Why do you want to do law?

Question

I am being asked by universitys "Why do you want to study Law"

Now apart from the obvious - Make big money and have a professional career i am looking for a better answer that will make them want to enroll me


Please no unapreciated answers i am looking for serious answers

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

There are a lot of people who receive degrees in Law and never have any intention of practicing. The fact is that you can do a lot of things with a Law degree.

The question is, what do you want to DO? How does a degree in Law enhance that?

First, let's take the obvious, you actually do want to practice. Is there a particular area of it that appeals to you? Never mind the fact that what you think it is like is probably an illusion, they know most people change their minds at least once along the way. What area of concentration appeals to you, and why? Hint: "work" consists of solving someone else's problem; what problem do you want to solve? You don't have to justify your taste to them, they know Baskin Robbins makes 31 flavors for a reason. They just want to know what you're interested in.

Now, outside the practice... maybe you want to know how intellectual property law works to go with your engineering career...maybe you want to know how real property law works to better manage your rental properties...maybe you want to know oil & gas law to manage your oil wells.... maybe you plan to be an entrepreneur and want a better background in what makes a valid contract, and how to better know liabilities for products and premises... maybe you want to write a book and feel that the study of law will make you a more concise writer..or thorough writer..

You have a reason. You have a goal. What is it? That's all they want to know. Beleive me, the people that will see it had goals when they started Law School that they probably think are silly now. They aren't going to deny you admission if your goal is to be the first Lawyer to walk on the Moon.

Answer 2

Just a hint here, if you want to practice law for the money --- run to another profession. This year the ABA (American Bar Assoc.) put out statistics that the average salary for a lawyer is around $40,000 --- not exactly big bucks. If you are in a larger city the opportunities are greater but so is the competition.

I put on my law school app. that I wanted a respected profession where I could help people and provide for my family. Once I got in the profession I realized that it is not respected, due to a few horrid people, people don't just want help they want it FOR FREE!!!! and the amount of money a lawyer makes keeps most of us in the middle class.

If you want to study law do it because you love to right wrongs, because you believe in the system of laws this country has, or because you want to provide a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. While these lofty ideals don't bring in the cash they can get you into law school and help you through the lean years and the ridicule of the profession. Good luck

Answer 3

Well now you're asking two different questions.

I was half way through a paralegal degree when I started thinking about this.

"Why do I want to STUDY law?"
- Because it's a fascinating subject that intertwines every other possible subject and forms the basis of our society.

"Why do I want to do (PRACTICE) law?"
The actual practice of law is 90% filling out forms, filing documents, and worrying yourself over other people's problems.
The only problems I want to worry over are my own, and I don't need a law license to represent myself.

So the answer became clear: continue to study law, then apply the knowledge to some other kind of career.

Answer 4

I watch the new episodes of Law & Order: SVU.