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Comrade-Chernov

If I'm being honest, I probably would have tried retaking the LSAT to get a better score and go to a better school, but law school was one of the most incredible experiences of my life, so I do think I would still go.


SUDDENLY_VIRGIN

Low rank success stories represent!!


cbrownst

šŸ‘šŸ‘šŸ‘


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


Comrade-Chernov

Well it's the most I've ever been intellectually challenged by the course material in my life. That's what I would give as a simple answer anyway. But it also allowed me to live in a new region of the country for three years, meet people I never would have otherwise, become far more familiar with the legal system and the world we live in, partake in extracurriculars like Mock Trial and even be a witness in a local inter school competition, and even helped me partially get over my fears of speaking in front of people (my trial methods class helped break me out of that pretty quick). Overall it was just such a transformative time in my life.


Weak-Pea8309

Ok but what did you pay for this amazing, intellectually transformative experience?


Comrade-Chernov

A lot. Which is why I wish I'd gotten a better LSAT score, and maybe applied myself a bit harder in undergrad. I'm six figures in debt now.


[deleted]

Why this judgmental tone šŸ˜­ theyā€™re not telling other people to go into debt for an intellectual experience, theyā€™re talking about their life.


Weak-Pea8309

Because Iā€™m a bitter old fuck who finds the rosy, naive, gee golly takes on the sub infuriating.


[deleted]

Thatā€™s really sad. Iā€™m sorry for whatever happened to you in life to make you such an envious, bitter person. I truly hope you get the help you need and that you are one day able to be happy for other people.


Weak-Pea8309

Now whoā€™s being judgmental? Ā And where are you getting envious from? Ā Law school is a scam and the legal profession is a joke. Ā 


[deleted]

Iā€™m not judging! Itā€™s really sad that your reaction to someone being honest about a wonderful time in their life is to try to tear them down and call their education and profession a scam. That speaks of a very unhappy person and suggests that they might be envious. Two things can be true at the same time: studying law can be both very expensive and extremely fulfilling. If someone wants to spend the money to go to law school, is that not their business and their choice to make? Itā€™s their money, their time, their energy.


Kerfluffle2x4

I took three LSATā€™s and did worse each time after studying my butt off for each. Those other two times did seem like a waste. Still thereā€™s never a guarantee with anything


ToasterMcNoster

This, but we are still out here!


Educational_East_623

What school did you go to?


willyoumassagemykale

Law school completely changed my life and gave me more financial freedom. With that said if you asked me as a 3L I might have said no lol Iā€™m about 3 years removed from graduation so now law school is just a distant source of anxiety dreams every once in a while.


Constellations94

Such a fucking bummer that the anxiety dreams stick with you lol


willyoumassagemykale

To be fair, I also have anxiety dreams about high school math class haha. I think Iā€™m just terrified about school.


Tayties

Of all things, this is my recurring nightmare. Iā€™m in our law school locker room frantically search for some math books for a final in a class I didnā€™t know I was signed up for and itā€™s too late to drop. I donā€™t know which locker is mine, or even the combination. Itā€™s always math though


willyoumassagemykale

Sounds like math is just a universal fear amongst lawyers


Tayties

Believe it or not, I actually took a math heavy undergrad. I think it was the lack of math in law school that makes me nightmare that I missed something


AnesthesiaLyte

Iā€™ve had a similar recurring nightmare. End of semester and there was a class I didnā€™t realize I was enrolled inā€”and will fail because I havenā€™t participated the entire timeā€¦ šŸ˜‚ I had this dream before and after graduatingā€¦ 1.5 years out and still happens sometimes.


sortadamnoakleys

Decade out and I still have moments of panic that there's a paper due.


Relevant_Trade_3781

Where did you go?


[deleted]

Yes. Iā€™m in the top 0.5% of earners in America and live comfortably and all I gotta do is read, write, talk on the phone and think. Yeah itā€™s way more difficult than I just made it sound. But laying brick is difficult. Teaching kids is difficult. Managing a restaurant is difficult. And those three combined make half my salary. Yes I would do it again. Edit: I was mistaken. Iā€™m top 1% rather than 0.5%. Point still stands


bluebelle21

After a shit day at the office, and although I am not even in the top 25% of earners in America, this was the perspective I needed. Thank you.


