Law School - Should I really take the step?

Question

I am 21 and I have been working with some lawyers in my city for over a year. I am currently finishing up school and about to give my LSAT in Feb to get in for Fall 2008. I want to continue my education from the same school and get a law degree here. However, with my undergraduate degree and minors, I can get a $100K off college and have stable life. However, I think my life needs more challenges and hence I want to go to law school. Do you think I should take the step and really do it? My family has strong support for me but if I am very sure that I am going to law school, should I take a break and go to law school? I wanted to defer my admission and work for a year and then get back to law school. Any input from real law students or lawyers would be very much appreciated. I am very ambitious and I think I can dedicate myself for law school.

I am very confident I can make $100K off college. I have a job offer that pays me 75% of that money and 25% would be coming from my entrepreneurial venture which is mailbox money :)

The fact that some of the people can't make that kind of money after college makes me think that the reason there are very few people who make that kind of money after college is because people think like the way some of you guys do. Nothing is impossible! If you can provide the right services to multi-national companies, they will pay you a base salary and huge bonus. I have a major in Engineering and a dual minor. I already know my numbers from my potential job offers.

Answer 1

Law college is expensive and you don't want to be in debt for the next few years of your life. In that sense, taking the job to pay for law school would be a good idea.

BUT, after earning 100K (assuming you will actually get this!?!), you will probably not want to go back to college and slave away under the mountain of law books that you will have to read. Law school is alot of work. And it takes time to get used to it. And engineering and law are pretty different. I went from a numbers based background to law myself, and it took a little time to make the transition.

If you're absolutely sure you will go to law school after 1 year then you should take the job. But a lot can happen in one year. Chances are that next year you probably won't feel the same.

Answer 2

Take the 100k job. u might get out of law school and not be able to get something that pays over 100k. Lawyers aren't doing that well currently b/c there r just 2 many of them. Law school is also very expensive. I understand u like challenges but law school is much more difficult and expensive than undergrad. Unless u have more than 70k saved up to pay for it u will have to take out loans. With the market so saturated currently it is difficult to get jobs and if u go into debt and can't get i job i mean u'd kinda b screwed.

Answer 3

I took a year off after undergrad, before I entered law school, and, overall, I'm glad I did. I just turned 23, and I'm one of the youngest students in my school. A few people do go to law school right out of undergrad, but not many. If you are making good money and don't mind your job, I would definitely work for at least a year before going to law school. However, the only two bad things that can come from this (that I found) are: (1) You may get used to working and making money and not want to go back to having no job and having to save. Most law schools don't allow first year students to have jobs working more than 5 hours per week. (2) You will definitely get out of "school mode." Us students who took a year or more off after undergrad are definitely having a harder time getting motivated to study and do our work than the students who came right from undergrad, still in "school mode." However, the older students are also more mature, and better at self-discipline.

I think whatever you do, you will be fine. If your family has strong support and you know you can do it, then go for it!

Answer 4

The question you should be asking is, "Do I want to be a lawyer?" Go visit a lawyer at their job, you may find that they are miserable and that they never get a vacation. This may not be for you.

By the way, you can make 100K straight out of college? Hmmm, dellusional are we?

Answer 5

If you are able to do so, go to school now. I am in the industry, but a paralegal. I was always told that I am bright but it is not worth it to be a lawyer. That there is more demand for the help than an attorney. It costs too much money. But you know what? I could be making more money with that degree than I am now. YOu dont have to be a layer with a law degree. Their are other career choices with that under your belt. I regret not going to school, cause now I make ok money, with a husband and a two year old and no time to finish my studies. PLEASE EDUCATE YOURSELF! It is really important for your future if you are able to do so!

Answer 6

Take a year off. Work hard during that year - but live a little too. Save up as much as you can. Then take the plunge.

At the end of the year you will be SURE and have some money saved up.

Answer 7

You won't get 100k right out of law school, that's for sure. Not in today's market. I suggest you do some research.

And no, I also don't believe you'll be getting 100k right out of college either.

Answer 8

yes l think u should take the step the is 1 of a 100 chance that u will get a never oprchnty like that again.

Answer 9

You can make $ 100,000 per year ? Is thatwhat you are sayingor you can get that amount of reduction in tuition. Your statement is too frazzled to determine what exactly you are asking.