Law school can be an impactful way of contributing to solving global challenges; however, it’s not for everyone.
Numbers don’t tell the whole story; applicants shouldn’t rely on US News & World Report rankings alone as the sole criteria to decide where they attend law school. They should instead consider why they want to pursue this endeavor and ask themselves why.
What do I want to do with my degree?
Law school is a three-year graduate professional degree programme for legal professionals; most US law students enrol in Juris Doctor (JD) programs. Therefore, those considering going to law school should carefully consider their future career plans before undertaking such an intensive academic endeavor. It would be prudent for prospective law students to begin planning for law school at undergraduate school level by speaking to a pre-law advisor and taking classes that pertain directly to legal careers – subjects like English literature, history, political science economics and business would likely prove invaluable when studying JD programs.
Additionally, those interested in going to law school should research various fields of practice or types of legislation and regulation they might wish to specialize in, to help narrow their search for law schools accordingly. This can also give them insight into what type of lawyer they would like to become.
An excellent starting point for research into law schools is the American Bar Association’s law school rankings, which provide an in-depth view of student and alumni outcomes. By consulting these rankings, prospective law students can assess their chances of admission with various undergraduate GPA and LSAT score combinations; admissions “predictor” calculators also exist online that can give an estimated chance of acceptance to various schools and assess postgraduate job prospects across them all.
Decision-making about law school requires having an obvious plan for how it would fit with your career aspirations and possessing strong verbal reasoning and writing abilities; otherwise it might not provide enough capital for more senior roles in business leadership positions.
Anyone lacking strong verbal reasoning and writing abilities should carefully consider if law school is right for them, or alternatively explore options like enrolling in a PhD programme with more social impact. Before enrolling, one should carefully consider all costs related to attending law school including living expenses and moving costs as well as potential delays or sacrificed opportunities associated with doing so.
What is the job market like?
Law graduates may find the job market daunting, and landing employment as new lawyers requires strong academic credentials (e.g. an outstanding undergraduate GPA and LSAT score). But landing one can require extensive work – this process may wreak havoc on one’s finances and wellbeing; to help navigate it effectively it may help speaking with lawyers about their career paths or shadowing or interning attorneys from various fields in order to gain an idea of a typical day for legal practice.
As previously stated, your choice of law school can depend on what field you want to practice in. For instance, if you wish to become an advocate or work at a nonprofit organization, schools that have strong programs in these areas might be worth looking at; similarly if corporate work or prosecution are key elements for you then schools with strong relationships with local industries would likely be optimal choices.
At your prospective law school, another factor to take into account is what kind of student culture you want. Some law schools feature more competitive environments that suit certain students who thrive under pressure while in the company of peers with similar goals; on the other hand, this constant pressure and competition may take its toll on mental health and happiness.
Last, but certainly not least, you must determine whether your prospective law school can equip you with the aptitudes that will enable you to solve pressing problems effectively. These aptitudes include analytical reasoning, distillation, pragmatic thinking and written and oral communication – should there be no other avenue through which these can be developed other than law school it might be more advantageous for you to pursue another degree.
How do I prepare for law school?
No matter if you are considering law school as a high schooler, undergraduate student or adult professional – there are several things you can do to prepare yourself for this academically demanding experience. First and foremost is making sure your GPA is high enough for acceptance into college – then taking either the LSAT or newer GRE tests in order to be considered for admissions considerations.
Your undergraduate education is where you’ll start developing the necessary skills for law school. Speak to the career counselor in your undergraduate school and enroll in various courses that will enhance your transcript and build skills needed for law school admissions. There’s no single path leading towards law school admissions, though majoring in areas that will assist lawyers such as political science, English literature, business or STEM studies could prove fruitful in making that dream of yours come true! Finding something you enjoy studying will only further your goals of attending law school – find something you love doing to build networks within that industry as you advance your own career goals!
Make sure you participate in extracurricular activities that will set you apart as an applicant. Law schools value well-rounded students with experience outside the classroom in areas like research and writing – volunteerism, internships or public service can all help set students apart as applicants. Furthermore, be sure to seek letters of recommendation from professors who know your abilities well, vouching for you as a hard-working and reliable student when making your application.
As well as academic preparation, it is also crucial that you think about the costs associated with law school. While tuition may not be inexpensive, living near your desired law school may prove expensive – unless you can afford it yourself without taking out educational loans.
Finally, when considering which kind of law you want to practice, as there are various fields available. Selecting a school that specializes in your chosen type will allow you to gain experience and knowledge in this particular field, giving you an advantage when looking for employment after graduation.
What is the cost of law school?
When considering law school, costs may be an overwhelming concern. An average law student leaves with debt and tuition expenses are steadily rising. But there are ways to decrease law school expenses while still receiving quality instruction.
One key thing you should keep in mind when researching law schools is that tuition only makes up part of their expenses. Be mindful of fees, books, and living costs before making your choice. Doing your research beforehand is key!
Additionally, consider the career prospects of graduates of a particular law school. Certain institutions have an excellent history of placing graduates with large corporate firms – this may be important if your ultimate goal is to work as a corporate lawyer.
Remember that law school can be extremely demanding. Your grade for many courses will often depend on how well you perform on final exams; as such, be ready to devote much of your time outside class reading, studying, and preparing for them.
One way you can manage stress during your first year of law school is by engaging in extracurricular activities – whether 1Ls and upperclassmen alike! Not only will extracurriculars make a great impression on your resume; groups like moot court and law review allow you to network outside the classroom setting as well.
Though law school costs may seem daunting, they’re absolutely worth the investment if you want to pursue a legal career. Just keep your goals in mind and find a way to make law school financially manageable – after all, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Barack Obama, and Mahatma Gandhi all went through law school and have accomplished incredible things for their respective communities – you too can do great things with hard work, determination, and integrity!
