What advice would you give someone applying for law school?

Answer 1

I would advise all prospective law students to spend some time investigating what it really entails to practice law BEFORE committing to attend law school. There are several ways to do this. You could volunteer at one of the many non-profit legal organizations who provide services to the needy. You can talk to people who practice law. If you don't know any attorneys through friends or family, your undergraduate career development office should be able to put you in touch with attorney alumni. You can also work as a legal assistant or some other non-attorney position in a law office.

One should also understand what law school and practicing law is NOT. First, it is NOT EASY. Law school is both expensive and intellectually demanding. It is a large commitment of time and money. Nobody does well in law school without working hard, no matter how smart he or she is, because they are learning a completely different way of thinking and analyzing.

Also, if money is your motivation, consider what the highest-paying legal jobs consist of: A LOT OF WORK. Ask any young associate at a big law firm (the ones who get paid the most out of law school) and they will tell you they put in a lot of hours at the behest of some very demanding senior associates and partners.

Having said all of that, I personally loved being a lawyer and going to law school. If the considerations mentioned above have not dissuaded you from pursuing a legal education, that's a good sign! It can be some of the most rewarding work there is, both intellectually and emotionally.