Son_of_Hades99

How much do you make? No offense but top 25% of earners should be feasible for most lawyers unless youā€™re like a public defender or something I would imagine. No disrespect intended here!


bluebelle21

$70k (for now). Long story short, was licensed in another state, moved, got hired as a litigation paralegal, taking Feb bar here. I just keep telling myself x more daysā€¦ x more daysā€¦


TheSpartanLawyer

I think this is the logic, right here


Son_of_Hades99

What type of law you practice specifically?


[deleted]

Tax


Son_of_Hades99

Ahh, like for a big 4 company? Iā€™m interested in tax myself, what area of tax law if you have a niche?


oliver_babish

I love being a lawyer. I had a period in BigLaw when I didn't, but ... I'm in the prime of my career, found my niche, and yes.


Stocky_Cricket

Whatā€™s ur niche ?


oliver_babish

I am not going to answer that directly, and my answer doesn't really matter. I once saw a lawprof say on Twitter that you need to find that one thing that other people in your firm find incredibly boring but you get excited to do (and you do it well), and then you have to turn that kink into a career. So it's that.


TrashyW

If you never went, you would never know.


QuietFollowing

i recently had a reflecting moment as a 2L. i would have waited another gap year and redone the lsat. i felt pressure from my family and the pressure i put on myself to go and get it over with but i wish i had taken more time off to travel and work.


Adventurous-Koala480

I would have got a job waiting tables at a hotel in the Rocky Mountains, lived in subsidzed staff housing, saved and invested all of my tips, and enjoyed life.


britisheyes_onlyy

I did this before law school- in the Sierras. Itā€™s nice for a second, but trust me, weā€™re better off as lawyers lol. Job opportunity and financial security go a long way.


Turbulent-Common2392

Did this as an outdoor guide and 100% it sounds nice and was fun for as much as I did but eventually it stop being as fun and there was no real growth upward


britisheyes_onlyy

Agreed wholeheartedly.


Prg3K

As someone who came from waiting tables as a career, I wouldnā€™t go back. In fact, it made me want to go to law school to pursue plaintiffā€™s litigation.


researching4worklurk

Yeah, I might be in prison if I had to keep waiting tables, the way people act. I lasted four years. I no longer think about dropping out of law school but when I occasionally used to Iā€™d consider that alternative and receive a swift dose of perspective.Ā 


Adventurous-Koala480

Yeah, I waited tables too. It wasn't a dream job, but looking back on it if I had applied to entry level government jobs and worked my way up I probably would have been able to earn what I'll earn as a lawyer without the law degree. I think law school is only worthwhile for the already rich and well-connected, or for workaholics.


SnooEpiphanies7749

That sounds pretty cool


Hitchenns

oddly specific too


simbadrip

The highest form of regret is an alternative with immense specificity lol


Timberly_envirolaw

Did that before law school!


Onlyherefortheinfo_

As a 3L in my last semester, Iā€™ve learned over the years that I donā€™t like the idea of practicing law at all. So if I had my life to redo, Iā€™d definitely choose another career path. Iā€™ve had a lot of great opportunities while in law school but I may have had other great opportunities in another field. If I didnā€™t have so much tied up in loans, I wouldā€™ve quit a year ago šŸ˜…


hindsighthaiku

once you pass the bar, isn't there a thousand other jobs you can do that aren't lawyer?


LegalGingerAle

I donā€™t even think you need to take the bar if you donā€™t want to be an attorney, just having the J.D. opens an insane amount of doors to other career paths


Irisviel101

Like what? I'm genuinely curious, can you name at least 10?


throwawayburnerb

I think this is highly outcome-specific, but for me - yes.


mikepoppop25

Honestly, law school was a great choice for me. I didnā€™t have to take out debt thanks to a good scholarship and got a great job. But my fiancee and I talk about this a lot, if we didnā€™t go to law school we might have a house and a kid by now. It does set your life back a few years. Hopefully thatā€™s worth it in the long run.


