Law School: Six Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting

Think you're ready for law school? I did too, but there is a lot I wish I would have known before I started the process. Just because you're argumentative and a great writer doesn't mean you have what it takes. Answer the following questions before you sign up for the LSAT and schmooze your professor for a letter of recommendation.

1. Do I want to be a lawyer?
While the question may make you laugh, it's perhaps the most important in your decision to go to law school. Of course you don't have to be an attorney. Just look at Ben Stine, David E. Kelley, Gerard Butler, all successful non-lawyers who have law degrees. Still, not only did Stine and Kelley come out of the elite T14, or the hyper competitive fourteen highest rank law schools in the United States, they also practiced law for several years. Though Butler was educated in outside the US, it's evident his movie star looks and Scottish charm held a hand in his success in Hollywood.
Worry not, it's impossible to be one hundred percent certain what type of law you want to practice; that's what law school is for. It is important, however, that you're sure being a lawyer is something you want for the long term. After all, law school doesn't train you to be a CEO, actor, author, or president; it trains you to think, read, and work like a lawyer. Don't go in with the "I don't know what else I want to do" attitude. Unfortunately, those are the type of 1Ls that crash and burn. Additionally, passing the bar does not equal a six figure salary. Lawyers can make anywhere from 30K-125K their first year at work, with most falling somewhere down the middle.
The average age of most 1Ls is around 25, so don't be afraid to take a year or two off after undergrad to work, travel, and really think about why you want to be a lawyer.

2. Am I comfortable having to pay off student loans for ten to twenty years?
If you thought undergrad was bad, you ain't seen nothing yet. Saying law school is expensive is a grave understatement. For starters, the LSAT costs about $200 to take, and a lot of people take it twice. Prep courses and private tutors for the important admissions test run anywhere from $1000 to $5000 dollars. Non refundable application fees run from $50 to $75 a pop. You can do the math if you apply to ten. Also, when you start getting acceptance letters, you'll need to put down seat deposits to hold your spot for schools you're still considering.
Scared yet? Not including the funds mentioned above, the average law student spends about $90K on his or her education. So, unless you have an extra hundred grand floating around, you'll need to take out student loans to foot the tuition bill. It's essential that you look at law school as not just an education, but a very expensive investment into your future. There is nothing wrong or shameful about financial aid or student loans. Aside for the lucky few on full ride scholarship or mom and dad's trust fund, you won't be alone in your financial woes.

3. Is it ok that my social and family life will take a backseat to school?
Before entering law school, it's important that you speak with you significant other, family members, and close friends about the importance of your study time. Sure, college requires lots of effort, but nothing compared to the time commitment of law school. Remember, rookie lawyers can crank out 80 hour work weeks, so you should be really putting in that much time while you're in school. It's better to think of law school as an actual career, albeit an unpaid one, rather than an education.
You should still be able to have some fun on the weekends, go to the gym, and carry on with your favorite hobbies. But remember, that weighs on your ability to budget your time extremely well during the week. Life obviously happens, but if you fall too far behind on readings, you'll have to say goodbye to your recreation time. Your family and friends should understand your commitment.
At times, law school can also feel like high school 2.0. Everyone has the same classes and professors, students use lockers, etc. While it's exciting to meet new people, some of whom will end up best friends, spouses, and colleagues, it's important to not get too twisted in law school high. Otherwise, you'll be too focused on who is sitting with whom during lunch instead of on your torts outline.

4. How do I deal with competition?
Just like saying that law school is expensive, saying that it's competitive is a huge understatement. Grades come down to one exam which is normally graded on a curve. What does that mean? Only about 10-20% of students get As (including A-), about 50% get Bs, and the rest are Cs and below. You may not get the grade you deserved, but you'll get one because X amount of people did better or worse than you. All you'll hear about for your first semester is the importance of being in the top 10% of your class. Not only will you be admitted to honoraries like law review or moot court, you'll also be a prized possession for future employers. Some firms won't even consider a student below the 10% mark. Even if you graduated undergrad summa cum laude with two majors and four minors and nailed the LSAT, there's no guarantee you'll sail through law school exams. Remember, you're surrounded by people who look just as good on paper as you do.
Fellow students can take advantage of the hype, hiding library books, hogging professor office hours, or lying about potential exam questions. These "gunners" tend to be a nuisance anyway, constantly raising their hand in class, dwelling on irrelevant issues, and lecturing about highlighter colors. Bottom line: don't let the gunner get to you, but more importantly--don't be one.

5. Am I comfortable with public speaking?
Sure, many lawyers never see the inside of a courtroom, but that doesn't mean law school spares you from thinking fast and on your feet in front of a room full of people. The Socratic Method is normally used in most classrooms. Instead of the professor talking and students taking notes, she'll ask a student a series of questions to get through a certain topic. The process can last anywhere from a few minutes, to the entire period. Laid back professors take volunteers, most just go by a seating chart or roster. You will be called on at one point, and there really isn't any escaping. Some professors make you stand, close your computer, and call you by "Mr. Smith," while others will refer to you by your first name and let you chew gum and peak at your notes.
While this may seem cruel and unusual, it really is for your benefit. You'll be better prepared for class and learn to think fast under stress. And don't be afraid to be wrong, it happens to everyone, you'll survive, and you'll learn from it

6. What's my tolerance for stress?
Stress is a fact of life. Frankly, some stress is healthy because it lets you know you care about your situation. With the weight of school loans, grades, competition, and lack of sleep and family time--it's no wonder law students turn to alcohol and drug use. Luckily, the schools are aware of the high stress, and most provide free and private counseling to students. Take advantage of it! Additionally, make sure to take a break from studying, hang out with your non law school friends, and do something mindless. If you've had past problems with depression and/or drug and alcohol dependency, take extra precaution. Law school is certainly tough, but it's not impossible.

If law school isn't for you, you're in no way intellectually inferior to those who graduate. Certain professors will tell you otherwise, but they're just on their academia high horse. It's a truly unique learning environment, and the learning style isn't for everyone. Contact local law schools in your area for tours and ask to sit in on some first year classes to get a better idea. Find the tuition costs of schools that interest you, and figure out how much money you'd need to borrow to make that possible. While in undergrad, intern at a law firm and get a first hand look into some of the work you could potentially be doing in three years. In the end, if you want to be a lawyer, you're there for the right reason, and you'll find a way to succeed.