So, yeah, I'm going to try to get into law school in a few years. Those who have been through it, do you had any advice on preparing? Besides "don't" that is!
Law School Prep Advice
- Thread starter Michael Chris
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Buy (or borrow) a book called Law School Confidential by Robert H. Miller. Definitely has very useful advice.
Aside from that, keep an eye on your GPA and don't slack off. The LSATs and GPA are among the most important things to worry about.
BTW, the above advice isn't from hindsight experience, just what I'm dealing with now. There are people here who have been to lawschool, so they might have additional/different advice.
Aside from that, keep an eye on your GPA and don't slack off. The LSATs and GPA are among the most important things to worry about.
BTW, the above advice isn't from hindsight experience, just what I'm dealing with now. There are people here who have been to lawschool, so they might have additional/different advice.
Don't. No seriously, don't.
If you still do (why?) the best way to prep for law school is just to keep practicing at the LSAT. Even though the LSAT has absolutely no bearing to actual law school, it's your ticket in. Once you get in, you're gonna have to learn a new way to read and learn information, which some schools offer New Student Seminars and what not before you go. I found mine useless, but some of my classmates loved them. When you're in school, just form study groups, support groups, etc. It's nice to know you aren't the only one walking around going "WTF" during the year. See if you can sit in on a class, that was the most helpful to me. And if you still want to go to law school after, god help you.
-nobody (don't do it)
If you still do (why?) the best way to prep for law school is just to keep practicing at the LSAT. Even though the LSAT has absolutely no bearing to actual law school, it's your ticket in. Once you get in, you're gonna have to learn a new way to read and learn information, which some schools offer New Student Seminars and what not before you go. I found mine useless, but some of my classmates loved them. When you're in school, just form study groups, support groups, etc. It's nice to know you aren't the only one walking around going "WTF" during the year. See if you can sit in on a class, that was the most helpful to me. And if you still want to go to law school after, god help you.
-nobody (don't do it)
Don't.
Sorry, I have no helpful advice apart from this. Ask yourself, WHY are you doing this to yourself? Maybe it's just my personality, but I can't imagine a worse lifestyle than being a lawyer. Esp. if you end up in BigLaw and spend the rest of your existence making your quota of billable hours and scrambling to make partner.
Sorry, I have no helpful advice apart from this. Ask yourself, WHY are you doing this to yourself? Maybe it's just my personality, but I can't imagine a worse lifestyle than being a lawyer. Esp. if you end up in BigLaw and spend the rest of your existence making your quota of billable hours and scrambling to make partner.
I'm inclined to quote this passage from the "Lawyers & Law School Megathread" on Something Awful's Ask/Tell forum:
Since many of you seem opposed to law school, I have to ask why? Just the job situation? Or is there more it?
I finished law school this year and am currently doing step two of my education. Right now I'm working for a judge, writing verdicts for him, attending court sessions and such. And it really is fun and interesting. 
In January I'm to conduct a court session... *dies*
Law requires you to adopt a specific way of thinking. Once you got that down, it all starts making sense.
In January I'm to conduct a court session... *dies*
Law requires you to adopt a specific way of thinking. Once you got that down, it all starts making sense.
Tim's superb quote covers the job side of it (things are the same in the UK; the traditional "filters" on people becoming solicitors have become much looser).
Also, in terms of the nature of the work, do you meet the criteria he quoted therein:
"You have a specific interest in practicing law
You enjoy working long hours
You're a detail-oriented person
You have a strong sense of perseverance in the face of agony
You have qualifications for a subspecialty of law that you're interested in (e.g. tax law, patent law, etc.)"
I enjoy none of these qualities. I may be able to DO them, but I wouldn't enjoy them. That's my personal beef with a law career.
I also know plenty of people who've done a law degree (from prestigious places) and either got totally burnt out with the job after a few years or else their entire life became practising law.
Well obviously not the enjoy working long hours. I don't have any qualification in any particular area. Other than that I'd say that describes me to a certain extent.
It's fuckin' hell.
I'm not kidding.
You're thrown in, and you know how you got through undergrad and the rest of your education? Throw it out the window. You're learning a whole new way to figure shit out. I'm a 1L, and I'm not ashamed to say that, intellectually, I keep getting my ass kicked. It's so much damn work and material that you're being taught in a whole new way. Everyone in law school has had moments where they're convinced it's pointless and they could be doing so many other (useful) things than reading some goddamn case from the King's motherfuckin' Bench that by the end of the term you'll discover doesn't matter one shit (hint: anything from the Queen's or King's Bench doesn't matter). JKTim's post sums it up nicely, you could be doing so many other things to help you get were you want to go. You really need to ask yourself why the hell you want to subject yourself to law school for the next 3 years. If you're doing it for the money, get out. Doing it for the gravitas, get out. Doing it to change the world, get out -- you won't. Doing it for any other reason other than you're a masochist, get out.