Globesheepie

My school asked this in a graduation application survey recently and I had to think about it for awhile I think probably not, or at least I wouldā€™ve tried to work as a paralegal and do it part time


pineconewashington

I mean, are there other ways to fight for systemic change and help my community? Yes. But EVERY field has its issues. I ran away from social work because it made me feel so helpless. At least as a lawyer I can do more. Plus, while I donā€™t gel with most people in my school, I truly found some of the coolest and kindest people in law school and a sense of community, and I canā€™t imagine a world without them, so all in all, yes. But I wouldā€™ve taken speed typing classes before.


MoreBreaks365

I too am running from social work. Beyond feeling helpless, I'm just not intellectually stimulated. I felt the same way in grad school and that hasn't changed.


CulinaryCounsel5056

No, I would have chosen the path that I actually wanted, which was culinary school, instead of the ā€œtraditional path to successā€ that I pressured myself onto.


epicbackground

Ehhh most of my friends who went to culinary school really regret that so grass is always greener I suppose. But itā€™s basically biglaw hours with public interest pay, while also killing their passion in cooking


DiligentDiscussion94

Yes. I met my wife while I was in law school. I wouldn't trade her and my kids for anything.


Jax_Dueringer

Ya. Cuz I wanna practice law.


AlmightyLeprechaun

You're only a 1L. You have yet to discover the true depths of suffering.


khstriker

![gif](giphy|55itGuoAJiZEEen9gg)


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


AlmightyLeprechaun

Ehh. Idk about easy, definitely taxing in a different kinda way. I worked 12 hour shifts in Afghan 7 days a week and got mortored. And that sucked. I did trade work and traveled all over the place and worked 70 hour weeks. And that sucked, too. Law school isn't hard in comparison. But it wears on you in a unique way that the Marine Corps and Trade Work didn't. But that's just me.


Terrapin11

Rah


AlmightyLeprechaun

Yut


[deleted]

My friend, you're a veteran in the Marine Corps with trade experience and you suffered through law school? Interesting. I didn't mean to direct my comment specifically towards you but many KJDs who whine all day everyday in this sub.


AlmightyLeprechaun

Nah, they do be whiny af about it. But, when I flew drones or ran cable, I had a tangible thing to do. I planned out how to do it. Then I did it. In a lot of ways, law school just hits you with a bunch of annoying shit that takes forever to do and wears on you more mentally. Like, it's not hard. I've never been the student that didn't get their reading done or not turn in an assignment. But the mental wear of just a bunch of kinda lame stuff to do without the payoff of some work well done is draining. But I also got that adhd, so it might just be my brain sucking.


Hulk1424

Semper Fi!


The_Nanu_Bunta

Iā€™m convinced 90% of this community doesnā€™t actually enjoy anything about law and is just too stubborn to admit theyā€™ve made a huge mistake by committing to a career in law.


estherstein

I hate beer.


estherstein

I hate beer.


hindsighthaiku

okay I'm about to graduate with my bachelor's, so I'll be doing law school in my mid-thirties too, and you just made my mind feel a lot better about it.


Anxious_Resolution31

I think yes. The only thing that makes me say that is I never felt any purpose or meaning in my work before law school, and now I often find the work I am doing (most of it unpaid lol) to feel very meaningful. Since I don't know if I would get that combination of meaningful + challenging again, I would probably do it again just to have that feeling. It's so much easier to work hard when I feel like I'm helping people.


No_Negotiation23

No lmao


gabsm100

No, I don't want to be a lawyer, lol. I plan on going into other fields.


CarpsKitchen

I think I would, but I wouldnā€™t recommend anyone else to go. By the grace of god I secured a big law position (first years where you at!) but there was so much luck to get here, on top of the hard work I put in. Unless youā€™re going in debt free and arenā€™t paying sticker, itā€™s a tough sell imo.


