Re: Now, the other big topic.jaycyMarch 21 2007, 21:42:03 UTC
Since I exceeded the character limit, I'll have to add this as a reply. (Wow, who knew I had so much to say?)
--------------------------------- Now, on to my suggestions. 1) Think long and hard about why you'd want to go to law school. While you don't have to practice law if you get the degree, you almost need to do so to repay the loans. 2) Talk to Jaclyn. 3) Think more about it. 4) Talk to employees at this contract law firm about their work. If you're thinking of going there, you need to know how the environment is going to be. Ask them what they do. 5) E-mail lawyers or call them to ask about their job - what they do, what they like about it, what they hate about, if they're having financial struggles because of the loans... anything related to law. 6) Shadow lawyers. Get in touch with them and ask to spend a day following them, or even a couple hours. 7) Volunteer at a law firm, or the court house. 8) Take an intro to paralegal studies class at a CC (honestly, I highly recommend this for anyone who's going to law school later, so they can get a general idea of things they'll be expected to know - if not do - and to have an idea of what their paralegals can and should be doing). 9) If you can, go to a CLE (continuing legal education). Lawyers are required to attend so many hours of them or something, and if you go to one that'd be related to your field, you can get more of an idea. 10) Explore other career options. Sit down and write a list of things you love, careers you've thought of, pros and cons to everything. 11) Come to my school on Friday at 4pm and take a free practice administration of the LSAT to get a better idea of how it works etc, because it really is relevant to law school skills (unlike the GRE and MCAT). I'll happily give you directions or even drive with you. ;) 12) Since your school has a Phi Alpha Delta chapter, go to their professional meetings. Go to their speakers. Hell, come to our speakers. I'll happily give you a list of when people are coming and what they're talking about. 13) Only apply and take a real administration of the LSAT if you decide it is something you REALLY want to do.
The one thing NOT to do:
DON'T go to law school because it's convenient and you think it'll automatically make your financial situation better. You'll end up miserable in the end.
Re: Now, the other big topic.jaycyMarch 21 2007, 21:55:05 UTC
One more thing - read the law_students and pre-law communities here on LJ. Law_students, especially, has tales from people who are in the classes and struggling with appellate briefs as we speak. Their stories can help give a better idea of law school hell, too.
---------------------------------
Now, on to my suggestions.
1) Think long and hard about why you'd want to go to law school. While you don't have to practice law if you get the degree, you almost need to do so to repay the loans.
2) Talk to Jaclyn.
3) Think more about it.
4) Talk to employees at this contract law firm about their work. If you're thinking of going there, you need to know how the environment is going to be. Ask them what they do.
5) E-mail lawyers or call them to ask about their job - what they do, what they like about it, what they hate about, if they're having financial struggles because of the loans... anything related to law.
6) Shadow lawyers. Get in touch with them and ask to spend a day following them, or even a couple hours.
7) Volunteer at a law firm, or the court house.
8) Take an intro to paralegal studies class at a CC (honestly, I highly recommend this for anyone who's going to law school later, so they can get a general idea of things they'll be expected to know - if not do - and to have an idea of what their paralegals can and should be doing).
9) If you can, go to a CLE (continuing legal education). Lawyers are required to attend so many hours of them or something, and if you go to one that'd be related to your field, you can get more of an idea.
10) Explore other career options. Sit down and write a list of things you love, careers you've thought of, pros and cons to everything.
11) Come to my school on Friday at 4pm and take a free practice administration of the LSAT to get a better idea of how it works etc, because it really is relevant to law school skills (unlike the GRE and MCAT). I'll happily give you directions or even drive with you. ;)
12) Since your school has a Phi Alpha Delta chapter, go to their professional meetings. Go to their speakers. Hell, come to our speakers. I'll happily give you a list of when people are coming and what they're talking about.
13) Only apply and take a real administration of the LSAT if you decide it is something you REALLY want to do.
The one thing NOT to do:
DON'T go to law school because it's convenient and you think it'll automatically make your financial situation better. You'll end up miserable in the end.
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