Current/recent law students: are you happy or unhappy that you went and why? Forum

[lunixer]

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[Johann]

it all depends on your alternative options. i graduated undergrad in 2008/09 so i was economy fucked. i worked decently hard in law school, but it was on my own terms and scheduling. law school wasnt a 3 year party, but it was better than working and allowed me to avoid the workforce.

i dont like my job and would probably leave law if i had a decent alternative. so, i regret not pursuing a different career path. but the investment will be worth it if i can somehow settle into a decent position in the next 5 years. you cant look at the first 5 years of a career and judge a career investment on that. because i was economy fucked i dont really regret my choice, though i wish i chose something else involving more creativity. biglaw is a lot like accounting and doesnt involve as much creativity as i thought it would, which is where my disdain comes from.

[unfinishedthough]

I'm still a 1L, but I'm happy so far. I've never been surrounded by a group of people I get along with more readily, tbh. The first year classes are basic but interesting and I feel intellectually stimulated. Doing very well first semester doesn't hurt. It's not as much work as I was anticipating (I worked full time for about 5 years before coming back to school), but enough to keep you more than busy while still being able to have a social life. Even networking events aren't the actual hell I expected. Pleased with my decision to come (I was very back and forth about it before taking the leap).

ETA: Lower T14

[JFO1833]

My experience if very similar to lunixer, I was out for a number of years before entering a CCN. I think it is a good idea to take the time to consider if you want to be a lawyer and if law school is the right direction for you before enrolling.

If you know you want to pursue this career path (which admittedly no one can know with 100% percent certainty) that confidence will make 1L year much less stressful and much more successful.

If you spend 1L year thinking about how you regret going to law school it will be absolute hell, on the other hand if you want to be in law school you will be more motivated and better able to do well when things get hard.

If you aren't sure you shouldn't hesitate to take an extra year or two or three to do any of the following:

1. Learn more about what law school will be like
2. Learn more about what being a lawyer will be like
3. Try out other possible career paths

Good luck!

[lunixer]

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[03152016]

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[A. Nony Mouse]

I've also heard that the schools that I have been accepted into are all marketing (only applied to T14 schools) and that I shouldn't believe what they say.

What does this mean exactly?

[stego]

Thanks all.

I'm pretty sure I'll regret my decision regardless of which one I make, so I'm more thinking about career-wise. I've had lots of current/recent students tell me that it's a stupid career path -- that everyone hates their job and there is no real prestige and that it's better to spend the $300,000 and 3-5 years on the (very cushy federal job) career that I already have. I've also heard that the schools that I have been accepted into are all marketing (only applied to T14 schools) and that I shouldn't believe what they say. Any input on that front?

ETA: I am 100% certain that I will never be able to replicate how well I did this cycle. If I'm going to go to law school it has to be now.

did you ask Harvard if they would let you defer for a year?

[lunixer]

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[lunixer]

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[Nebby]

First year: This is exciting!!! I love learning the law.
Second year: This is okay. Writing a note and having it published is legit, and being able to focus my studies on classes I care about is great.
Third year: Get me the fuck out of here I just want to start working. Shoot me

[lunixer]

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[lunixer]

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[03152016]

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[03152016]

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[Nebby]

Who the fuck has a burning desire to be a lawyer? For god's sake, brut

[lunixer]

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[lunixer]

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[Hikikomorist]

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[Nebby]

You should basically ignore everything the schools tell you. I spoke with a kid at ASW and he talked about the dual degree options that admissions was shucking, and I told him that it's a waste of money and you can do anything you want solely with the JD (unless you're gunning for some lousy C-level office but this person wasn't)

[Nebby]

OP I am too lazy to search. Did you get more money from NYU? Did you get more money from other schools?

[03152016]

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[lunixer]

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[lunixer]

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[Nebby]

I will say that you will have career opportunities that are unimaginable at your current job. You'll be fine going in and out of your 9to5 for the next 3 decades, but as a lawyer from a place like HLS, you could really carve out a path that is much more dynamic and worthwhile than your current path.