Serious Doubts Forum

[asanborn]

To the collective genius of TLS:

I currently am set up to go a T-50 this upcoming fall but I am having serious misgivings about going. My 3.5/163 was not enough to get any scholarship of any worth ($6,700 for one year only) so I will practically be paying sticker (about $40,000 COA for one year). Simply put I abhor the idea of taking about $120,000 in debt at a school that is a pretty strong school but nowhere strong enough to produce the type one career prospects that make taking that much debt on. The school is of the two very similarly ranked schools in the state (only two schools in the state).

On top of my fear of going into that much debt is the fact that I just don't think that a career in law will be something that I could actually enjoy. I love the idea of research, writing and logic but just perusing TLS and talking to attorney's that I know shows that this is just a pipe dream. The reality seems to be usually long hours, stressful or mind-numbing work, to chase a dream that may never actually be reached.

I know that common advice is to take a year off and retake but my question is how much would this help my chances at a top school? I've taken the LSAT twice and first got a 159. But then my second fear/misgiving just makes me think that I should scrap the law school fantasy and pursue other dreams.

Thoughts?

[R86]

1. Retake
2. 170+
3. $$$ or higher ranked school, whichever.

Sounds like you're talking about Boulder, which is where I'm looking as well, so I'm confident in saying that a 170 would get you a much better deal based on my own research. I wouldn't go at that price, though. I think your serious doubts should be taken seriously.

[asanborn]

Actually it's Utah, but I think that it would practically be the same story about scholarships if I were to retake.

[hichvichwoh]

To the collective genius of TLS:

I currently am set up to go a T-50 this upcoming fall but I am having serious misgivings about going. My 3.5/163 was not enough to get any scholarship of any worth ($6,700 for one year only) so I will practically be paying sticker (about $40,000 COA for one year). Simply put I abhor the idea of taking about $120,000 in debt at a school that is a pretty strong school but nowhere strong enough to produce the type one career prospects that make taking that much debt on. The school is of the two very similarly ranked schools in the state (only two schools in the state).

On top of my fear of going into that much debt is the fact that I just don't think that a career in law will be something that I could actually enjoy. I love the idea of research, writing and logic but just perusing TLS and talking to attorney's that I know shows that this is just a pipe dream. The reality seems to be usually long hours, stressful or mind-numbing work, to chase a dream that may never actually be reached.

I know that common advice is to take a year off and retake but my question is how much would this help my chances at a top school? I've taken the LSAT twice and first got a 159. But then my second fear/misgiving just makes me think that I should scrap the law school fantasy and pursue other dreams.

Thoughts?

If you want to do academia...yeah you need to go to a better school

[shoeshine]

Retake and reapply

[Richie Tenenbaum]

I had a ~3.55 and decided to retake for a 3rd time after getting a 163 and a 166. Ended up getting a 174 and decided to reapply. Big jumps can happen if you put in the time and effort. Retaking was one of the smartest decisions ive made in life, at least in terms of significantly reducing what my debt would have been while greatly increasing my career prospects. Even if you only increase your score a couple of points it will be most likely worth it.

[BearState]

What kind of studying have you done for the LSAT?

[Systematic1]

I just don't think that a career in law will be something that I could actually enjoy.

Thoughts?

...so let me get this right, you're going to amass an insane amount of debt to pursue a career in something that you don't think you could actually enjoy? Law school is not for you.

[asanborn]

What kind of studying have you done for the LSAT?

I have taken an LSAT prep course (through my university), worked through the Powerscore Bible Trilogy, and the usual PT's but looking back at my prep I realize that I really didn't devote enough time or effort to really studying as effectively as I could have.

[Nova]

Retake in October. Are you even from Utah?? If not, then definitely do not go with the current offer.

[asanborn]

Retake in October. Are you even from Utah?? If not, then definitely do not go with the current offer.

I am a Utah resident so tution is only $22k.

[R86]

...so let me get this right, you're going to amass an insane amount of debt to pursue a career in something that you don't think you could actually enjoy? Law school is not for you.

So this might not be the place for this, but it's been on my mind so here it goes: why not?

I'm currently working as a mail clerk at a law firm, and I don't enjoy it. It's mindless, easy work, but I wouldn't dare say it's enjoyable.

