Yet another "should I drop out" thread Forum

[jdelusional1]

Hello TLS. I'm a long time viewer of the forums and used to post under a different username back when I was applying to schools. I hate to return to the site to discuss dropping out, but I would really appreciate others' perspective (other than parents, classmates, etc.) on my current predicament:

I finished my 1L year at a T2 with median grades (except for an A grade in LRW). Throughout the year, I became increasingly disinterested in my coursework, LRW assignments (my grade notwithstanding), and the law in general. The thought of slogging through two more years of classes is horrifying, especially with my median grades and the dim job prospects I now have because of them.

Also, I recently found out that in addition to middling grades, I did not write onto any of my school's journals (LR or secondary). I had hoped at the very least I could parlay my LRW grade + journal experience into a small firm litigation job. Now I fear that employers will see my LRW grade and think it is an aberration, especially since a majority of people who participate in write-on in my school at least get selected for a secondary journal. Not sure wtf happened with write-on (I reviewed my submission again and strongly suspect a formatting error disqualified it) but there's nothing I can do about it except move on.

I'm still thinking things over but If someone forced me to make a decision right now, I would probably drop out. The only things keeping me in law school are the following:

1.) I will be able to graduate debt-free (scholarship). I also have no undergraduate debt. My frugality is my one saving grace.
2.) I have a basket-weaving liberal arts undergrad degree that isn't going to open any doors.
3.) I'm terrified of the repercussions of dropping out (see #2).
4.) As much as I dislike law school, I actually kind of like some of the legal work I have done both before school as a paralegal and presently in my 1L internship. I'd be lying if I said law was my passion but there definitely are worse ways to make a living IMO.

If you were in my shoes, what would you do?

[FSK]

If I were you and had no fears, I would figure out how to go get a second bachelors in something useful. For me, that would be computer science.

[Danger Zone]

If I were you and had no fears, I would figure out how to go get a second bachelors in something useful. For me, that would be computer science.

Before I shell out this kinda money for another degree, I'd consider staying. You have a free ride. You don't mind actually working in a legal job (which is fairly different from being a law student). Your A shows that you have potential, and we have an interviewer on this board who said, of two people with the same GPA, he'd rather pick the guy with the A than with straight B+'s and A-'s. You don't need journal to get a decent job.

To work on: get on your mock interviewing game. As soon as career services offers it, take it. The more interviews you can do the better. Especially if you can do them with real attorneys. See if your CSO will set it up. You can get a good 2L summer job this way even with mediocre grades and no journal, it will just be really tough.

[dudley12]

this is one of the strangest trolling attempts I've ever seen

[rpupkin]

If you were in my shoes, what would you do?

Given that you've got a full scholarship, I wouldn't necessarily drop out. A few more questions are in order:

1. Do you like the city/region your law school is in? Do you want to live and work there?

2. You mentioned trying to find work at a "small litigation" firm. Not a bad idea, but are there a lot of those firms in the city you're in? And do they hire grads right out of school?

[Danger Zone]

this is one of the strangest trolling attempts I've ever seen

Fuck off hivemind, this thread seems legit.

[Johann]

A free legal degree is probably worth sticking out. There are plenty of non legal compliance jobs that pay decently in big cities if it turns out you hate law. Computer science as a second major and back to undergrad would also be cool if you can stomach that risk. I think the safest long term play is get the jd as long as you think there are some legal jobs that interest you or you'd be fine with a career in compliance (9-5, not much brain power, fat, dumb bosses, but a steady pay check at a big corp with decent benis).

[NYSprague]

Your grades aren't an issue at this point.

Can you get experience in some specific area ? Find a firm to clerk for that might hire you?

Who gets jobs from your school? Great grades might not have saved you anyway.

[heavoldgotjuice]

Might as well get into bartending. it's all downhill for you jonas

[dudley12]

this is one of the strangest trolling attempts I've ever seen

Fuck off hivemind, this thread seems legit.

read the OP again

[rpupkin]

this is one of the strangest trolling attempts I've ever seen

Fuck off hivemind, this thread seems legit.

read the OP again

I'm afraid you're going to have to spell it out for me. I'm slow.

[Danger Zone]

this is one of the strangest trolling attempts I've ever seen

Fuck off hivemind, this thread seems legit.

read the OP again

You don't believe that law students are actually this neurotic/ill informed?

[ymmv]

If I were you and had no fears, I would figure out how to go get a second bachelors in something useful. For me, that would be computer science.

Lolwut. Comp sci majors are lining up at the homeless shelters these days. "Something useful" is basically just accounting and biomedical engineering anymore.