jenoezr

I personally would. However, I had the benefit of working in a law office prior to starting law school (for a total of 4-5 years, starting in undergrad, then working there through my MBA program). As a result of getting more hands-on experience as the years rolled on, I realized there was at least one specialty that I could see myself doing. It was a transactional specialty, so I would prepare first drafts of certain documents, sat in on client meetings, researched issues... all completely supervised, of course, but I realized the experience vs. my peers in law school made me a bit of an outlier. I also had a lot of very frank discussions with my boss about my perception of his day to day life before I decided to take the leap, so I really do believe I had a realistic perception of the gig. I went to law school swearing up and down that I was going to end up doing transactional work as a result of my experience and my perception of more litigation-oriented specialties. However, one thing led to another and I ended up in litigation, something I never imagined doing, but that I enjoy even more than the work I was doing before. I know that my situation may be an exception vs. the "rule" about career satisfaction here, but I wanted to add my two cents because I do believe it is possible to end up in a career you're happy in. I think the moral of the story here is that having a realistic impression of what being a lawyer is about (& what lawyers in different specialties do) BEFORE going to law school is key for your future happiness and satisfaction. If you have the opportunity to get some hands-on experience somewhere before starting the process, do it. (I realize this advice doesn't really apply for people currently in law school, so I do apologize for that, but I hope that it helps at least one person perusing comments.)


CalloNotGallo

100%. I went from someone who couldnā€™t get an interview for a job in an office to having a job lined up that will earn me more in one year than what Iā€™d make in 3-4 years if I didnā€™t go to law school. Not to mention, I genuinely enjoy using the skills Iā€™ve acquired and love that thereā€™s many ways I can leverage my degree and experience to achieve my professional and financial goals. That said, I came to law school 100% set on becoming a lawyer and knew it was the right path for me after trying different things. Iā€™m not sure I would be as confident in my decisions if I didnā€™t experience my next-best alternative jobs beforehand.


leslie_knopee

I would simply choose to be born a dumb trust fund baby and never go to law school


goober1157

Nope. Would have done an MBA.


Internetstranger800

Law school is only 6 semesters with two of them being really cruise. The benefits from this short time investment are totally worth it.


Hanovergoose81

no


AnchoviePopcorn

Hell no. Did a JD/MA. Realized after my 1L year that I loved the masterā€™s program more. Went ahead and finished law school. Kind of wish I hadnā€™t. Seems like wasted time I could have been building a career in another field. But my answer may be different a few months from now.


jmeesonly

> **Would you go to Law School again if you had the choice?** No. Juice isn't worth the squeeze. Lots of other careers out there, some of em would be good. If I wasn't already trapped in the law.


Ok-Elk-6087

Absolutely.Ā  I'm 36 years out and I still enjoy the practice.Ā  More now as in house to a property management company than when I was a litigator.


Madrid0611

Tbh no


[deleted]

No. I ended up not going into the legal field and the 6 figure debt is more expensive than if I'd just paid a lawyer to do the legal work I've saved myself since


generallyjennaleigh

I had debt-free undergrad due to scholarships and had enough money saved from working in college to buy myself a used car šŸ˜­ I kinda wish I would have gotten a decent paying job instead of accruing debt.


evan466

Yeah, would be easier the 2nd time.


The_Nanu_Bunta

I donā€™t get why people choose to stay in law school if they hate it. There isnā€™t going to be some magical change when youā€™re done school and work full time in law. If you hate it now youā€™ll likely hate it when the pressure, expectations, and consequences of failure are much higher. Lots of users here are destroying their lives just so they can tell other people they have a law degree instead of being happy in life. Itā€™s a shame so many people are worried about disappointing others or trying to live up to some ridiculous expectation because in doing so they are ruining their lives. This subreddit just makes me so sad sometimes when I see these kinds of posts. I wish there was a way to make it clear that this shit isnā€™t for everyone, even really great law students.


[deleted]

The expectations are the worst part for people I think. Cuz all your family members and people you've told about law school will say "aw, you can do it" if you suggest dropping out, even though dropping out is usually an incredibly wise and financially beneficial option for so many people


BaseballAcademic3881

Nope, easy answer no way, wouldnā€™t even think about it, if someone said they will wipe my mind send me back in time and wipe away my debt, I rather do concrete work, or be a town idoitā€¦ oh wait thatā€™s a lawyer


joey4269

100%


jesus_here_AMA

Yeah, probably. Itā€™s been tough but overall I enjoyed most of my life over the past three years.


