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Is Law School Right for Me?

Juris Doctor | Other Legal Degrees

A law degree offers diverse career opportunities beyond litigation, where attorneys represent clients in court. Many lawyers focus on transactional work, operating from offices to review contracts, draft patents, or advise on employment matters. Law school can also pave the way to careers in politics, business, policy advocacy, and alternative dispute resolution. Additionally, a Juris Doctor (J.D.) can enhance competitiveness for roles in fields like compliance, where passing the bar exam is not a requirement.

To determine whether you want to go to law school, you first need to decide whether you want to be a lawyer. Ask yourself what makes you want to be a lawyer, and if you’re unsure, try interning for a law firm or even ask a connection who is a lawyer what their job is like or what law school was like. Read more about the profession in the Occupation Outlook Handbook (a publication of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics), and consider making an appointment with a pre-law advisor.

If you know that you want to be a traditional lawyer, such as a litigator or transactional attorney, or if you want to be a prosecutor or criminal defense attorney, law school is the next step. If you are looking into other careers that relate to the law, a great way to see if law school is a good choice for you would be to look up the education and experience of several professionals in that area, and even reach out to them and see if they would mind talking to you about their experience. Sometimes, law school isn’t necessary to enter into a law-related career, so talking to professionals in that area about the things they’ve learned and the things they wish they knew when they were starting is a great way to get direct insight. 

Other legal degrees include Master of Science in Laws (MSL), Master of Legal Studies (MLS), and Juris Master (JM). They allow one to study law but not become a lawyer. Additional information about these and other forms of legal education may be found on LSAC's Law Programs Page. 

What is Law School Like?

Law school is a full-time job. It requires dedication, motivation, and perseverance. While attending four or five classes during the week and taking one final at the end of the semester for each course may not seem like a lot at the outset, it requires a lot of outside-of-class time and studying to perform well in law school. Grades are often on a curve, which creates a competitive environment. Since most classes don’t have exams or assignments throughout the semester, students must be able to keep themselves accountable for studying throughout the semester and not wait until finals to learn all of the material.

How do I Pay for Law School?

Not only is law school a full-time job, but it’s expensive, and you give up the opportunity to earn money during your first year, and potentially all three years. Consider your post-undergraduate financial situation and decide whether law school and potentially more student loans are the best option for you at this moment in time. In addition, even if you decide law school is the right next step, considering your financial situation might help you decide when is the right time to take that next step. For some, it might be right after getting their undergraduate degree. For others, working a full-time job between undergraduate years and law school could be the best next step to ease the financial burden of law school student loans.

Other resources may be found on our Applying to Law School page. 

Where Can I Learn More?

Visiting different law schools can also be a great way to see if law school is for you. Schools will often put you in touch with current students who you can talk to about their decision to attend law school and the experience they’ve had so far. Different student populations may have different experiences, so if you want to hear from someone with a background similar to yours, make sure to ask the school to connect you with students with whom you identify. A lot of schools put on virtual events as well, so even if you cannot visit the school in person, try to join one of their webinars, usually hosted by their admissions team.

Suggested Workshops

Attend one of our workshops to learn more about these topics and more! View our schedule of workshops offered this term here.

  • How to Prepare and Apply to Law School

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