u/JA-Yetti

Many students during law school applications (myself included) choose to attend the school with the highest ranking (or near the highest). As a current 1L I just feel the need to give a subtle warning as admissions decisions are coming in of the cons of this choice.

During my application cycle, I got carried away with going to a school that I could proudly wear on my chest and give me the best salary opportunities (even though I knew I didn't want big law). I fortunately got into a top 60 school even though I was 7 points below the median LSAT score and decided to attend regardless that I am now paying near sticker price.

Putting costs of attendance aside, something I didn't realize would be as much of a challenge is the curve. I am now in a pool competing with other students that got admitted to numerous T-14s, who just simply are smarter than me. There are a limited amount of A's and B's that can be go around per section and I now find myself near the bottom of the class even though I am pushing myself academically to a point of sleep deprivation (in a healthy 1L way). So... yes a higher ranked school may promise better opportunity career-wise, but that opportunity is not given and it will be fought over in a brutally intense way. And the unfortunate truth is... your best may not be good enough. I'm grateful that I was accepted but now I know that I am punching way above my weight and if I had gone to a school that matched my previous academic records better, I would not be in as much of a constant state of stress to perform at a level that is incredibly difficult to reach.

Now with applications going out in record numbers and LSAT scores sky rocketing higher than gas prices, incoming 1L classes at a T60 have numbers that would be reflective of the T14 not even 10 years ago — meaning you are competing with students of this caliber. So ultimately — better lawyers for the US, but much more competition while you are in school.

If all you want is a law degree and the ability to help people while working for a boutique firm, go to a solid school that give you a large discount and disregard the rankings. Something I definitely wish I did.

I sucked at the lsat and now I suck at law school. Everything feels so fucking foreign and its so frustrating and the later into the night I get for studying or righting fucking IRAC bullshit the less I understand.

Thanks it. Moderators please ban me for my terrible attitude.

Hey all,

I’m an incoming 1L at a top 50 ranked school (does have impressive placement into BL) but am starting to have very cold feet about going to law school. For more context, school will cost around $200K over 3 years (including COL) and I feel as though I’d need to get a BL job in order to make the ROI worth it. I was inspired to pursue law after entering probate from the passing of my father and now fortunately have just enough from his inheritance to ensure I have no debt but something now is telling me not to go. I do have an genuine interest and altruistic motive but am now worried about being tethered to billables, spending nearly all my emotionally-sought after inheritance, or just realizing it’s not a good match.

So I want to ask, for all the lawyers that aren’t the happiest with your jobs, why is that? Would you have changed anything? Is there any general advice you recommend for me?

Hi all. I (25M) night after night keep finding myself in the same anxiety driven paralysis of being stuck in life and not knowing what to do and thought it may be best to get perspective here.

I’m currently enrolled to being at a top #50 ranked law school in the fall which will cost about $200K over 3 years (including cost of living). I’m driven to attend law school for 3 main reasons: increase salary potential, find fulfillment in my work, become a probate/estate planning attorney and help others with after-death law (felt strong motivation to do this after thenpassing of my father and having to go through probate).

However, after taking nearly 2 years of taking the lsat and applying I’m severely second guessing my decision and don’t even know what I’d do instead of law school.

— First, the school is in my home city of which I’ve never left. I’ve always wanted to experience living in a new city and making it my own but now I feel like that will be out the window and it’s hard for me to stomach.
— Second, with the cost of attendance I’m now even more scared to commit financially with the second thoughts I’m having about staying in the city I’ve never left. I can’t rationalize paying so much money when I know there’s already one thing I will severely not enjoy about the experience.
— Third. I’ve never worked in a law firm. It could be possible that I really don’t like it and the whole thing was a waste. Is it worth paying $200K to find out? But on the other end, I also don’t know what careers I can get into to get a large salary with how tough housing costs are these days (I want to be able to buy a home in Los Angeles that isn’t in a sketch neighborhood or crappy).

Other things that run around my mind making this so much harder is:

— I’m in a 2 year relationship with my gf who I love with all my heart and feel she has to be taken into account for the decision (I.e if I decided to just drop everything and relocate)
— what would my parents, her parents, friends, mentors, etc, think after telling everyone I got into this school and that I am going?
— if I were to do anything else what would it even be? I worked in a non profit for 3 years and feel like I have no real hard skills that are translatable. Idk what I’d even do if I chose to go to a different graduate program.

The city thing is really a big deal for me and I think is the main thing holding me back. I just no I’m already going to regret this decision and it will always bother me…..

If anyone relates or has been in something similar, I would love to hear your thoughts.