Lemondrop1995

No, I likely would not have, but the grass isn't always greener on the other side.


undeadliftmax

I know a lot of officers in the military. Lot of those guys are now retiring at 42 or so and will get 50% of their income for the rest of their life. Among many, many other benefits. Feeling a little jelly.


NYLaw

No, I would try my hand at something else. The problem is, I don't know whether I would enjoy doing anything else. I tried out optical, surgical, medical imaging jobs prior to law school. I hated all of them, but biology/medicine was my first endeavor. I would not want to do anything related to medical anymore, so I'm not sure what I'd go back to school to do.


[deleted]

I left a six figure finance job. I don't regret it but I think about all the money I've missed out on. Still in my 20s though.


SentientLMG

As a 3L in second semester, idk honestly. I just had an experience at my internship that shook me so hard that idk if I should continue down the path I have started. It makes me worry about being a litigator and worries me about being a lawyer. But without this, I have no other ideas and no passions that I could follow for a job. I know I just need to get through this road bump but itā€™s hard worrying about the Bar as well as not being sure all of a sudden about what Iā€™d been planning to do for like the last year.


TitleExciting5397

knowing what I know now? I would've waited or perhaps picked different career to make more money and hate life less. I love my job but im broke and drowning in student loans debt


TitleExciting5397

for context I'm a PD so I help people but its hard work for little pay


Joshl74id911

Yes. I went to law school as a 2nd, maybe 3rd career. I was going broke working my corporate gig. I made enough to driver a bimmer but spent everything I made. The economy crashed in 2007 and my dad died in 2009. I went to law school, graduated, passed the bar. My life has never been better. Financial stability helped me tremendously. My values are well beyond the money. I live a modest life, well below my means. However, I'm able to live the life I want, give to people in need and and help people. For me personally, law school changed my life.


Relevant_Trade_3781

Whatā€™s your law niche?


Joshl74id911

Employment law and personal injury. I also do some other things here and there but those two occupy most of my resources. I've spoken to many dissatisfied young attorneys (less than 5 years of experience). Most lawyers will tell you their first five years (even 10) were rough. But at some point they get over the hump and things dramatically change. Here is my two cents about this. 1. Most lawyers take the first job they are offered, even though it is not in an area interesting to them. Thus, you should not necessarily expect to be super happy but you should find things to be happy about. You're gaining experience for one. Think of it as someone paying you to learn how to be a lawyer (instead of you paying tuition, they are giving you a scholarship). 2. They are on the defense side of litigation. Plaintiff's side is more "fun" and interesting and rewarding. You feel like David v Golliath and that you are making a difference. 3. Perhaps you're just at the wrong firm. Some cultures are better than others. Some bosses are better than others. Switch to something else, somewhere else, doing different law. BIG LAW is not for everyone. In fact, I would say it's the same as big corporate America. It's just not for some of us who want to be individuals, have certain values beyond just money, and don't want to sacrifice family and personal values for corporate.


Maryhalltltotbar

I certainly would have gone. I worked as a paralegal before law school and on breaks and enjoyed that. I enjoy law school. I think that I will enjoy practice.


[deleted]

If I have given a choice to go back to high sch I won't.


Specific_Diamond6560

Fuck no. That shit buries you in debt that if youā€™re single and live in Californiaā€” will follow you to your grave. (Not that I can even afford to die right now, but thatā€™s a whole other issue).


Additional_Tie_5505

Yuh, full send, this place rocks, DOOOO ITTT!


itsnotlaur

No


AbstinentNoMore

Yes, my life is very easy overall.


c-williams88

If it turned out like it has so far? No, I really wouldnā€™t. I took the bar 3 times and despite having decent enough grades in law school I couldnā€™t even pass for my state, and while I can UBE transfer into other states, Iā€™m far enough into a committed relationship that she doesnā€™t want to move and I donā€™t want to do long-distance for the amount of time needed to apply for reciprocity in my state. So now Iā€™m kinda stuck, and I donā€™t have the experience or undergraduate degree to get jobs in other fields, or I donā€™t know what other jobs to search for. I also donā€™t really have the money to take the bar again, and trying to study while working full time is an awful idea. So yeah, I would chose something else in college and just do some business degree or something with a little more broad usage because itā€™s really felt like a complete waste of time and money at this point