The attorneys around me, most of them, don't enjoy 99% of what they do. Yet they do it, and enjoy the money they make doing it. Was it wrong for them to go law school, land associate jobs, make partner, and continue their legal careers for all this time?

There are plenty of arguments against going to law school, but this one never sits right with me. First, you can't really know to what extent you'll enjoy doing something until you actually do it. Second, most people alive and most Americans never find their true calling/vocation/or even a job they enjoy. Most people just work to live, not the other way around.

I know that debt is a key factor in all of this, but if OP follows the advice ITT and retakes and has an opportunity to go to law school with a less-than-crushing debt load, I don't see how this argument holds up.

I'm definitely projecting personal thoughts/fears/concerns about my own situation into this, and I'm really curious if I'm completely off base here.

[Nova]

Retake in October. Are you even from Utah?? If not, then definitely do not go with the current offer.

I am a Utah resident so tution is only $22k.

Not bad then... I say go for it!

Still, you could possibly save tens of thousands of dollars by waiting a year and retaking. It's up to you.

[gaud]

Retake is TCR. I went 159-164-170.

A year off is absolutely worth the money you'll save both initially and what it'll look like after interest.

[Dany]

To the collective genius of TLS:

I currently am set up to go a T-50 this upcoming fall but I am having serious misgivings about going. My 3.5/163 was not enough to get any scholarship of any worth ($6,700 for one year only) so I will practically be paying sticker (about $40,000 COA for one year). Simply put I abhor the idea of taking about $120,000 in debt at a school that is a pretty strong school but nowhere strong enough to produce the type one career prospects that make taking that much debt on. The school is of the two very similarly ranked schools in the state (only two schools in the state).

On top of my fear of going into that much debt is the fact that I just don't think that a career in law will be something that I could actually enjoy. I love the idea of research, writing and logic but just perusing TLS and talking to attorney's that I know shows that this is just a pipe dream. The reality seems to be usually long hours, stressful or mind-numbing work, to chase a dream that may never actually be reached.

I know that common advice is to take a year off and retake but my question is how much would this help my chances at a top school? I've taken the LSAT twice and first got a 159. But then my second fear/misgiving just makes me think that I should scrap the law school fantasy and pursue other dreams.

Thoughts?

I will put this as bluntly as I can:

DO. NOT. GO.

Law school will always be there. Why in god's name would you go $120k into debt for something you're not even sure you want? And at a school that you're (very wisely) not thrilled with the employment prospects at? Take time off, figure out what you want to do with your life, retake if necessary, but please do not make the huge mistake of going to law school just because you've gotten accepted to one.

[Systematic1]

I'm really curious if I'm completely off base here.

I agree to some extent. Work is work, it's not necessarily supposed to be enjoyable, and of course people are going to bitch about it. However, at the end of the day, a career is something that should be enjoyable. By the way, I'm viewing career in a holistic sense. Money, lifestyle, and line of work should all be considered. If the attorneys at your firm enjoy the money, I would suggest they enjoy their careers, at least relative to other lower paying occupations.

First, you can't really know to what extent you'll enjoy doing something until you actually do it.

Maybe not, but you can get a pretty damn good idea. Do a little research. OP has already mentioned the long hours and stressful mind-numbing work. Some people can handle this, others will be miserable.

Overall, the only thing OP mentions in favor of law is his love of research, writing, and logic. There are plenty of careers that can put those interests to good use. Careers that don't require long hours, mind-numbing work, or taking on massive debt.

Don't go to law school OP.

[nygrrrl]

I will put this as bluntly as I can:

DO. NOT. GO.

Law school will always be there. Why in god's name would you go $120k into debt for something you're not even sure you want? And at a school that you're (very wisely) not thrilled with the employment prospects at? Take time off, figure out what you want to do with your life, retake if necessary, but please do not make the huge mistake of going to law school just because you've gotten accepted to one.

Dany put this a lot more bluntly than I would have (!) but... yeah. Don't do this. Take some time off, work for a while, put some money in the bank. Study for the LSAT (there are fantastic prep threads on here and terrific advice!) and then take it again. Law school... yeah, don't do this unless you really want it. Best of luck.