I just came across a very good posting by LawSchoolTruth about job prospects and law school rankings. I don't know who writes it, but my favorite part was this: "Remember: If you really, really want to be a lawyer, none of this matters. Go to whatever school you want/can!"
Friday, January 18, 2008
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So if you don't go to a top 35 school you're screwed and aren't going to make enough money to pay off your loans... you might even be doing document review for $20 an hour... what an inspiring article! Do I really want to waste three years of my life now? Do you tell your clients this?
ReplyDeleteThis is not my opinion. Long time readers of my blog know very well it's not my opinion. I do not believe a law degree is a waste of three years or a waste of money, but I do try to present issues that are relevant to my readers. Please see my other posts on this topic and read the comments for more information on this topic and more information on my own feelings regarding the value of a law degree.
ReplyDeleteHi Ann - sort of peripherally related to this post - I was wondering what your opinion is of the website lawschoolnumbers.com. Sorry if that's something you've already touched on, but I'm really curious. Do you think it's a good predictive tool, or just something that makes applicants obsess even more than they already do? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI promise to write about this next week!~ Have a great weekend (and in the meantime, stay away from LSN and discussion boards!)
ReplyDeleteAnn,
ReplyDeleteI just read your article and you have an interesting take on the law school process. I do agree that with the enormous cost of attending law school today, perspective students should consider attending schools in the tier 3/4 category if they offer the same education for less money.
Additionally, I think it’s obvious that if you get into Harvard, Stanford, or Yale and you are serious about being a lawyer, you should accept. However, when considering a law school you should think about what kind of law you’re interested in and what law programs are best for you. There are plenty of Law Schools within the 2/3 tiers that offer dynamic programs of specific types of law where upon graduation you’ll achieve success in the job market.
Further more, there are a million job opportunities out there for lawyers that don’t involve the major law firms in NYC. The sky is the limit with a degree in law, and I think you are a prime example, someone who went to law school and now makes money helping students get into law school.
Lastly, I would like to point out that your comment concerning the LSAT, in which you state, “it is a measure of raw intelligence” should be retracted. The LSAT is a timed, multiply choice, standardized test and in no way a measure of a persons intelligence. Simply because one person got a 170 and another got a 160 actually says nothing about how intelligent they are, only that they can read, and are good test takers.
In general, I would say your article offers an interesting perspective on the issues of law school rankings, loans, and attaining a high paying job to pay off those loans after graduation. However, I would argue that it is not as cut and dry as you make it out to be. Any law student, at any ABA law school, who is willing to work hard, get job experience through internships, will be successful.
James,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughtful comments. I actually agree with everything you stated. I cannot find where I wrote that the LSAT is a measure of raw intelligence...that doesn't sound like something I'd say but I am not doubting you. It just may have been taken out of context (I'll keep searching my blog for it).
What I usually tell my clients is that I could study for the LSAT full time for a year and still not get a 175 because that's not my aptitude on that particular test. Therefore, setting a "goal score" is meaningless and self-defeating.I also law school applicants that their LSAT scores are not reflective of their self worth or potential to achieve in life. It's just an LSAT score - something used by law schools to differentiate applicants.
Dear Ann,
ReplyDeleteI am having trouble evaluating which law school I should go to. I have it narrowed down to two of the schools I have been accepted to, Washington University in St. Louis and William and Mary. I know they are both good schools but there is a big difference in rank (Wash U is 18/19 and William and Mary is 30.) I am leaning towards William and Mary but I am not sure if I should base my decision more on the rank and less on my personal/ gut feeling about the schools. Is this a significant difference in rank?
Thank you for your help.