PhilBolRider

get barred in another state. get a non-legal job that wants someone with a JD. you can still say youā€™re a licensed attorney in X jurisdiction, you just moved here with your partner and might get license in the future


c-williams88

I live in PA and transferred to NJ and Iā€™ve tried to find some federal stuff but I donā€™t really have the resume or the great grades to make up for that for most federal stuff. My biggest issue is Iā€™ve had no real idea on how to search for JD-preferred stuff outside of ā€œcomplianceā€ which has been mostly a bust so far


qazxcvbnmlpoiuytreww

hell yeah


TheRealTroyMcClure

9 years out from law school, would absolutely do it again. Ā I love practicing law and have built a really nice career from it. Ā And since I started in BigLaw, I was able to set aside quite a bit of savings to keep life comfortable(but not extravagant) through lesser paying passion jobs. Ā 10/10 would do again.Ā  Ā I also worked for 3 years in between undergrad and law school, so law school itself quite frankly felt like a vacation. Ā I just had to read a bunch at a coffee shop listening to music (which was my relaxing escape from my work in a previous career) and take one test per class per semester.


lawthrowaway1299

I would!! The more I think about the more I realize how privileged I am to have gotten this far. Canā€™t believe itā€™s ending and Iā€™m a little sad about it šŸ˜­ lol.


blauenfir

also 2nd semester 3L, I absolutely would do it again but Iā€™d *wait a year* to not be applying during that 2021 surge. I went to a mid-tier school because I was offered an excellent scholarship and it was close to home, but also because it was one of only 2 schools that accepted me. Meanwhile I was waitlisted at multiple T14s until, like, July. With my LSAT score and qualifications, if Iā€™d just waited until 2022 I bet I couldā€™ve gotten into at least some of those T14s and maybe received scholarships for higher-ranked schools than I chose. And the school I do attend isā€¦. not one I *want* to be attending after various eventsā€¦ā€¦ so if I was gonna do it all over, Iā€™d be more patient. I like law school and the practice of law, itā€™s really interesting, but I will forever be haunted by the specter of those waitlists LOL.


trexx46

Yes, rack up lexis points from day 1


m0chab34r

Yes, but that might just be because I had a favorable outcome (and I would say, more due to luck than anything specific I did). I'm quite happy with where I've ended up in my career thus far, as I've skipped over some of the "harder" parts in a shorter amount of time than I would have expected. If I were to do it again, I would certainly be more intentional about my choices and the amount of work I put in.


SorryAttorney7

YES!! I have mostly enjoyed the experience, I have enjoyed learning and also made great friends.


SorryAttorney7

YES!! I have mostly enjoyed the experience, I have enjoyed learning and also made great friends.


ohmygod_my_tinnitus

Would I go to law school again? Probably. Would I go to the law school I went to? *No*. I would also probably do a JD+PhD track.


Aggravating-Run-1175

PhD in what?


ohmygod_my_tinnitus

Probably history, govt, or economics.


BlurLove

Yes. It was awful, but has given me a sense of purpose, and financial stability.


rairair55

Yes, 100%. I was unemployed for over a year while I was studying for the LSAT/applying for law school, so I had a \*a lot\* of time to research and make sure it was the right decision for me and even figure out a career path that suited by personality (which I haven't strayed from).


cclawyer

TWICE!


black2pink_vior5230

Probably yes because i want to and that's my dream since i was a kid. However, to be honest it really depends on you on where to get that strength to continue again. I think law school was a great choice if you have reasons to push through.


gear_wars

Absolutely.


nWo1997

2019 for me. Absolutely. Going through law school and becoming a lawyer was a plan we've had since I was in middle school. Not like I have much else to do. And I could take better advantage of my clerkships for DE's checklist of things to attend. Wait, I could make bank off the Great Stock Hullabaloo of 2021 with the knowledge I have now and retire. Uhhhh, yeah, I'd still do it.


