities; having attended a top-ranked law school on your resume could open doors at larger firms or secure high-profile legal roles, which is one reason many who want to enter public service or work at government agencies seek prestigious law schools as they attend them.
Although less-than-recognized law schools may not boast top rankings, you still may find yourself successful if you research them based on more objective criteria such as financial aid packages and admitted student data. Make an effort to get acquainted with all aspects of a law school – its programs, alumni network and type of community it fosters – to determine whether it would be a suitable match. Consider speaking to current or recent graduates, visiting the campus and sitting in on classes (some professors will permit this if you ask politely in advance). By taking your time in doing your research, you can find an institution that fits you well and makes pursuing a law degree worthwhile.
