Comments on: FAQ: Should I Go to Law School?

By: Christine Dorval

Christine Dorval — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:06:03 +0000

hey many ppl say that law school is not worth it because of the debt you acquired… but get this if your parents are willing to pay for all your study ( i know ,lucky) but would it be worth it then to actually finish your degree ? i mean right now i have a partial cheap job at the govt but i see lawyer everyday there that makes $100 000 per year… im not sure if its my BIG passion in life but i like analyzing and researching shit so i wouldnt mind and would actually quite enjoy the job i think…

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 02:15:31 +0000

So there are oppurtunities in IP law. What about tax law?

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 18:23:57 +0000

Unfortunately for me, I doubt I have the drive, but cannot just let it go! Perusing LS curriculums has convinced me there are so many required skills that I have no desire to learn. Yet…

By: Nick

Nick — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 21:46:17 +0000

I graduated from law school last year. Had I known everything I do now prior to starting, I may not have gone at all. My income is far lower than I was led to believe it would be, the debt is much greater than I had anticipated, and the work isn’t the fulfilling experience I thought it was going to be. That’s not to say I’m unhappy, but there is certainly a lot more stress involved that can make the work week pretty grueling sometimes.

I was lucky to even find the job I did, relying on a friend with a good connection as opposed to the strength of my resume. While I’m confident I’m on a path that will allow me some degree of financial prosperity in the future, I will have to struggle through some severe financial limitations for a while before I get there.

If you are thinking of going to law school simply because you’re uncertain of what you want to do with your life, I can’t emphasize enough that you should NOT go. If however, you are confident that you’re meant for a career in the legal field, I would say do it, but put in your due diligence first. Research the crap out of the schools, be skeptical of any stats the schools provide to you in their literature, research all of your finance options and prepare yourself to budget your life for three years. Also, if you are living with your parents, maybe consider taking a year to make some connections or earn some experience at law offices. Acclimate yourself with what the legal field is really all about (law professors do not give you any idea of this). If after thoroughly preparing yourself and doing some research you’re still committed to law school, I wish you the best of luck… and have just a few more words of advice.

Do all you can to force yourself to think of your first year of school as your first year of your career, as opposed to your 5th year of college. Focus and commitment and hard work will pay off. Get the best grades you can, seek out the best internships/clerkships you can, and really try to learn all you can. Three years seems like a while, but it goes by quick so don’t worry about having fun and partying like its college. While I definitely would encourage you to make time for yourself to relax and have a little bit of fun here or there, remember the real reason you’re in law school and the value your education can have if you approach it with the right mindset.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 03:11:47 +0000

This is a great article. I am in undergrad right now and am considering law school, but I am not sure if I am up to it. My brother is currently a lawyer and he is insanely smart (he went to Yale) and he has a great job(corporate lawyer), but in this economy that is rare. He also told that unless you get into and graduate from one of the top 15 law schools, it is financial and job wise not worth it to go. As for myself I want to get into public health or something related to government such as working for the state department or or a hospital. However, everyone I talk to always ask, “Does that mean you are going to law school?” I am not sure what to do. I have been taking law classes currently in school and love them, but am I really up for law school, I dont know.

By: phillip jo

phillip jo — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:25:58 +0000

Peace Be With You
I’m sorry to hear that so many of you did not like law. This article speaks truth in the sense that you will not do good in something you don’t feel passionate about. So, figure out what you love to do first. However, for job prospects, in any field, the top 1% will be the most employed. If you went to to a top 3 law school and graduated top 10%, it would be rare for you not to get a job. It all depends how far your willing to go, being aware of your strengths, and have fun. Work is not work if you enjoy it, right?

I hope you all find what you are looking for.

With All Best Wishes
Phillip Jo

By: monstruation.com

monstruation.com — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 07:03:42 +0000

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By: JL

JL — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 05:07:14 +0000

I think prospects for law school graduates depend entirely upon WHERE you go to law school. Yes, the market is bad, but if you’re going to a good enough school, there are still huge bucks to be had.

My older brother is a 2L at Harvard Law School and already has a cushy summer associate job lined up for 2013. He is in the top half of his class, works hard, but still has plenty of time to socialize and stay sane. I everything this coming summer goes well, he will be making over $150,000 at this Boston based firm his first year out of law school. Yes, he’ll be working 60+ hours a week, but that’s INSANE money.

His girlfriend goes to Penn Law. She’s in the top 1/3 of her class, is on law review, and actually was just a summer associate at the same firm, so she’ll be working there after graduation. Again, $150,000+ right out of law school.

Moral of the story: law school is not for most people (myself included…I fall squarely in the “considering law school because I don’t know what else to do with my life and I think I could dominate the LSAT”…articles like this make me realize it probably isn’t worth it).

BUT, if you’ve got the brains and the scores to get into a T14 law school and you’re interested in actually practicing law DO IT.

By: Chef Nusy

Chef Nusy — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 03:49:24 +0000

Well, if I needed something right now…!
I’m in college right now, hustling at a 4.0 GPA towards an AA as a paralegal. I want to be a lawyer, or at least I’m reasonably certain I do. So I decided to go with the “cheap” option of becoming a paralegal, working in a law firm, and if I do still want the “big desk”, I’ll go for it. Right now, all I found out during my first few major-related courses are: 1) The law is the most amazing thing. Ever. 2) Corpus Juris Secundum is the perfect bedtime reading. It’s fascinating for the first two pages, then puts you to sleep like nothing else. 3) If I’m sailing through legal research and writing courses as I am, maybe it’s not that bad a career idea. 4) The final responsibility towards your state Bar Association, not only for your conduct, but your paralegals, clerks, secretaries, and whatever other employees you work with, is extremely scary. Reconsider.
Thanks for the great article!

By: Kurt Keller

Kurt Keller — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 23:53:34 +0000

One thing I do have to add to the point that Brett made about “seeing what a practicing law really is.” It’s probably one of the best pieces of advice I’ve seen, and I do plan to go to go to Law School eventually. I would suggest going to the courthouse a few times.

While Court makes up around 5% of real legal work it certainly helps. Also many DA offices have unpaid internships for undergrad students (they mainly deal with victim prep, etc.). For Example, the York County DA has an undergrad internship program and are always looking for “free labor”.

Just my two cents, and I’m an unemployed High School senior.