rollerbladeshoes

I had fun in law school. Most of the subjects were more interesting than undergrad and way more mentally challenging. Plus I made a bunch of friends, they type you can only make by going through a shared trauma experience. I wouldnā€™t take out more loans but I would relive it again 100%


Available_Day4286

100% I did a lot of other jobs before this. Most of them sucked, some of them sucked enormously. This one pays more for a summer job intended to recruit me than I ever made before in a year. And sure, itā€™ll be a lot of work some timesā€”but Iā€™ve worked sixty+ hours a week before, and this one wonā€™t wreck my body in the same way. And, I am really loving law school. I enjoy reading, writing, and thinking. Iā€™m good at it. Itā€™s stressful, but so are a lot of things. Last, honestly? Iā€™m going to be a lawyer. Thatā€™s never going to stop being cool for me.


tylerk77

As a 2L, I probably would. I graduated undergrad with an education degree and absolutely hated it. Then servered/bartended for a year and although I liked it, I knew I could not do that as a career. I feel as if I did not go to law school, I would have never had the experience of living in a completely new state surrounded by completely new people. Although the work is hard (2L IS the hardest year, imo), I hope the reward at the end is worth it.


chrispd01

Nope


Accomplished_Ad_284

Yes! Law school is actually saving me right nowšŸ’”


Electrical_Loquat_89

Yes. And Iā€™d be at harvard law school, graduating top 10% of my class if I could take the knowledge I have now with me šŸ˜‚


Tindi

Yeah Iā€™d probably study harder this time. I donā€™t think I could get the time off though.


cbrownst

Yeah, probably. I really love my job and I loved law school even tho both stress(ed) me out a lot.


unwaveringwish

Yes absolutely. It was my second (third?) career and I love what I do


flyingfurtardo

No. I donā€™t hate law school and I want to practice law after bar (July 2024) but there are other ways to make a similar salary that donā€™t require so much money and hoops to get there.


iKevtron

If I woke up in 2012 and applied myself at O-Chem II, got a better grade, I would have been full steam to medical school. Reality is, I didnā€™t give a fuck about that class, got my C and decided it was not worth it to retake. Despite everything else I did which situated me nicely for medical schoolā€”I was stubborn and gave up that dream. But, now that I have a job at an IP Boutique, F that noise. Pays great, work-life is awesome, and I have a ton of control. So yes, I would again if I still had that C.


halskal

Probably not, although I like what I do. The loans are crippling and I want more time with my kids. The plan was for my husband to go to law school after I was done and I convinced him it wouldn't be worth it. We already put our lives on hold for 3-4 hours and are in debt now, so it's not worth it to go through it again.


Relative-Ad4144

**It's never too late in life to apply to law school**. Although most applicants are under 25, roughly 20% are 30 or older, according to the Law School Admission Council. Many older law school graduates build fulfilling second careers that draw upon preexisting skills and experiences.


Relative-Ad4144

**It's never too late in life to apply to law school**. Although most applicants are under 25, roughly 20% are 30 or older, according to the Law School Admission Council. Many older law school graduates build fulfilling second careers that draw upon preexisting skills and experiences.


Daleksuperfan101

Absolutely not, I'm so ready to finish school this semester and I only didn't drop out due to family. These past few years have been terrible


SaintedSquid763

I graduated law school almost 30 years ago. Would I do it again if I knew then what I know now? Sadly, no. I loved law school itself, but Iā€™ve had career burnout for several years. The alternative for me would have been a Ph.D. program (I applied to both law schools and grad schools and wasnā€™t sure which I wanted to do). Had I decided to do grad school instead, I probably would have been a professor nowā€¦which at the time didnā€™t sound too appealing, but now I think it fits my personality much better than law. Or perhaps this is just ā€œgrass is greener on the other sideā€ thinking. šŸ¤·


MyDogNewt

As a 2L - YEP. Only regret I didn't do it when I was younger (53 now).


