What to Consider Before Going to Law School

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What to Consider Before Going to Law School
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The field of law has often been considered prestigious. It's a great option for all different skill sets. There are several things to consider before deciding where the best place is to get your degree. The right one will open many career doors. When you find a potential school, ask yourself why you want to go there. You want to apply to the best ones, but you'll need to find a program to fit your situation and meet your needs.

What's the Job Market?

Know what you want to get out of your career and how you'll get there. Look at employment trends for the schools you are considering. That includes employment rates and the salaries graduates are making. Ask each one the kinds of jobs graduates are getting and how many passes the bar exam. You'll want to pick a school whose graduates have long-term, full-time jobs shortly after graduation. If many are getting short-term jobs, they may be struggling in the job market. Luckily, if you pick the right school, you can often find a high-paying job once you get your degree. So, if you're struggling to pay for school now, don't be afraid to take out private student loans. It might prevent you from having to get a job or lose sleep over finances during your education, and you can pay them back after graduation.

Look at the Geography

Where do you want to live and practice law after graduation? That can give you some insight as to where you go. Many law schools have strong recruiting relationships and alumni networks in certain cities or states. Sometimes these relationships are obvious, but they aren't always. Don't be afraid to ask what part of the country you'll have the best chances of getting a job in after graduation. Some industries may have a strong presence in certain areas. For instance, if you are passionate about social work and want to work for an advocacy group, look for a school that sends graduates to Washington, D.C. On the other hand, if you are interested in energy law, consider getting your degree near Louisiana or Texas. Ask the admissions counselors where many graduates end up.

What is Your Return on Investment?

Higher education is expensive, and there's no exception when it comes to getting a law degree. Do some research to see what your salary might be after going to a certain school. That way, you can think objectively about how much debt you want to go into. If you are interested in working in public service, consider career paths that offer loan forgiveness.

Look at Your Scores

Your college GPA and LSAT scores will determine which law schools accept you. Look at their target and average score numbers. If you aren't close to meeting the threshold, consider taking time to boost your LSAT score. And if you still have time, try to boost your college GPA. Otherwise, look for others whose target and average score numbers are closer to your own.

Further Reading:

US Law Schools

Harvard Law School Bar Examination Guidance

Bar Examination Preparation

Bar Examination Pass Rates and Related Statistics from around the US

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