Debating Going to Law School Forum

[zimmejs]

Posted this on one of the other boards but wanted to post here as well hoping for some more feedback...


Here's my situation. I work as an engineer for a construction company and have been doing so for about 4.5 years now ever since I graduated undergrad. I have thought about going to law school and trying to practice construction law but am really having a hard time weighing the pros & cons and am looking for any advice that could help in making my decision. Here's some more background info.

I am 27 now (single, no kids) and am applying for schools to start in Fall 2013. I am currently signed up for June and October '12 LSATS. Testing around 150 on practice tests with a few months of casual studying (I also work +/- 50 hours a week so there just aren't enough hours in the day to devote to studying, even when I do get off work I can only focus and be productive for so long before I start to get off track). Anyway, my ultimate goal is to work in either DC or NYC. Having spent time in both I can see myself living in either one. I am stuck in Georgia right now, and due to the uncertainty with my job, am forced to relocate every 2-3 years (some places are much better than others obviously). I would like to attend school either around DC or a state school in Georgia (state school purely for financial reasons). I have saved enough that I could pay for 1, maybe 2 years on my own, but that would completely deplete my savings. I have never worked in a law office but have always been a strong writer, and enjoy dealing with contracts (a large part of my everyday job). Obviously, I am hesitant to make such a big comittment without knowing exactly what I am getting myself into. I have talked to some people in the field, and I pretty much hear the pros and cons, but ultimately "it's your decision".

Pros -
1. Would work in a field that would challenge me to think more (in other words, I enjoy being around educated people, which right now I am not).
2. Would give me a broad range of experience to fall back on (I feel like even if I am not able to get a job in law upon graduation I will be able to use my previous work experience to find something.
3. Would give me a much better chance of ending up in either DC or NYC, which is where I ultimately want to spend my working years.

Cons -
1. Not 100% sure I will enjoy practicing law.
2. Financial concern. I have no debt right now and have to consider where I will be in 3 years if I have to take out student loans in lieu of continuing to save for 3 more years.
3. Poor/uncertain job market. This is my main concern, especially with the number of grads who will be entering the workforce in the next 3 years.

So...with all that info, what are the realities I am facing?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

[kalvano]

This is 100% the wrong forum for this.

http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 3&t=170599

If you're a 0L wanting advice from current law students, we've set up a new forum just for you, which you can find here: http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=4

It's called "Ask a Law Student", and it's a place for 0Ls to ask current law students questions without disturbing the "Students and Graduates" forums. Post all your questions there, including about things like classes, grades, transferring, employment, etc. Please do not continue posting your questions here in the Students and Graduates forums, as doing so might get you banned and/or your thread locked.

Thank you for your understanding.

[TTTLS]

Don't ask us... we're in finals right now!

[Extension_Cord]

I personally enjoy some aspects of law school, but its really not worth it imo.

[Mad Hatter]

1. GPA?
2. Sounds to me like you may be a better fit for Business School, it pretty much fills all your conditions. Is there a reason why you want law school in particular?