People drawn to law school due to having lawyers in their family or having interned may find the career rewarding; however, there are plenty of ways they can have an impactful policy presence without investing heavily in legal education.
Some students simply cannot cope with a rigorous education and long hours, as it takes its toll on mental health. Prolonged periods of stress and discouraging feedback can have lasting consequences on these students.
1. You’re a hard worker
If you thrive under pressure and enjoy pushing yourself intellectually through rigorous coursework, law school could be right for you. Particularly at one of the nation’s premier law schools where competition for employment is high, obtaining a JD degree could prove invaluable to your career success.
Before applying to law school, it’s essential that you assess whether you’re ready. Law school can be both mentally and emotionally taxing; make sure to talk to current students and graduates as well as sit in on some classes (most professors will allow this if asked politely), this will give an accurate idea of whether you can handle three years in law school.
2. You’re a people person
If you possess an enthusiasm for human interactions and can maintain high standards of professionalism under pressure, law school may be right for you. A lawyer must be capable of communicating effectively with clients and third parties while being open-minded toward new opinions and viewpoints.
Teaching or tutoring positions offer great opportunities to demonstrate these abilities; you can design your curriculum freely while engaging students directly. Customer service or administrative positions also make an ideal platform from which to showcase these abilities on a CV or personal statement.
Law school can be an enriching experience, but it may not be right for everyone. Before enrolling, take some time off to gain more practical work experience and gain clarity into why you want to become a lawyer.
3. You’re creative
As law students, you enjoy learning and absorbing knowledge. Law school can be an extremely enjoyable and fulfilling experience; but at times you may also need to complete tedious or boring work. Outstanding law students realize this part of their studies must also include these tasks if they wish for success in law.
Law schools want to see that you have been active on campus and in the community, taking an active part in leadership positions, long-term commitments, and extracurricular activities that yield tangible results. Your application should emphasize these aspects.
4. You’re a problem solver
Law school can teach you to think more rationally and analytically when confronted with matters that involve strong emotional responses, forcing you to look at things from different angles and consider possibilities from multiple viewpoints.
But if you possess the talent of distilling complex information and analyzing problems quickly and affordably, alternative routes might be more suitable than law school for honing these abilities.
Tira Harpaz, founder of CollegeBound Advice admissions consulting firm and former attorney, advises individuals before considering law school as the solution for their career goals. Law school can be both time and cost intensive; its journey doesn’t always lead to rewarding legal careers.
5. You’re a risk taker
Law degrees can be costly and come with significant student debt burdens that limit your future options; such as relocation, working at different levels or taking on less demanding roles.
Law school requires considerable preparation. Students typically read approximately 100 pages weekly for class and must also prepare notes and create an outline of all materials presented.
Hosid cautions prospective law school students that an education from law schools ranked outside of the top 14 (T14) won’t open as many doors; therefore it’s essential that prospective law students carefully select their legal school before enrolling – many schools allow prospective students to sit in on classes if asked politely and allow prospective students to observe before making up their mind about enrolling.
6. You’re analytical
Legal careers aren’t typically known for offering much in terms of flexibility or work-life balance; most lawyers work over 40 hours each week under time-critical deadline pressures. If this sort of demanding schedule doesn’t suit you well, law school may not be suitable as an option for you.
Attracting law school admissions may depend heavily on your LSAT score and grades; they will ultimately decide where you get in. If you’re an ineffective test taker, consider taking time off between undergraduate and law school years to gain experience and demonstrate that you can excel on the LSAT.
Lee Burgess is co-founder of Law School Toolbox, Bar Exam Toolbox and Trebuchet Legal; additionally she has served as adjunct faculty at two Bay Area law schools.
7. You’re competitive
Are You Thinking About Becoming a Lawyer? Because You See it As the Perfect Way To Change the World. However, taking this path requires significant commitment, with long hours, stressful exams and an often-competitive academic environment being some of its challenges.
If your three years in law school don’t feel satisfying, they might not be worth your while. While some attend for specific reasons like becoming a criminal defense attorney or international negotiator, others enroll simply with an aim of creating more equitable societies. It is crucial to know why you want to study law before enrolling; knowing your purpose for attending law school is vitally important.
8. You’re creative
If you love writing and expressing yourself creatively, law school could be an ideal path for you. A strong writing ability is crucial in the legal field; therefore, success in law school will depend on it.
Experts agree that an impressive GPA, high LSAT score and involvement in community service and student organizations will set your law school application apart. A clear narrative explaining your motivation for wanting to go to law school will also be instrumental in crafting the strongest application possible.
Some students attend law school to become criminal defense attorneys or international negotiators; others pursue it more generally with an intention to create more just institutions.