Should I go to lawschool? Forum

[run2flyfree]

Hello, I am a non-URM senior in college. I have a sub 2.9 LSAC g.p.a. (lower graduating university g.p.a.) in Political Science and Management from a big state school with a 166 LSAT. I currently have a three or four competitive offers(15k or less tuition) from regional law schools (think Minnesota, William and Mary, Irvine) where I would be able to graduate debt free from savings. I have been interested in becoming a lawyer but I keep hearing horrible things about the job market.

Thus, I'm not sure that I really want to go to law school, but it seems like the only option for a long-term career out of college. With my g.p.a. I can't really think of another graduate program or job path I can take that will allow me to pursue a business career. Most jobs I see require a 3.0 or higher and while my extracurriculars are above average(president of a large club, ran a collegiate model un conference), I don't see them pulling me into a career. I feel trapped into going to law school, even though it might not be a reasonable career to enter into even debt free.

When talking about opportunities I feel its prudent to always think about the opportunity cost. However, I can't see much of an opportunity cost in going to law school, even though my heart really might not be in going. I think I could graduate with a decent graduate degree, debt free in three years. Is there a flaw in my thinking? I'm not that certain I would even practice law coming out of law school, yet I can't really see many other opportunities for me to explore.

I don't really want to talk to other people about this because I have been pretty gung-ho about going to law school, yet my fears of going are still there. I'll gun my 1st year to get positions but right now I just feel trapped in going to law school due to it being one of the most split friendly options for me right now.

Thanks, for reading. I posted off of a dummy account because I really don't want my other account exposed.

[Tiago Splitter]

When you say you'd pay with savings, are you saying you've accumulated six figures in savings or that your family will pay for law school anywhere? Either way you should find a job, any job, for a year and get your LSAT up a few more points. Then if law school is still on your mind consider a T-14. None of the schools you're currently accepted at are worth it at those prices.

[CanadianWolf]

Work for 2 or 3 years then get an MBA & enjoy a profitable career. Why endure 3 years of law school & law school expenses only to enter into a over-saturated profession rife with depression ?

[hdunlop]

Get a job. The real world is actually kind of fun. Then go later if you feel compelled.

[kd5]

I have been interested in becoming a lawyer but I keep hearing horrible things about the job market.

Thus, I'm not sure that I really want to go to law school, but it seems like the only option for a long-term career out of college.

How interested are you in being a lawyer? If you weren't concentrating on how you think your UG grades might limit you, are there other careers you're interested in? Do you have undergrad debt? I guarantee you that law school isn't your only option.

The job market isn't great for most fields right now, but at least most fields won't leave you in significant debt before you even start working (assuming you get a job).

[run2flyfree]

When you say you'd pay with savings, are you saying you've accumulated six figures in savings or that your family will pay for law school anywhere? Either way you should find a job, any job, for a year and get your LSAT up a few more points. Then if law school is still on your mind consider a T-14. None of the schools you're currently accepted at are worth it at those prices.

I have roughly 100k in savings due to a rather successful few years of poker before Black Friday.

Additionally I'm not really too apt to retaking unless, I feel it will bump my scholarship costs at a regional since I'm not looking to attend a T14 at sticker or near sticker.

Work for 2 or 3 years then get an MBA & enjoy a profitable career. Why endure 3 years of law school & law school expenses only to enter into a over-saturated profession rife with depression ?

What are some jobs though that you can get an MBA from in 2-3 years that will hire a sub 2.6 undergrad g.p.a.? I didn't even take hard classes really. Thats my problem with opportunity costs, I can't really see a high opportunity cost job in the future with my shitty undergrad performance.

[CanadianWolf]

Work for a few years in any industry that is of interest to you, then apply to MBA school. Most MBA schools like applicants to have between 2 & 5 years of post-college work experience. Some industries that hire are stock brokerage firms & insurance agencies & insurance companies. Any type of work (even entry level sales & fast-food mgnt. training) should help you to form a clearer picture of your professional aspirations.

[Tiago Splitter]

Sounds like you're just going to law school to avoid the job market for a few years. Can't say I blame you, but what a waste of 100k.

[Optimist Prime]

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[js123]

If your heart isn't in it, then don't do it! Going to law school just because you can't find a job and think of it as an option is not a good idea at all. If you truly want to be a lawyer, then you shouldn't let the competitive market dissuade you. Jobs are tough to find in a lot of fields. So if you truly want to go into law, then find some employment for now, study and retake. Best of luck to you.

[crazycanuck]

DO NOT GO TO LAW SCHOOL IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE A LAWYER.

Despite what a bunch of Deans who have never worked in business say, a law degree will not open any doors there.

If you want to find out if you want to be a lawyer, work for a year or two as an assistant or paralegal.

Too many people go to law school because they want to be a "professional", wear a suit every day, say they have a "practice", and do "intellectual" work. Then they realize that really that sucks and they hate being a lawyer, are depressed, and have shit loads of debt. Don't be one of those people.

There are all sorts of options and opportunities available that you don't know about. My wife got a sociology degree, and is now working to become a project manager at an engineering company. If you had told her that right after graduation she would have laughed at you. Lots of opportunities open up if you don't spend 3 years spending 250K on a law degree.

[Clyde Frog]

DO NOT GO TO LAW SCHOOL IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE A LAWYER.

Despite what a bunch of Deans who have never worked in business say, a law degree will not open any doors there.

If you want to find out if you want to be a lawyer, work for a year or two as an assistant or paralegal.

Too many people go to law school because they want to be a "professional", wear a suit every day, say they have a "practice", and do "intellectual" work. Then they realize that really that sucks and they hate being a lawyer, are depressed, and have shit loads of debt. Don't be one of those people.

There are all sorts of options and opportunities available that you don't know about. My wife got a sociology degree, and is now working to become a project manager at an engineering company. If you had told her that right after graduation she would have laughed at you. Lots of opportunities open up if you don't spend 3 years spending 250K on a law degree.

Lol I love your info. Never went to law school just here for the laughs.

[crazycanuck]

DO NOT GO TO LAW SCHOOL IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE A LAWYER.

Despite what a bunch of Deans who have never worked in business say, a law degree will not open any doors there.

If you want to find out if you want to be a lawyer, work for a year or two as an assistant or paralegal.

Too many people go to law school because they want to be a "professional", wear a suit every day, say they have a "practice", and do "intellectual" work. Then they realize that really that sucks and they hate being a lawyer, are depressed, and have shit loads of debt. Don't be one of those people.

There are all sorts of options and opportunities available that you don't know about. My wife got a sociology degree, and is now working to become a project manager at an engineering company. If you had told her that right after graduation she would have laughed at you. Lots of opportunities open up if you don't spend 3 years spending 250K on a law degree.

Lol I love your info. Never went to law school just here for the laughs.

Yeah, I was one of the people who wanted to be a "professional" and wear a suit doing "important" work.

What a mistake law school would have been.