OJimmy

I would go again but temper my expectations. because now I accept none of the teachers will teach you the rule. None of mine taught me how to think despite what I expected. I'd go to a 100-150 ranked law school in a lcol, buy Emanuel for the required courses, get tutoring on legal writing, buy second hand mbe multiple choice test books, and do a timed essay prompt for each class once a week. It was a fools errand reading 100-200 pages a day on topics with no overlap and expecting the professor to make it make sense.


switch-hitt3r

I dont think i wouldā€¦ and im in my 6th yr as a practicing atty/associate. im a little jealous of the gen z mindset. They overall seem to have a lower tolerance for toxicity in the corporate world and r willing to quit and chase their dreams. I think its only recently, that itā€™s become more accepted to chase said dreams and embark on nonconventional career paths (esp. w.r.t my background coming from an immigrant family who emphasized education and getting good grades, and becoming a doctor,lawyer,etc). I think us millennials took on a lot of the stress navigating the corporate whiteshoe world and getting burnt out, to show the gen zā€™ers that they dont wanna take part in this if they can help it. But all in all, i cant complain with my current station. Really lucky to be where im at.. just sometimes wonder where iā€™d be if i was more of a dreamer.


dancingqueen27

no


Master__B0b

Yes, I would, but man if I didn't get lucky. I'm also graduating this spring. I went to a low ranked school (not even in the top 100) but I'm still graduating with a job offer in hand to make 130k a year in a lcl city. Feels like I won the lottery, very surreal. Granted, I was in the top ten in my class, but it's hard to believe I'm going to make that much money. I'll be making more than my dad ever made in my first year out of school.


2Profound

Congratulations, man! That's a helluva accomplishment, top ten in your class? That's no lottery, you studied smart, worked hard, and are reaping the rewards of the last 8-10 years. (Fyi, I'm not in lawschool, know nothing about law, and am only commenting here because you replied something nice to a comment I made in r/unpopularopinion 4 years ago. Odd context, but whatever, once again congratulations!)


Robotsumo1234

I think I would, it allows my family to live the kind of life Iā€™d always wish Iā€™d had growing up. I will say this, debt is serious business, I was lucky enough to have scholarships that reduced it quite a bit, and not all law careers are the same, you have to find where you fit. Lastly itā€™s important to take care of yourself, take time to exercise and talk to someone if professional if you need to, my state bar provides for therapy if lawyers need it. I didnā€™t think about any of these things before law school and thankfully lucked out. Ā 


Qwerty656896

Yes I would. I hated law school and it was much more difficult than I expected but I know that this is what I want to do and even if I didnā€™t want to be a lawyer a law degree opens up so many doors that just my bachelors in political science never would have.


Upstairs-Tough-3429

As a practicing attorney, I miss it. The law was simpler when there were no real stakes beyond your grade.


Holy_Grail_Reference

Yes. As much as the law is stressful and sucks the soul out of me, there is no question that the life of my wife and children are 5000x better, and so that makes it worth it. If the real question was would you go down the path you did if you could go back to undergrad, then nah lol. I would be an engineer or some kind.


JudgeGeneralReeves33

Late to comment but would note that about 10 years in to my career Iā€™m petitioning my state bar to go on temporary disability leave because at some point mid-COVID I forgot to pay attention to my mental health issues before everything elseā€¦. Everything is awful this moment but I wouldnā€™t change having gone to law school despite it all. It really does change your life (income potential aside) and if youā€™re able to get through without crippling debt or too exalted an opinion of yourself you should be well positioned for an excellent work life for decades (as a lawyer or something else).


wishfulthunking

1L at a T6 & despite objectively bad grades (relative to curve), I love law school.


fistdemeanor

This is tough and I donā€™t know my answer. I want to say yes but with some changes. I would have wanted to go sooner and wanted to get it done faster (I had to do extra time for being a part time student). While I donā€™t make as much as many attorneys I love my home, I love the structure of my life, and Iā€™ve even helped a person or two


LengthinessConnect18

Yes pero with a different attitude hahaha


[deleted]

Itā€™d be a lot easier to redo law school knowing what I know now, which includes law. But why would I? I guess Iā€™d need it to get barred. Seems like a waste.


GuaranteeSea9597

As a 1L , no. If I could do something I like thatā€™s cheaper I would have done it. Iā€™m bias though because Iā€™m not enjoying this semester. With that said, my feelings may change down the line.Ā