Going to Law School
What is Law School?
A law school is an institution of higher education that provides a course of study leading to a law degree. The most common abbreviation in the U.S. for a law degree holder is J.D. or Juris Doctor.
Why go to Law School?
You might consider attending law school if you:
- Have a passion for helping people and making a difference
- Want to challenge yourself intellectually
- Are looking to become a lawyer or pursue a career in the field of law
A law degree provides a multitude of career opportunities beyond traditional law practice such as joining a corporate legal department, becoming a news broadcaster, heading up a non-profit organization, or entering politics. A law degree not only provides you with a foundation in the field of law, but you will also learn advanced writing, communication, analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Some prospective law students choose to attend law school based on family or social pressures, or feel that a law degree will provide them with a lot more money and prestige. Before you decide to enroll in law school, you should be sure you understand the reasons that are motivating you to do to so. Although many lawyers do enjoy financial success, you need to consider that it may take years to work your way up to the salary you desire. In the meantime, you will need to figure out how you are going to manage your law school debts on your starting salary.
Research Law Schools
If you want to apply to law school, begin researching which school provides the best fit for you. You might take into account factors such as location, size, cost and whether or not the school offers your desired legal specialty. Many prospective students are also concerned with the law school’s ranking, as top law schools often influence a graduate’s ability to secure the best jobs and salaries. Since getting accepted into law school is very competitive, you’ll likely want to apply to multiple schools.
Law Specialties
At some point during your law school career, you’re going to want to narrow your focus. You’ll want to choose a path of specialization that is of interest to you and your future career path. If you are a prospective law student, and you already know your desired area of specialization, you might want to select a school that has a top ranked program. Examples of law specialties include:
- Dispute Resolution
- Bankruptcy Law
- Business Law
- Environmental Law
- Healthcare Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- International Law
- Tax Law
- Litigation
Top Law School Rankings
We’ve listed some resources for top law school rankings below:
U.S. News & World Report – Rankings for top law schools and specialties.
Princeton Review - The 2010 Edition of The Best 172 Law Schools.
How to Pay for Law School
If you plan to attend law school, spend time making sure that you understand the financial aid process and how much your education is going to cost you. Remember, if you don’t pay for your education in scholarships and grants (free money), or cash, you may need to borrow student loans. Law students are eligible to borrow up to $20,500 per year in Federal Stafford Loans. If you need to borrow more, you’ll want to research the Federal Grad PLUS Loan and private student loans.
The average law school graduate owes $91,500 in educational debt1. You’ll want to make sure you have a plan to manage your law school debt, especially during your first years in practice. With a sizeable balance, your student loan payments are likely to be large every month. Until you start earning close to your career’s salary potential, you need to make sure you can manage your loan payments as well as your living expenses and other obligations. Also, you should research available repayment plans and loan forgiveness programs, especially if you plan to pursue a career in public interest law.