[jdelusional1]

this is one of the strangest trolling attempts I've ever seen

I'm not a troll, although I realize me saying I'm not one it is not going to change your mind.

If you were in my shoes, what would you do?

Given that you've got a full scholarship, I wouldn't necessarily drop out. A few more questions are in order:

1. Do you like the city/region your law school is in? Do you want to live and work there?

2. You mentioned trying to find work at a "small litigation" firm. Not a bad idea, but are there a lot of those firms in the city you're in? And do they hire grads right out of school?

1.) Yes. I chose the law school b/c it is in the region (w/out getting too specific, the northeast) where I want to practice.

2.) Probably more than in most places due to the large population in the northeast. Then again, the northeast is so saturated with attorneys and law grads that it probably cancels out the greater number of firms.

[dudley12]

this is one of the strangest trolling attempts I've ever seen

Fuck off hivemind, this thread seems legit.

read the OP again

You don't believe that law students are actually this neurotic/ill informed?

It seems apparent to me, both from his post and his comments, that the OP has a strong writing ability. how could he miss every journal? formatting mistakes are only worth a couple of points

[Danger Zone]

It seems apparent to me, both from his post and his comments, that the OP has a strong writing ability. how could he miss every journal? formatting mistakes are only worth a couple of points

Strong finish, seems like you were the troll the whole time.

I know at my school at least all the best writers are on journal and have great jobs lined up.

That was sarcasm.

[jdelusional1]

I probably should have clarified in my OP that by formatting, I did not mean bluebooking. Rather, I meant the organization/format in which the case comment had to be submitted to the LR. The LR at my school gave a detailed list of instructions in submitting the case comment (what to name the file, what format to save it in, how many lines per page, etc.) and not following of any of those rules is enough to disqualify a submission from consideration. After reviewing what I sent in again, I realized that I accidentally violated one of those rules, but I do not know for sure whether that was reason I did not get selected (though I strongly suspect it).

[dudley12]

I probably should have clarified in my OP that by formatting, I did not mean bluebooking. Rather, I meant the organization/format in which the case comment had to be submitted to the LR. The LR at my school gave a detailed list of instructions in submitting the case comment (what to name the file, what format to save it in, how many lines per page, etc.) and not following of any of those rules is enough to disqualify a submission from consideration. After reviewing what I sent in again, I realized that I accidentally violated one of those rules, but I do not know for sure whether that was reason I did not get selected (though I strongly suspect it).

which rule did you violate?

[jdelusional1]

I probably should have clarified in my OP that by formatting, I did not mean bluebooking. Rather, I meant the organization/format in which the case comment had to be submitted to the LR. The LR at my school gave a detailed list of instructions in submitting the case comment (what to name the file, what format to save it in, how many lines per page, etc.) and not following of any of those rules is enough to disqualify a submission from consideration. After reviewing what I sent in again, I realized that I accidentally violated one of those rules, but I do not know for sure whether that was reason I did not get selected (though I strongly suspect it).

which rule did you violate?

At the risk of giving away my identity to classmates who may be on this site, I'd rather not say. It was a stupid mistake that violated a silly rule that IMO really should have had no bearing on my selection to journals.

[Nebby]

Stay in school.

[rpupkin]

1. Do you like the city/region your law school is in? Do you want to live and work there?

2. You mentioned trying to find work at a "small litigation" firm. Not a bad idea, but are there a lot of those firms in the city you're in? And do they hire grads right out of school?

1.) Yes. I chose the law school b/c it is in the region (w/out getting too specific, the northeast) where I want to practice.

2.) Probably more than in most places due to the large population in the northeast. Then again, the northeast is so saturated with attorneys and law grads that it probably cancels out the greater number of firms.

I'd stay in school. Start cold emailing alumni of your school that work in these small litigation firms. Ask (politely, of course) if they have time to talk with you and offer some advice. Although nothing will come of most of these conversations, it just takes one person who likes you (or has a need) for it to pay off.

As another poster suggested, I wouldn't worry too much about your median grades. At schools like yours, those at the very top of the class are really helped by their grades, and those at the very bottom are usually hurt. But outside those extremes, I don't think one's grades matter that much for regional small law. Hustle and personality are going to matter a lot more.

Similarly, don't worry about your lack of a law journal. Again, for the kind of job you're looking for, most potential employers aren't going to care (or even notice). While your classmates are bluebooking and editing garbage, you've got some extra time. Use that time to join a professional organization or association that consists primarily of local attorneys but that also welcomes law students.

You're debt free and seem to like law. You're better off than most. Good luck.