I applied to law school. Even with my terrible UGPA (I was a premed before I switched to prelaw, so just imagine
), somehow, I got in somewhere. Obviously, I didn’t get into the best school. Despite that, I treated law school like this undergrad. I failed out by 1L, coming back home in shame. I worked whatever job I could find. After some years, I eventually reapplied - to the same school. I eventually completed law school. When I graduated, I thought I’d pass and find something quickly. I didn't pass. All of my plans collapsed. On top of that, because of some other issues (unrelated to the exam), I couldn’t retake that exam for several years. If I were to be an attorney soon, I’d have to take another state. In the meantime, I accumulated bills and got into seriously financial issues. What made it worse, I couldn’t pay anything because finding a stable job wasn’t possible. I got taken to court, accumulated judgments.
I eventually got a job that could pay for expenses. It was a non-legal job, but beggars can't be choosers. I however started to pay back whatever I could. But I got stuck in (repeater) “bar exam hell.” At one point, I had missed my state by a few points, but I did ask around my classmates elsewhere if they knew who was hiring. A couple gave me some job leads, and I was good. So now, I had a prospective job but no license.
Once I knew I didn’t need to take another exam, I spent much of my energy paying back the debts I accumulated. I settled where I could, paid the balances where I couldn’t. I made sure I systematically eliminated them. I also regularly sent documentation of this. Of course the NCBE took its sweet time - 7 months. Apparently, it sat on my file. Couldn’t do a thing about it but wait.
My file was handed over to the state Board. I got called for an interview (expected due to my history). I was a nervous wreck. I basically thought I bombed it. Before I left for home, in complete panic mode, I later wrote a detailed letter, making the case that I would’ve were I not so nervous. Went back home thinking I wrecked my chances again. I was told I’d hear from the Board in a few weeks. A month went by - nothing - which only reinforced that.
So I emailed the Board. I was told I’d be admitted. Today marks just over 11 months since I sent my application. I’ve been out of the legal field for a bit, but that can be made up in no time. In short:
1. Plan, plan, plan - and act on it.
2. It’s the future that matters, not your past.
3. Don’t ever give up.
It’s possible. You’ve got this. If this could give inspiration to one person, my job is complete.
Did I say "don’t give up". I don't think I made that clear
My $.02
