When doing something life changing...

[DMickey28]

How do you know it's right?

This is not about my wedding in five weeks, I know that's right!!

I am thinking about going to law school next year. I have started studying for the LSAT's and am planning on taking them in December. A little late but still in time for application deadlines... won't be early application unfortunately but oh well. However, I am so scared. I have always wanted to do this but I am so overwhelmed right now....

I am reading a book called Law School Confidental. It's scarying me. I have no problem with the time committment for the most part however, they are saying that unless you are in the top 20 schools forget about getting the good jobs. Make sure you go to law school in the area of the country you want to work, at least for a little while. We are going to be moving to chicago and I am planning on going there....someday however we hope to be back in Boston.

I don't want to be a big firm attorney, no partner in my future. I would rather work for a small firm or a company. I want to raise my family as well, I just want to do work I enjoy.

Will going to a smaller, no name school leave me with debt and no career future? I don't even know if I can get into the middle schools.. I have a Low numberical GPA but it's a long story and my actual GPA is in the mid 3.5's area.... LSAT's, well the first timed practice one I did before every studying to get an idea was a 150. Not great at all, but that's a decent spot to work up from.

I am just so scared... how do you distiguish all this stuff, short of walking in to an law office that you think looks like the kind that you would like to work in and asking....

I just don't know!!!

Thanks for listening to me vent!!

 

[minniepumpernickel]

I just think that it's great that you are thinking about doing something like this! it sounds like you are starting on the right track about trying to find out more about the field.

Good luck!

 

[I_Know_You2!]

I know I have seen several posts from lawyers and students of law here. Maybe if you put that in our thread title some might jump in.

For my part, it is hard. I hate the job my degree is in! So I am NOT the one to give advice here.

Best Wishes!

 

[DMickey28]

I_Know_you2 ~ I hate the job that my undergrad is in, and it's a very narrow degree.... I am doing a temp. insurance job now and I dislike that as well...

I am so afraid of making another "mistake" only this time a more costly one!

 

[SC Minnie]

I think you have to ask yourself why you really want to go to law school. That should answer your question about if it is the right thing to do for you.

As far as making a lot of money and all of that-- no college degree guarantees anybody they are going to make $300k/yr. As long as you are in a profession that you really and truly enjoy thats what really matters. You adjust your lifestyle around your income and no one can put a price on happiness.

 

[skuttle]

It depends on your definition of a "good job". That definition varies GREATLY from person to person and even from location to location. Some of the "Top Jobs" in this area would probably seem like nothing to a New York City attorney. It just depends on you. What kind of life you want for your family. Don't let a book tell you what a "good job" for you would be or what you have to do to be "successful". You need to determine what would be a good job for you, for what you want out of life, and then go from there. Don't let a silly book stress you out even more. That is just one person's opinion.

Like you, I want to have time to raise my family and be active in my kids' lives. I don't want to be a partner at a large firm. Small firm life will be fine for me as long as I can provide a comfortable life for my family (with WDW trips, of course! ) Trust me, the ideal job for *me* probably would NOT be classified as a "good job" by the authors of that book. But their "good job" wouldn't make me happy.

 

[DMickey28]

Thanks Skuttle... it just freaked me out. Thinking that without the top 20 school degree name I would be out in the cold... I am looking for a low key job now, and then really pour into the job when the kids are older, you figure chances are you probally have at least 15-20 years after your kids are older to work.... that's what we are looking at now, what I would like to go back to doing then.

The name doesn't matter to me... I don't want $100K out of school, seriously I would be happier with a $45-50K job with flexibility and growth and the ability to do more if and when I want... I just don't want to be doing what I am doing for low $30's anymore, but the money isn't the issue or end goal at all.

 

[Crankyshank]

I would wait.
You're getting married. You just moved halfway across the country and you're looking at moving again.
Move To Chicago. See if you can find the career you're looking for without investing the money in law school. This time next year, if you don't find it and you still want to go to law school then do it.

I just think you're jumping into something because it sounds like it could be a fit without really thinking about all the options.

 

[orvilleair]

Not a lawyer, but I'll give you my $0.02. I'm sure colleges are accredited so check with your college to see if the school of law meets some sort of standards. I think in Ohio, it is accredited by North Central .... Obviously, law school is a long arduous task. Maybe you can postpone your decision until you get your LSAT results.

 

[Sandy V.]

Quite frankly, going to a "name" school will get you into the door of some of the biggest and most prestigious firms. That, along with class rank in law school, matters a lot to some of the national/larger local firms.

But it won't guarantee professional or personal success or happiness.

My husband and I didn't go to a "name" law school. I'm not putting anyone down who did - in fact, congratulations. But I can tell you that after working with people and against people who DID, they aren't any smarter or better attorneys than the rest of us. My husband routinely rubs shoulders with Harvard, Yale, Stanford, etc. law school graduates, and he routinely kicks their collective and individual butts in court.

Graduating from an accredited law school and passing the bar exam earns you a "J.D." behind your name - THAT'S the great equalizer.

Edited to add: Sometimes figuring out what law firm or attorney to work for is a "gut" thing. Sometimes you just click with the interviewing attorney; sometimes your instinct is to get out of there as fast as you can. Often your first job as an attorney is a "get your foot in the door" type of employment. The experience you gain working helps you get that better second job.

Best of luck to you!!