So, now that I've been extremely negative, let me offer some positive points.
1) You learn a different way of thinking, see problems in a whole new light (mainly: can I sue?)
2) It is, in the end, a good and worthwhile education (I think), however, it's terribly overpriced.
3) It is helpful in learning how and why these laws governing our society are decided and created. However, an MPA probably does the same thing.
Laren, nailed it, it's all about reshaping the way you think, then it's easy. Then you're bored, and still paying up the ass for your law degree.
So, why are you going?
-nobody, who really does love law school, but obviously needed to get that off his chest.
I'm not kidding.
You're thrown in, and you know how you got through undergrad and the rest of your education? Throw it out the window. You're learning a whole new way to figure shit out. I'm a 1L, and I'm not ashamed to say that, intellectually, I keep getting my ass kicked. It's so much damn work and material that you're being taught in a whole new way. Everyone in law school has had moments where they're convinced it's pointless and they could be doing so many other (useful) things than reading some goddamn case from the King's motherfuckin' Bench that by the end of the term you'll discover doesn't matter one shit (hint: anything from the Queen's or King's Bench doesn't matter). JKTim's post sums it up nicely, you could be doing so many other things to help you get were you want to go. You really need to ask yourself why the hell you want to subject yourself to law school for the next 3 years. If you're doing it for the money, get out. Doing it for the gravitas, get out. Doing it to change the world, get out -- you won't. Doing it for any other reason other than you're a masochist, get out.
So, now that I've been extremely negative, let me offer some positive points.
1) You learn a different way of thinking, see problems in a whole new light (mainly: can I sue?)
2) It is, in the end, a good and worthwhile education (I think), however, it's terribly overpriced.
3) It is helpful in learning how and why these laws governing our society are decided and created. However, an MPA probably does the same thing.
Laren, nailed it, it's all about reshaping the way you think, then it's easy. Then you're bored, and still paying up the ass for your law degree.
So, why are you going?
-nobody, who really does love law school, but obviously needed to get that off his chest.
That is awesome.I would like to go for a few reasons really: I like the idea of law, I like analysis and detail, I want to help as many people as I can in life (this isn't specific to law, obviously, but I think with my abilities it could very well be a good fit), and I think it'd be a good fit.
I'm always willing to hear other ideas. My current plan is to get law degree and perhaps an MBA dual degree (for backup purposes).
I'm always willing to hear other ideas. My current plan is to get law degree and perhaps an MBA dual degree (for backup purposes).
Don't even get me started on the people doing MBAs.
I thought about doing one a couple of years back and...
Oh. My. God.
Biggest bunch of neurotic, grandiose, hyperachievers I've ever met in my life.
This is certainly gonna help.
Just keep in mind that "law" isn't the same as "justice". It's not always about helping people. You'll have to deal with tons of crazy folks, if you go through with this.
Oh, yeah I know.
Re-read my earlier, long post about reasons not to go to law school.
Also, to reiterate: Don't go, there are no jobs and you will die alone.
Really, really don't go if your GPA isn't sterling and you don't have a decent shot at a 165+ on the LSAT. If you can't get into a T1 school, it's not worth it. Even if you can get into a T1 school and excel, it's still probably not worth it. Lawyers have (I believe) the second-highest rate of clinical depression across the spectrum of professions, they're in the top five in rate of substance abuse, it is a job that by definition will involve long hours poring over mind-numbing documents and you will likely never feel a sense of fulfillment in what you do, unless you do a ton of pro bono work, in which case you'll possibly help a person here or there, but you'll be broke and eventually out of a job and you will die alone.
Major in engineering, save yourself a lot of time, money and abuse of your liver, and give yourself a chance to lead a fulfilling life.
I read your post, but it was mostly about bad reasons for law school as opposed to reasons not to go to law school.
I don't see anything that really distinguishes it from any other profession in most regards. I understand there's a risk of depression and substance abuse, but that's just life. I also understand there's not a huge chance for on the job satisfaction, but that's true for most jobs.
As to GPA and LSAT, well I'm not finished with undergrad yet, but my current GPA is 4.0 so that's good, and I still have at least a year until I need to take the LSAT so I'm sure I can prepare for that.
I don't see anything that really distinguishes it from any other profession in most regards. I understand there's a risk of depression and substance abuse, but that's just life. I also understand there's not a huge chance for on the job satisfaction, but that's true for most jobs.
As to GPA and LSAT, well I'm not finished with undergrad yet, but my current GPA is 4.0 so that's good, and I still have at least a year until I need to take the LSAT so I'm sure I can prepare for that.
