Top Law Schools

I know there have been a lot of these lately, but it's tough out there.

I am 1L at Wake Forest with grades that place me at about the 60th percentile. No idea what went wrong with my exams either, even after talking to professors. I was born in NC, live nearby, have many connections in-state, and thus would like to stay in-state, but with the market as bad as it is I'm not sure if it is even worth it. I like my school and classmates, don't get me wrong, but instead of being out there making money, I am spending it.

I am interested in being a lawyer (I think), and career services makes it out like I am in a fine position, but I'm just very skeptical after poring over scamlaw blogs/forums for two years and now seeing how difficult the market really is.

As for debt, I am taking a little under $60,000 over three years total. Also, I really want to work in a bigger city (+100,000 pop.), at least to start off.

I've given this alot of thought, but I am very interested to hear others' thoughts on the matter. Thanks.

edit: for clarity

Top half of the class with a semester to improve? Less than 60k total debt for ls? As long as you actually want to be a lawyer, I see no compelling need to drop out.

Because your debt is so low, I recommend you at least tough it out for another semester and attempt to improve your grades.

SBL wrote:Top half of the class with a semester to improve? Less than 60k total debt for ls? As long as you actually want to be a lawyer, I see no compelling need to drop out.

This.

SBL wrote:Top half of the class with a semester to improve? Less than 60k total debt for ls? As long as you actually want to be a lawyer, I see no compelling need to drop out.

My thoughts EXACTLY. Kind of scary, really.

Going to a t40 and coming out with 60k in debt total is AWESOME.

Kick Butt this semester!!

For clarity: By 60th percentile are you saying your right around top 40% or top 60%?

christmas mouse wrote:For clarity: By 60th percentile are you saying your right around top 40% or top 60%?

Top 60%, also I knew I wasn't getting biglaw coming into it so that's not really an issue, midlaw was my real goal (12-30 person firm).

OP here, well my spirits are considerably better today as I somehow got an OCI interview with a really great firm. Don't know how it happened since they usually prefer top third at least, but I'll admit that it is quite the confidence booster (and I am very aware I have little shot).

Gratz! Good to hear other wake people doing well =)

Stay. The top half is well within reach and your debt should be manageable.

Stick with it. $60k isn't all that bad.

Plus, I don't know how your school works, but there are ways to maximize your chances of good grades your 2L and 3L years. 1L grades seem almost irrelevant given the fact only the very top few % get the fabled summer associate jobs.

My advice: work your ass off next semester and seek out as many uncurved/easy graded classes as possible your last 2 years. I know people who did terribly their first year and have something around a 3.8 (3.0 curve) since then.

Dust yourself off and get your GPA up. The admitted you because they felt you were capable of doing the work. Tweak what you can, but don't quit. You don't want to look back years later and have to second guess your decision to leave. I am praying that I can transfer to Wake after this first year.

Never thought I'd see a "should I drop out?" thread where the answer was so unequivocally "no".

OP here one last time (probably), thanks to everyone, in its own small way this thread was really helped.

Gamecock, good luck and thank you.

...and yeah I can't believe how positive this thread was either, but I will take it.