Legal degrees come at a steep cost. And though schools boast impressive job placement statistics for graduates, it can be hard to ascertain the true worth of legal education.
Pursuing a law degree takes considerable effort, from fulfilling undergraduate requirements to studying for standardized tests and making the three-year commitment required for law school. But is it worth your while?
Costs
Law school costs can quickly add up. On top of tuition payments, additional expenses include books that may cost thousands each year and living costs; how much you spend depends on where and how you want to live comfortably.
Your chosen type of law practice can play an integral role in determining the value of your education. Some careers are more lucrative than others; therefore, it’s wise to do your research prior to making any commitments. While you may not know for certain until law school starts or during studies what kind of lawyering interests you most, establishing this early will allow you to select an institution which will give you optimal career opportunities.
One of the cheapest ways to attend law school is by choosing to attend a public, in-state law school. Tuition costs for in-state students tend to be significantly less than for out-of-state schools and can save tens of thousands. Another effective strategy for cutting law school costs is applying for specific school scholarships that cover full tuition and housing/food stipends as well as additional mentoring/networking opportunities.
Time
Law school requires considerable commitment of time and energy; most law students spend between 50-60 hours each week attending classes and studying, which may make balancing it with other commitments and full-time employment more challenging than anticipated.
As law school graduates find themselves entering an increasingly competitive field, where it’s not uncommon for new lawyers to struggle finding employment, law school may become an effort and expense not worth making.
Before making your decision, taking time to carefully consider these aspects is vitally important. Students will spend so much of their lives studying law; therefore it’s crucial that the institution chosen fits with their personality, lifestyle and career aspirations goals.
Consideration should also be given to evaluating the institution, which may affect your ability to pay for school. Also essential are reviewing its curriculum to ensure it aligns with what you hope to accomplish professionally and its opportunities for networking – law review, moot court competitions or extracurricular activities can all provide invaluable opportunities to network and find jobs as an attorney. Finally, keep in mind that most graduates leave school with debt that must be repaid.
Experience
Law school can be an intensive and costly experience that demands considerable investment in time and resources. Examining your financial prospects and career objectives will help determine if investing in law is worth your while; for instance, those planning on using their degree to advance a public service career could qualify for loan forgiveness incentives such as loan forgiveness programs.
Law degrees can be invaluable additions to any resume, but they may not be for everyone. Being part of this highly competitive profession often leaves graduates with substantial student debt burdens; if your passion lies with law as an occupation however, then perhaps this cost of law school may be justified by looking forward at future earnings and career potential.
Many students who possess a passion for legal studies are uncertain whether attending law school is worth their while. Ultimately, it’s up to each individual student to decide if law school is worth attending based on their individual goals and circumstances; for instance, those interested in civil rights might prefer non-profit work over private practice law firms. Furthermore, most law schools require extensive reading and studying that requires being comfortable with academic work as well as spending hours prepping for class and exams before beginning classes themselves.
Opportunities
No matter which area of law you plan to practice, you’ll have access to an invaluable network of mentors and peers to support your professional endeavors. Through clinics, pro bono work and academic research opportunities you will also build up an impressive resume; such experiences provide real world insight into legal practice that textbooks cannot match.
Law school offers you an invaluable opportunity for socialization with peers and professors that will have a significant impact on both your personal life and professional career. Your relationships will provide invaluable support in times of stress or confusion while offering invaluable advice or information – they’ll even form the cornerstone for future business contacts!
An employment statistics assessment should also be included on your list. These numbers will enable you to gain an understanding of which career paths most graduates choose, how long they remain gainfully employed and where they currently practice law.
Decisions related to law school should never be taken lightly; it requires significant financial investments and careful thought. But if your degree can address an important problem and you feel well-suited to its profession, law school could be well worth your while.