Should I Go to Law School? 8 Considerations
Law school can open the door to a wide range of engaging careers, including and extending beyond the practice of law. But you’ve also probably heard about the long hours, high-pressure deadlines, and soaring costs associated with law school and the entry-level legal jobs that come after it. So, is law school worth it? Is it right for you?
We’ll break down the pros and cons of going to law school and share 8 questions you should carefully consider before deciding if a legal education is the correct path.
What does law school entail?
Traditionally, law school is completed over three years, which are known as 1L, 2L, and 3L.
You’ll spend 1L learning the fundamentals of law, including civil procedure, criminal law, torts, contracts, property, constitutional law, legal research, and writing. You’ll also get acclimated to a different learning style during the first year. Most law professors use the Socratic method, which differs from the lecture-centric teaching style typical of undergrad. In this learning style, professors call on students at random to answer questions and discuss topics, so students must always be ready with knowledge of the material.
During 2L, you’ll expand on the foundations you build in 1L, with greater freedom to choose classes that allow you to explore areas of the law you’re interested in. You’ll participate in extracurricular and networking activities to gain experience and build relationships with your professors and peers.
The third year of law school is spent finishing your degree requirements and familiarizing yourself with the material on your state’s bar exam, which is the test you’ll need to pass in order to become a practicing lawyer. Many students also clerk for a judge, work at a law firm, or volunteer with an organization in the area of law they want to pursue.
You’ll obtain a Juris Doctor, or JD, degree upon graduation. But you’re not ready to practice just yet; that comes after passing the bar, a state-based exam validating whether a JD has the requisite knowledge and skills to become a licensed attorney. Many entry-level employment offers in the legal field are contingent upon passing the bar.
Pros of going to law school
Earning potential
It’s hard to beat the salaries you can find in the legal field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for a lawyer in the United States is $145,760, while judges earn a median income of $132,950.
What do lawyers and other law professionals make on average?
Browse our salary data tool to know the current market value!
Employment opportunities
People, companies, and public entities will always need lawyers. Demand for attorneys has been consistent in recent history, with employment growing at a steady 5% yearly.
Versatility
Few educational credentials offer the versatility of a law degree. There are so many different areas of law–criminal, corporate, family, property, entertainment, environmental, and beyond–all of which require talented legal professionals. And a law degree doesn’t limit you to actual practice. You can parlay it into a career in business, politics, teaching, government, and more.
Impact
A law degree positions you to impact the lives of individuals and communities. From giving a voice to underrepresented people to advocating for worthwhile causes, lawyers hold the power and expertise required to make meaningful change.
Cons of going to law school
High cost
Law school is expensive, and it is prohibitively so for some people. The average cost for tuition alone is $151,072, or about $50,300 per year. Living expenses average around $24,000 a year on top of that. About 90% of law students take out a loan of some amount to help cover their expenses.
Commitment
Pursuing a legal degree is a massive commitment of both time and energy. You’ll regularly study and work long hours and will have to make tough choices between your education and other priorities, like hobbies or a social life. You may have to put off goals like starting a family or saving to buy a home until you’re more established in your career.
Inconsistent earnings
Being a top earner isn’t a guarantee. Lawyers have a unique salary distribution, which you can see in the National Association of Law Placement (NALP) chart.
Source: https://www.nalp.org/salarydistrib
About half of all law school graduates earn between $50,000 and $90,000 a year. Only about 25% of them earn upwards of $200,000. Most people will fall within one of these two “humps,” and statistically speaking, it’s more likely your salary as a law school grad will be average rather than exceptional.
Lack of location flexibility
Because lawyers have to be barred in the state in which they practice, it’s not as easy to pick up and move as it is for other professionals. This may be a deal-breaker if you’re someone who doesn’t want to be tied down to one place.
8 questions to ask yourself when deciding whether to go to law school
1. Do you have a specific goal?
What is it that makes law school appealing to you? While it’s okay if you haven’t narrowed down your ambitions to a specific legal role, you’ll have the greatest chance of success if your motivation is more than “I don’t know what else to do after undergrad.”
Many people find law school fulfilling when it’s a pivot after spending time in a different field. For example, a union worker might aspire to become a labor lawyer and fight for more equitable policies. Alternatively, a journalist may discover a passion for studying communication law to defend reporters’ rights. Examining what’s driving your interest in law school will give you a better idea of whether pursuing it will be worthwhile.
Related: How to Set Career Goals
2. Do you like to read?
Law students spend a lot of time reading. A typical workload is several hours of reading per night, and it’s no Stephen King thriller you’ll be perusing. You’ll be parsing through dense, complex legal material and using it to develop case briefs for your classes the following day. Many students report spending 40 hours per week outside of class reading, writing, and studying.
3. Do you have the grades and test scores?
The legal field differs from other professions in that the school you attend can outsize your career. Generally speaking, graduates from higher-ranked law schools have better professional outcomes.
When reviewing your application, law schools will consider your undergraduate GPA and law school admissions test (LSAT) score. The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) has a search tool that can help you understand the GPA and LSAT requirements at different colleges.
4. How will you fund it?
As we discussed earlier, law school comes with a heavy financial burden. Unless you’re one of the lucky few whose tuition will be paid in cash, you’ll have to rely on one of the following methods to fund your education:
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Federal loans
- Private loans
- Savings
- Working while in school
Take a closer look at the feasibility of each of these options to determine your financial path and its implications.
5. Are you committed to lifelong learning?
The studying doesn’t end once you’ve been handed your diploma. The law is constantly changing, and it’s a lawyer’s job to keep up with it. You’ll fare best if you have a genuine hunger for learning and a deep interest in the law’s history, reasoning, and evolution.
6. Do you have any prior experience?
You don’t have to have a law degree to work in a legal setting. For example, a job as a paralegal or secretary in a law office can help you become familiar with what a legal practice looks like and what a career entails. You can also volunteer with a legal nonprofit like the Legal Aid Society or the American Bar Association.
Gaining some prior experience will give you a better idea of whether you actually enjoy the legal field before you take the leap into three more years of school. Plus, it’ll strengthen your resume and arm you with material to use in future job interviews.
7. Can you stomach office politics?
If you want to be a practicing attorney, it’s likely to come with a healthy dose of office politics. Things like staying on partners’ good sides and knowing your place in the pecking order are standard fare when you’re just starting out. As a lawyer, you’ll also need to keep up productive relationships with judges and other justice system members, so you shouldn’t be averse to networking.
8. Have you considered other options?
Is it possible to achieve your goals without a law degree? If your objective is something other than strictly practicing law–going into politics or working in law enforcement, perhaps–there’s a good chance a legal education isn’t necessary. Taking a different path could save you the time, money, and intense level of study a law degree requires, not to mention potentially starting your career three years sooner.
While getting your JD could set you up for an exciting range of careers, weighing the benefits against the demands is important. If your motivations align with the opportunities law school can afford, you may find it to be a fulfilling path. If you’re uncertain about the commitment, take time to carefully explore all options before deciding what’s best for you.
